Assessment for Dyslexia!!!!

Updated on February 02, 2008
L.H. asks from Elk Grove, CA
5 answers

I am so angry! I just found out that the going rate in my area/state for private assessment for Dyslexia is $5,000! And that's just for a legal assessment and diagnosis, not help... That's thousands of dollars more per subject! We don't have anywhere near that amount of money, so we won't be doing it... But we can't just sit back and watch our son fail the 4th grade, especially when we work with him so much and see how he's trying so hard! We are looking into getting an advocate to go back to the school with to demand proper assessment, diagnosis, and help. I think we've found one that can get up what we need... She's a Dyslexic son and knows what it's like, and she's a little like a bulldog with bark and bite if you know what I mean... She also works for a special education lawyer so we will have that in our back pocket if you know what I mean. After we are done getting what we need for our son, we will go back at them to get what we need for our youngest daughter. I refuse to give up on my children! It just shouldn't be this hard!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I have found out that our local Sacramento State University has The Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services (CCDS) and they assess for learning disabilities for $200. Their website is at www.edweb.csus.edu.com or e-mail at ____@____.com their phone ###-###-#### I've sent an e-mail to them asking if they test for Dyslexia, and if so, if their diagnosis is honored in our court of law, and if diagnosed with Dyslexia or a learning diability, do they offer support as to what we do from there... I'll let you know what happens...This is such a roller coaster! I found out that an advocate can end up costing me as much in the long run as the $5,000 private assessment! I also found out the information I found out about the University is true and we have scheduled our son for assessment, but the problem is that they are booked through the spring so we are scheduled for Fall of 08'! He may have failed the 4th grade by then! I also found out from the university that the tests the school did on my son... the "Bender" = significant delay and a possible visual processing problem and motor skill problem (yet the school went no further into it), the "BASC" = ADD, the "BRIEF" = ADD, the "WISC IV" = normal, and the "WCJ III" = normal, none of them address Dyslexia, are old, basic, and have been found to not be effective at diagnosing anything. I am going to try and contact the person that told me about the university because she is a Sac. psychologist and she said that she knows people who assess for about $1,000 to $2,000. That is still a lot of money, but a fraction of $5,000. Money is an issue, but so is time... Worse case, he gets assessed in the Fall...

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I work with the school district (Sac City Unified and Elk Grove Unified) in the scope of my work duties. My job is to go to IEP meetings with families and help them to advocate for their children. Over the years, I have learned that there are some key legal terms to use when talking to your child's IEP team or school administrators. Be sure to remind the school/district that your child is entitled to a Free and APPROPRIATE Public Education. This is referred to as FAPE in the educational world. Also, you can let them know that you feel that your child is having difficulty "accessing the curriculum" and remind them that it is their duty as part of FAPE to make sure that your child is able to "access the curriculum", and that means problem solving what it is that is making it difficult for your child to "access the curriculum". Using these terms will let the district know that you are not to be taken lightly and that you are doing your homework. Another really good resource for special education law in Protection and Advocacy, Inc. You can pick up a copy of the special education laws from their office or look at them and download them online. I wish you luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi Lyla,
We live in Elk Grove, also. My husband is 64 and is dyslexic, also. Be encouraged, as he is getting along fairly well. True, he doesn't read a lot, but he has no problem reading his racecar magazines. There must be help outthere, but when he was young, they didn't even know what dyslexia was. I just want to encourage you, as it is possible to live life with it. Blessings, J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't blame you for being angry -- you have every right to be so.

My advice is to request an IEP assessment. Write a letter to whoever is in charge of the school district's special education (usually a director) and request assessment for dyslexia. Keep a copy of EVERYTHING from here on out...if you'd like, contact me through my website (my email address is there) and I'll give you more info.

Don't despair. The schools often do make it as hard as possible to get services, so you need to know how to work them. Don't give up, it will all be okay!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes a good private assessment is $5000. That is exactly what I paid. However you can get a lesser assessment done through your public school system for free. You must request a IEP and an assessment through the Special Ed department of your district. By law they have 90 days (or something like that) to respond to your request.

Yes it is a lot of money to get a private assessment however you have to look at it like a medical bill. You need this assessment so you know how to help the child. Without it it will be much harder to get the child the kind of help that is needed. Which then affects the rest of this child's life. seriously.

Start with the school district and see what happens.

Dyslexia is a broad term for a language learning disability. There are many different components as to what makes up this learning disability. It is different in all children. Some kids have auditory processing issues, some have visual processing issues, some have both. All of it is considered dyslexia...which is why you have to find out what is your child's issue so you can address it. Much like a dr. treats a disease after a diagnosis, you need a diagnosis before you can get your child the specific kind of help that they need.

If you have any questions, email me a ____@____.com
I have a 12 year old with auditory processing and visual processing issues which make up his dyslexia. Also check out www.charlesarmstrong.org They have some help pages that could be useful to you. My son goes to this school.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I am sorry to hear things have been so difficult for you, I am really happy to see that you care so much about your children's education. Unfortunately most public schools don't have the resources (people, money, diagnostics) to test and diagnose dyslexia, I know, I am a dyslexic teacher. The 5K sounds unreasonable, and your friends can probably help you find county or state resources that don't require near that amount of money. I am wondering how you know they are dyslexic if they haven't been diagnosed? There are lots of learning disabilities that resemble Dyslexia, but don't have all of the components, that are diagnosable and treatable in public schools. I don't know if you are aware, but if you request special Education testing in writing, they must follow through with it. There is a new policy in our state meant to reduce special ed costs called RTI, response to intervention, which puts testing on the third and final level of a 3 teir system. If your children are just getting started in RTI, then testing will not come up for a while unless you request it.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions