how to get school system to acknowledge dyslexia and support

[smdorvilliers]

I live in a fairly affluent school system however, I am very unhappy with the support of the sped regarding their ability to assist my children who are obviously dyslexic!

Help!

[ssp83196]

We are in the same boat. I have even had teachers go so far as to administer Aimsweb progress monitoring passages 4 times in one day and then present the high score in a meeting as evidence of progress. I confronted them, and they are revising their methods to ensure it can't happen again. We have an independent eval and have been on a very loosely based and unscientific RTI for 1 1/2 years. Just found out the PA part of the program was only being administered twice weekly - clearly not with fidelity to the program or instensity. I had asked last year for an IEP since I didn't think I needed to ask for an eval since I had already paid for one (not knowing dyslexia was even an issue at the time). I am in the process of looking for an advocate and/or attorney as I am learning our rights have been trampled on. You have to research like crazy to know what to ask, and how to read the test scores. They say progress, but when I asked for comparison to our building it actually showed regression (peers were making much greater progress so our childs % within the group was dropping while progress was still being made). I have spoken to the curriculum director who is not interested in change and frankly uninformed. I have met with one school board member and plan to meet with the rest in the coming weeks. It may not help my child, so we are tutoring and doing everything we can on our side, but I hope it can help someone elses. Not everyone has the time and money and the school clearly has no sense that they are going to be held responsible. Affluent parents send their kids to tutors and rarely ask the tough questions because it's easier, but it will never affect any change in policy. I hope you will consider pushing for change at the same time you address your childs specific needs. Good luck.

[BMWMom]

Put your request for testing in writing and do NOT take no for an answer. Do not ask them to test for Dyslexia but ask them to test for the possiblity of a learning disability. There is no "test" for dyslexia-it is a battery of tests. Get familiar with Wrightslaw and I.D.E.A--also read up on your rights or they will get trampled on for sure. You are your child's advocate and being firm and informed is your BEST avenue. I would not wait for the school to do a dianosis--because it will ake forever. Early intervention is key-so do not wait. Find someone to test your child through the IDA or through a Neuro Psychologist. We have done this for my daughter and I assure you--if the district thinks you have information they will try to meet your needs faster. What you have to understand is the educators in the school know little about Dyslexia (for the most part). After educating yourself further you will know more than most of the people you discuss your childs needs with. If an IEP becomes necessary bring the person who tested and knows your child--I would not do that alone either...since they are a 1x a year deal. Good luck to you.

[Morning]

Your school system is jerking you around. And, they are also uninformed.

Truth is--they think that most parents will not spend the money on an advocate or an lawyer (and they are costly). You are asking the right questions but you need legal help to get your daughter the help she needs. They have to comply but it is also about compromise.

Pay for your own evaluations and then make the school pay for them. This is where you will need an advocate. Do not wait.

Also, RTI is great but for a dyslexic child--RTI may miss the boat and have the child way behind. So, be careful.

[belhavenmomma]

We are trying to get accomodations. Our child is diagnosed w/ dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD (we paid for testing) but is in advanced classes and gets A's and B's. The school has indicated they will not give accomodations because of this. Our child works long hours and has stress and headaches. Can you please give us tips to convince the school to give accomodations of extra time?

[Stacy]

belhavenmomma:

keep pushing! no one can do what you can do for your child. No lawyer or advocate knows your kid the way you do, and everyone on the other side of the table will try to misdirect you if they can.

and everyone on this thread needs to see what they do in Texas.

google "region 10 dyslexia"

my daughter is a nearly 18 yr old senior in high school Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Disorder of written expression, AD/HD and an immune system dysfunction. Last year was hell!

our district doesn't do dyslexia and looks at us funny when we push for RtI/phonemic awareness retraining. Currently have OCR investigating 504 discrimination since the school actually wrote (on a refusal to give an IEP) that her physical disability was responsible for ALL of her learning problems. Ha!

She actually had to endure her principal telling her, during the 504 meeting, that she should be at a different school, and that a "comprehensive high school" should not have to deal with her multiple disabilities. My daughter almost dropped out last year due to physical and learning disability discrimination such as this.

on a recent flight from Dallas to San Diego, I spoke with a dallas-area mom whose daughter also was 17 and graduating with dyslexia. She told me of the early identification, daily pull-outs for phonemic support, and how in middle school the dyslexic kids have no stigma because their academic support is provided in an elective course on a daily basis. Imagine that!

Currently we are trying to get our district to acknowledge that yes, dyslexia has an intervention, and yes, it can be supported academically. My daughter will be addressing the school board next month.

This despite the fact the superintendent is crying that the district is close to insolvency.

more to come

[rdxdube007]

I had asked last year for an IEP since I didn't think I needed to ask for an eval since I had already paid for one (not knowing dyslexia was even an issue at the time). I am in the process of looking for an advocate and/or attorney as I am learning our rights have been trampled on....

[mjdemay]

Unfortunately, many schools are not yet able to support students with special learning needs (as I unfortunately found out as well).

If you are applying to schools, please be aware that the school I attended, Western University of Health Sciences (in Pomona, California) was not able to offer the resources they had told me before I chose to attend this school.

I am now faced with a federal lawsuit to have my tuition refunded (even after the dean and center for disabilities realized they were not able to offer the resources they had promised before I chose to attend the school and started my education). The dean said it was very likely I would have my full tuition refunded. When the school's lawyer found out about the situation, they backed down and instead offered a partial refund.

In the end, I have learned that we need to be extremely precautious when choosing a school and a career path. Currently, many schools and careers do not allow for those with unique learning abilities to succeed. With time and advocacy, this will get better.