Dyslexia

I understand completely. My daughter has dyslexia, she is 14 now we didn't know about it until we moved to TX from OK when she was in the 4th grade 5 years ago. The school tested her quickly and got her into classes to help her. Get your child tested soon for if you wait to long it just makes it harder on them to learn from it. Its not so bad of a problem its just something they need to address early to help them. If you get help early it makes things easier for your child.

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You are right about the difference between placed and promoted - placed means simply that, he didn't meet the requirements for second grade but it was felt to be in his best interest to be put there (for various reasons). When you say one level, do you mean one grade level or one reading level? Many schools measure reading ability by using a DRA test and a level in the DRA is not the same as a grade level. Another question would be is he doing well in other academic areas such as math and writing. Usually school districts will not check for dyslexia until second grade (I believe that is the policy in Ft. Bend). You could always have a private group test for this. If you feel you are being brushed off by the teacher, contact the school counselor and asked him/her about at what point the school will check for dyslexia. The counselor should be able to tell you that information.

Being a teacher myself, I would like to give his teacher the benefit of the doubt and say she might be seeing other things that she feels is keeping him from reading as well. You might try asking her if about this. His teacher should be communicating to you what areas he is having trouble in and giving recommendations on how you can help. Also, if he is being placed you should have been receiving information documenting his lack of progress.

I will say this, a parent has to be the child strongest advocate. If you see an issue, continue to ask until you get an answer (not a brush off), keeping in mind it may not always be the answer you are looking for. I wish you good luck.

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I was diagnosed with Dyslexia when I was in the 4th grade, the teacher was suprised that he had not been diagnosed before that. I would say that he is not to young at all. I was in Pflugerville schools and they provided no tested or special classes for dyslexia so we went out and found a place on our own. The Scottish Rite Learning Center here in Austin. They provided me with specialized reteaching of reading skills for and hour everyday. My mom was commited to doing this for me so she pulled me out of school for 2 hours everyday so I could attend the classes which were held in the building all the way downtown near the UT campus. It was well worth it though by they end of the program I was reading higher than some of my class mates.

I believe the center is now located near the new Dell Children's Hospital.

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I have dyslexia, I've had it since I was in the frist grade. I was tested, in the frist grade. I would test him and see what happends. Its nothing bad, sometimes you out grow it like my sister did, other times you learn to live with it and take your time doing things, like I did. I would test him. Go to the principal and talk to hinm or her to see if you can do something or get the testing sooner.

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No, he is not too young to test. Request that the school test his for learning disablities - most dyslexic children have more than 1 issue. Request the paperwork and demand testing ASAP. They have up to 60 days to test and it may take them longer to act on results. The school district by law must provide a free and APPROPRIATE public education and if they are not testing these children until 3rd grade they are not complying with law. (IDEA/NCLB)
Placing a child in a grade is social promotion and unacceptable. I have a dyslexic 8yr old that was finally tested in 2nd grade after year long fight with school administrators. Don't be afraid to advocate for your child. Ask for copies of his file and request testing immediately. Hang in there and fight, its the best thing to do for our kids.

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