Does she have a learning disability?

Question

My baby sister, who is 11 years old and just finishing grade 5 was suspected of having a learning disability. After consulting my mother the school preformed the WIAT-II (an achievement test). Her reading comprehension was above grade level, however she was very slow to read the passages. She was right on grade level in mathematics, however, she received a zero in spelling, and her written work was well organized, but her language was immature for someone her age. The school said that because she did well in mathematics and had good reading comprehension, she DID NOT have a learning disability, and therefor no further testing was required. Is this possible? Can they determine this at the school level?

Answer 1

My son always tested well in comprehension and math so the school told us he was fine. I always thought there was some problem. Now at 21 I paid the college to do an 8 hour  LD test on him. And yes he does have a LD. I am just glad the college had a LD department that could do this. DON'T let the school push you aside on this. Get your doctor to help. Make someone listen. She doesn't need an achievement test she needs to be tested by professionals for a whole range of LD. "slow to read", "zero in spelling" and "immature language" are all red flags.

Answer 2

Sounds like she may have a reading fluency deficit.  Check out www.lindamoodbell.com .  The WIAT and the WISC are not complete reading assessments.  Lindamood Bell has very comprehensive testing.

Answer 3

I can't answer all your question but present another idea that she might be dyslexia has she been tested on that or not?

Good luck

Answer 4

Sounds like you are a very interested big sister,spend some time reading to her and don't worry so much.

Answer 5

If you guys are concerned get another opinion. It is always better to be sure. It is possible, you know. But likely that as she is so capable in some areas, not uncommon to be lacking in ability in other areas. She definately sounds like she could do with some assistance in her spelling though!

Answer 6

the only learning disablity that I would image she has is desyxlia maybe but other than that I don't think she has any

Answer 7

Um I suspect she does have a learning disability called dyslexia, which is not  picked up in the school performed tests,  she needs to be assessed by a school psychologist, who has knowledge in learning disabilities in particularly  dyslexia.

My daughter like your sister, reading comprehension ability was well above her class peers, but her hand writing and spelling was well below her class peers, if she had to read aloud she would do so haltingly, often mixing up or missing words and even adding words that are not there.

I have included a few links which explains in detail the signs and symptoms of dyslexia, as well as what a dyslexic may see when reading.

If you want any further information please send me an email, as I more than happy to help,  with coping strategies and tips to help her within the classroom but at home too.

Good on you for wanting to help your sister, and I wish you both the best.

Answer 8

First of all, does your mother understand that schools do not do testing  'just to see' if a child has a learning disability ?

Did your mother WANT your sister to qualify for special ed services, or 'just to see' if she has a learning disability?

They ONLY do testing to see if a child can qualify for special ed services.

IF your mother wants to see if she can qualify for special ed services,  she  needs to learn the laws that mandate special ed called IDEA. The best site for this is www.wrightslaw.com

This law mandates that parents and schools have to follow a step by step legal process in determining if a child can qualify for special ed services.

At this point in the process, your parent has to -

1. Write to district sped director and request 'prior written notice' for their decision of her not qualify for sped services.

2. Write to district sped director requesting an 'independent educaitonal evaluation'.

The school will pay for another eval to be done by a doctor that the PARENT chooses and this eval will be used to determine if child qualifies for special ed services, even if teh school already said she doesn't.

The schools evaluations are not thorough and complete, and the outside eval done by a doctor that YOU choose will not be biased toward the school and will show the TRUE problems the child has.

Was the WIAT-II the ONLY test the school did? If so, this is SO ILLEGAL. They were suppose to do many more tests and other things to determine if she qualified for special ed services.

Answer 9

Please be sure to have her hearing checked.  Hearing problems often can result in the things you name.

If she reads well, but out loud, it seems slow and her language is immature, this can be the result of a hearing deficit.

Far too many children have hearing problems that go undiagnoised and cause other learning disabilities.

Answer 10

Yes they can determine this at school. The achievement tests are compared to her ability test standard scores (IQ). When there is a significant discrepancy of say 15 points or more between the two then a learning disability is indicated in that subject area. Subject areas might include reading basics, reading comprehension, basic writing, math reasoning or math calculations. There are some lesser identified areas also.