Dyslexia Ayrshire - FAQ
Here are the answers to some questions we are frequently asked. If there is a question you have about dyslexia or what we do, feel free to contact us by clicking here
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty mainly affecting the ability of individuals to acquire literacy skills. It is complex and resistant to conventional teaching approaches. It is the reason many young people struggle at school-it affects 10% of the population. It is not related to intelligence.
Dyslexia can vary in severity and can affect individuals in unpredictable ways. Its effects are seen in reading, spelling and writing, although reading speed and comprehension, working memory, processing speed, word finding and organisational skills are all involved. Phonological awareness (difficulty in sounding out words) is a fundamental problem.
Dyslexia is a hereditary lifelong condition. Early identification, assessment for potential ability and appropriate teaching and learning strategies will allow such young people to succeed to their potential. Unidentified, it is likely to result in low self esteem, high stress, behaviour out of character, and low achievement.
How can I tell if I am dyslexic?
Dyslexia can be difficult to spot, but we have given a list of common traits here: Discovering Dyslexia.
Bear in mind that these traits can be caused by other things, and it is important to rule out other possibilities by ensuring things such as eyesight and hearing are fine.
The only sure way to diagnose dyslexia is to have a test carried out by an Educational Psychologist. This can be done for free for a child in school, or can be done privately.
Where can I find help?
If you are concerned that your child may be dyslexic, you should first speak with the class teacher. If you are still concerned it is then advisable to speak with the head teacher or deputy head.
In secondary school you should speak with the pupil's guidance teacher.
It is very important to follow-up all conversations, whether by telephone, meetings or casual chat by putting it in writing to the person with whom you had the conversation for clarification. Or, at the very least, make private notes. You may have to refer to these much later.
You can also contact Dyslexia Ayrshire on their helpline - 01292-443648.
Where can I find an Educational Psychologist, and will I have to pay for an assessment?
The school is obliged to have your child assessed if you request an assessment to determine if your child has a learning difficulty. You should write to the school requesting that they carry out an examination by an Educational Psychologist. This assessment is free. Check on the waiting time involved since time is important to a child who may be struggling.
Often due to the long waiting time for such an examination parents opt for a fuller private assessment, which schools are obliged to take into consideration.
For information on where you can access such an Educational Psychologist, you can contact Dyslexia Ayrshire on 01292 443648.
Where can I find a specialist teacher?
Specially trained teachers for dyslexic pupils are very difficult to find but if you wish to contact Dyslexia Ayrshire we will be able to give you more information.
My child has not yet started school but is already showing signs of dyslexia. What should I do?
When you are registering your child for school you must speak to the head teacher about your concerns. When your child starts school, you must speak to the class teacher, informing him/her of these concerns. It is also important to put your concerns in writing to the school. Some private Educational Psychologist will assess children as young as 6yrs old. Contact Dyslexia Ayrshire for further information on (01292) 443648.
Nobody at my childs school seems to be listening to my concerns. What can I do?
You must put your concerns in writing to the school. If a full assessment has not been carried out you can request one under the new legislation. If you are still unhappy you may want to consider having your child assessed privately (you can contact Dyslexia Ayrshire for further information on 01292 443648).
A full assessment will reliably identify dyslexia (or not!), giving you the child's strengths as well as weaknesses, personal potential, current progress in reading, writing and maths, along with recommendations. The Disability Equality Duty and the Accessibility Strategies Act demand that Education Authorities be pro-active in promoting disability equality. This does not mean changes to buildings or adjustments for individuals which are already covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, but it is about weaving Equality for disabled people into the culture of education in practical ways. This means being active in advance, rather than reacting to the needs of individual disabled people when some failure has taken place.
Therefore the school is obliged to listen and make changes to accommodate your child's learning disability so that they are not discriminating against your child.
Is it possible to drop learning a foreign language at school if your child is struggling?
Yes. If a child is struggling with a foreign language and becoming very distressed then it would be wise to speak with the Head of the Language Department and discuss the matter. Remember also that there are foreign languages which are much easier for dyslexic pupils to learn (e.g. Spanish rather than French).
If there is such distress over a language as to affect a dyslexic student's other studies, the relief of dropping it, allowing that time to be given to "over-learning" other subjects more likely to deliver success, is a powerful argument for Heads of Departments to hear. The school's decision is between whether they can accommodate the change, and the possibility of forcing a dyslexic student to comply with a task which discriminates against his/her disability - ie it may be impossible for them do this task because their dyslexia makes it impossible.
It seems dyslexia brings additional financial costs. Is there any help I can get?
In Primary and Secondary education the Local Education Authority is obliged to provide your child with whatever they need to enable them to access the curriculum so that they are not discriminating against your child. In some areas of Ayrshire extra funding is available. This is means tested. Dyslexia Ayrshire will be able to give you more information and advise you where to apply (contact 01292 443648).
Are the computerised tests (e.g Lucid, Lass) reliable?
Lucid Rapid Screening software is used to help teachers identify potential dyslexic difficulties in children aged 4-15 years.
Lass is used for screening in secondary schools with pupils aged 11-15 years.
Dyslexia Ayrshire has heard conflicting reports about the results of these two tests. The Lucid test should only take 15 mins and the Lass test 45 mins at most. It has been reported on frequent occasions that the tests have taken up to one and a half hours and diagnosed the student as not dyslexic. Some students were not happy with the outcome, and have had a full assessment carried out by a Chartered Educational Psychologist, who confirmed dyslexia. If you are not happy with the results from a computerised test it would be advisable to have a full assessment carried out by a Chartered Educational Psychologist.