When it comes to a learning disability or learning problem, one must see a specialist doctor — a pediatric neurologist or a learning disability specialist who specializes in diagnosing and treating dyslexia. Early diagnosis ensures appropriate treatment.
Many times parents are in a dilemma about which doctor to consult for dyslexia as there are many specialists involved in several teaching, training and treatment modules. When you approach a dyslexia specialist in your city or a child neurologist who specializes in dyslexia diagnosis and treatment, the doctor will do certain tests to determine how well your child reads and writes.
Your doctor performs a physical examination and completely evaluates your child to know whether the child has depression or ADHD — owing to which the child could have learning difficulties dyslexia. Dyslexia testing or Dyslexia Diagnosis: A child neurologist considers several factors to make a diagnosis of dyslexia as there is no single specific test to diagnose dyslexia. The doctor will most likely ask some questions about the developmental.
Learning and educational areas of the child. The doctor would like to know whether any condition any learning disability runs in the family.
The next question would be about the home life of the child including the other family members who live with the child — a brief description of the family members; whether they have any problems at home. The child, the family members or the teachers of the child have to answer written questions questionnaires given by the doctor. I understand your frustration. I will only speak as far as my knowledge but maybe it will help you make sense of it in your situation.
As a school psychologist, we are not qualified to diagnose so I would not even attempt it in the school setting, personally. I was not trained to do so. Although I have done research on dyslexia and have attended symposiums on the topic, I still do not have the expertise to make an actual diagnosis.
What we have been trained in though is determining the presence of a learning disability. Dyslexia is one of several types of reading problems. In some cases, children with dyslexia receive special education services under the category of Specific Learning Disability in Reading. However, it is possible for a student to have symptoms of Dyslexia that are problematic but not disabling. In order to to qualify for special education services, a student with Dyslexia must meet eligibility requirements based on guidelines set by his state's department of education, in your case Illinois.
In Ohio, school districts must take into consideration documentation and testing that are presented by outside professionals but still must have evidence that the condition is so disabling that it requires specially designed instruction in order to qualify for special education services in the school setting. I hope this makes sense. For example, a student may have dyslexia but is performing well in the classroom in all subject areas without intensive support.
If a classroom teacher can provide assistance and it's helping, that is where we maintain keeping the student in the least restrictive environment. If you feel your child needs additional help, is performing poorly, and he does not qualify for special education services, ask the team of teachers to meet in Ohio we call it an Intervention Assistance Team [IAT] meeting to help come up with classroom interventions.
Also, you can ask the team to consider a Accommodation Plan in order to determine if that is something for which he may qualify. I hope this helps! I find your article to be informative. However, as a school psychologist from Ohio, I second what Donna says. It is actually frustrating for misinformation about this to be distributed as we are not trained to offer such a diagnosis. Making it seem as if it is a choice on our part causes an unneeded tension between school and home when we should be working together to help the chid be successful.
When parents research who can help them and read that we can but won't, that has got to be upsetting but it simply isn't true. Hi Rita, I am a middle schooler doing some research on dyslexia. I was wondering if you know amy doctors or organizations who treat or diagnose dyslexia. Thank you. Hello: I have a 10 yr old boy who has been struggling in school since he entered kindergarden. He's already been retained once back in second grade, and is now facing a second retention in third.
I've long suspected that he has some type of learning disiablity. The school claimed to be helping me get him tested but allowed him to fail 4 quarters in a row with a 54, requiring they needed the proper paper work in order to push forward with the ese department. I dont really hv the funds to get him tested outside the school system, but I'm in despreate need of help? Does anybody have any adivce for me in this situation I live in florida which is probaly the worst state to live in for a child with a learning disiability.
Furstrated Mother! Corrina, I know this is late considering the date of your comment, but have you specifically asked for testing for a possible learning disability? Is he putting forth his best effort? I would start by asking for a team meeting with his teachers, the school psychologist and I would request that the principal come. Ask them to bring progress monitoring data and his school file so that you can discuss his historical problems and try to determine the cause of his problems behavior, attention, effort, skill level, events in his , etc.
Here are the facts: 1. Medical professionals make diagnoses and make clinical impressions. Schools use educational eligibility categories to base decisions about qualifying a student for special education after collecting subjective and objective data about the student through a domain meeting. Schools are required to consider any data the parent gives them.
They are not allowed to throw out data to simply support their own position and to deny a student an appropriate education that meets their unique needs. Special education is always based on the unique individual needs of the child and not strictly based on any diagnosis. The ultimate question is whether the child is impaired educationally and needs a special plan to level the playing field so that they can show what they know in order to recieve a free apporpriate public education.
Or you can approach an independent educational psychologist or another suitably qualified professional directly. You can find a directory of chartered psychologists on the British Psychological Society's website.
Before the assessment takes place, you and your child's school may be sent a questionnaire that asks about your child and related issues, such as:. The assessment itself may involve observing your child in their learning environment, talking with key adults involved with your child's learning, and asking your child to take part in a series of tests. After your child has been assessed, you'll receive a report that outlines their strengths and weaknesses, with recommendations of what could be done to improve areas they're having difficulties with.
Depending on the severity of your child's learning difficulties, it may be possible for their difficulties to be managed through special educational needs SEN support , an action plan drawn up by their school and their parents.
In a small number of cases where a child's difficulties do not improve and progress does not seem to be made, you may want to request a fuller assessment that covers all aspects of your child's development. This would result in a more formal educational plan being drawn up for your child, known as an education healthcare plan EHC. This sets out what your child's educational needs are and the support required to meet those needs in a document that's reviewed formally every year.
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