I think DD has dyslexia. Now what?

As my title says, I suspect that my eldest DD has dyslexia. She is in year 1 this year (her second year of schooling), she struggled so much last year, and the year - although there has been personal improvment, her work is just 'different' from all the other kids in her class. There are others in her class that are below her academicly, her issues (mostly around reading and writing) are still the same issues. She is not unintelligent, and I know when I talk to her that she understands the things she is failing in school.

I hadn't even considered Dyslexia until my mum (who is trained in early childhood education) went up for a school open night and had a chance to view her work, and mentioned it to me. There is a history of these kinds of issues on my mothers side of the family, and apparently my husband is dyslexic {been together 14 years, since teenagers, and he had never before mentioned that peice of information, even though he knew about our daughter struggling, because he 'forgot' :rolleyes: - although I did know he struggled with learning difficulties and had special tutoring throughout school; and he's revelation explains ALOT about him too. ;) }

Anyway, my question is: Now that I suspect that this may be an issue, what do I do now?

I am assuming I go and have a chat with her teacher? Should I be talking to a dr?

Sorry I'm on my phone so can't write lots..... But you have a couple of options....
Start with the teacher - maybe there is a school psychologist they can access to assess her or find a private psych who can do the testing. It can be expensive privately though.

Also it can be hard to find clear discrepancies at this age sometimes - but it is a good starting point. I don't know what's available in Canberra, but maybe someone else on here can let you know :)

good luck!!!

I would defiantly talk to her teachers. Last years and this years. they should have a good idea about this, where she is struggling and where to go from here.
its great to catch this early

I'd start with the teacher & school counsellor. Thats where we started with DD2, then onto the gp, for further referrals.
The counsellor did an assessment for us. The teacher had picked up on the sensory issues & the counsellor could see the definite attention deficit.

Friend of mine is an admin person in a dyslexia centre in Melbourne. She raves about the results achieved there. It may be a specific type of dyslexia though, but they have an interesting website and branches in the ACT. Google I.r.l.e.n Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is about "phological processing", not just reading and writing. For age 4-7, a test for dyslexia will also involve asking verbal questions such as "what sound is cup without the 'cuh'?" (expected answer: up)

You can do this with a few other words (sand without the s, and; plate without the t, play...) and see how she does with those. It's a fun game if she can do it, if not then stop and look at an assessment. By all means look at an early assessment anyway, but be warned that's what the UK test is like for young people.

The earlier people have help, the easier they will find learning in later years.

if the school recommends a referral to a Paed pm me as the girl's dr is supposed to be very good for learning issues.

Also read up about Irlen Syndrome.

Thanks everyone. :)

If it's a verbal/sound/language-based dyslexia (needs assessment!) then speech pathologists are a great way to go.

Just thought I would update this to let people know that she does indeed have dyslexia, and that we have a plan to move forward now. Thanks to those poeple who were able to help and offer advice. :)

That's great you've got somewhere to go in terms of helping her, although big hugs too!

Can I ask how you got her assessed in the end?

We went through the Irelene center (I think thats what they are called) and they do assessments for dyslexia and Irlene syndrome. We done this all independantly, and will take the assessment and resources back to her school. :)

I'm glad you were able to get a definitive answer, and can now move ahead with some tools to help her!

Thanks misty!