If my son had a reading disability what should I do?

Question

If my son had a reading disability what should I do?

Answer 1

You should have him tested.  They perform these tests at all schools.  Depending on how old your son is, they should have already picked up on it.  Learning to read is one of the most important things in a persons life.  It is never to late or early to fix the problem.  Once tested, and diagnosed, the school will have suggestions on how to deal with the issue.

Answer 2

To help you at home visit Reading Rockets online. It give tips for families to help with reading. http://www.readingrockets.org/families

For help at school: Submit a written request for a comprehensive evaluation covering your area of concern (reading) to his school. Many things begin to happen at once. The school must begin interventions to see if that helps the situation for at least a period of three weeks, followed by another three weeks, and occasionally another three weeks. The data will be kept. However, within a period of 90 days, an evaluation should occur. RTI (Response to Intervention) has changed the way interventions and evaluations are handled in some areas.

The tests are free if done by the school system. If you go outside the system, you will have to pay. The only exception to this is if the school sends you to an outside agency, then they pay.

If the testing bears out that your son has a disability, then you decide if you want him to receive special ed services. If you agree then the team will develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program) based on his needs. The best approach to a reading disability is multi-sensory or multi-disciplinary. They usually will not write in a specific program, but they can specify the methodology of the strategies that are used.

The Orton-Gillingham method does not require highly specialized materials and can be carried out with paper and pencil and any reading text that is phonics-based. Wilson is an established program, as is SRA Reading Mastery or Corrective Reading. Read 180 also has a multi-disciplinary approach and involves a software package.

Answer 3

Schools do these type of tests, but they ONLY do them to determine if a child can qualify for special ed services.

They don't do tests 'just to see' what problems a child has.

If you disagree with a child being in special ed, they can't do the testing.

Answer 4

I'm sure you stay awake at night second guessing yourself...Well your not alone on this one at all...

I don't know the age of your child , But I would take He / She to a major Hospital in your area that does auditory, speech and language  as well as cognitive and achievement testing. In my area there are several to choice from Boston has Children's Hospital, Mass General, I'm sure you will find a major Hospital in your area that provides the same quality of care.

The school system is required to pay for a outside evaluation,  outside meaning having testing completed by an outside agency. You must inform them in advance, and they have to send a letter to the center of your choice stating that the school department will be paying for the evaluation.

I'm waiting for an appointment for this September, it was scheduled in March so again your not alone...

After the testing is completed you will schedule a team meeting with the school, you may want to look into hiring an advocate who has a background not only special education, but reading specifically.

The advocate will be there to insure that your child receives, the services that the testings results recommend. They will also explain in depth what the results are and what your child requires to be successful.

Most school systems are looking out for your child's interests, they are limited by what their budget dictates, however the Educational Plan  will be developed at the meeting with your child's needs in mind and becomes a legal document. There budget issues are not your concern.

The testing results should give you a summary of your child weakness as well as strengths and build his reading program  with this information, along with the schools testing.

It's not as overwhelming as it sounds, but it is the best way to get started in a positive direction for your child. Look upon it as a road map.  You will feel much better when you know exactly what your childs specfic needs are.

Wish you the Best.

Answer 5

If you suspect that your child has a learning disability in the area of reading, he can, if eligible, receive services as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act through an Individual Educational Plan.  The first step is the completion of a "Referral Form". Usually teachers are the likely individuals to complete this referral.  However as a parent, you have a legal right to do so and to initiate the process if the teacher does not want to.  The completed form is returned to a school administrator---either your child's principal or the special education director for your district.  This initiates the process and the time lines that go along with the process.  Various meetings will occur to determine if your child should be tested and by whom.  You have a right to participate in all of these meetings as a full partner with the school.  Decisions are made as a team.  If you disagree with any decision anyway along the line, you have a right to appeal that decision to your state agency.  Each state must have a Parent Advisory Committee on Special Education.  If you need help with the process you can get it from this committee whose membership is primarily parents.  You will be expected to give permission for testing.  Your consent can be revoked at any time.  If your child is found eligible for service, an IEP will be developed that will indicate goals and objectives to remediate your child's difficulties.  It also determines the placement in which these services will occur.  Make sure you are satisfied with both the program and the how the service will be delivered before you sign the IEP.

All states must be in compliance with all federal IDEA regulations...get a copy on line.  All states also have their own regulations. State regulations may never subtract any of the federal benefits but may provide additional benefits. Get a copy of your state special education regulations from your state Department of Education.  Special Education is an entitlement program...that is, if your child is eligible, they MUST receive the appropriate services. Don't let anyone tell you that the program is full or that there is a waiting list. (That's illegal!)  Also all special educatin services, including all testing service, are at NO expense to the parents.

Besides special education, depending on the socio-economic situation in your neighborhood, your school may also provide remedial reading services through Title I.  Ask your school principal about that program.