Question about dyslexia?

Question

My son is 15 years old and he was diagnosed with dyslexia in 6th grade. Now he is in 7th grade and I asked the teacher about him being put in a special program because of his dyslexi. I was told that he didn't need any special classes because he out grew the dyslexia. His grades are a few C's a few B's and a few A's but I still see him struggling when it comes time to study. In a few weeks the school will be taking a TAKS test and if he doesn't pass the TAKS, he wont go to the next grade. It doesn't matter what the grades are, the TAKS test is the final say so. Can you out grow dyslexia and will it keep him from doing good on the TAKS?

Answer 1

Dyslexia is a learning disability. You don't outgrow it, you learn to deal with it and learn ways around it. And I don't think children with dyslexia need to be in a special ed class, but there are programs such as resource that will help with reading. Regardless of whether his teacher says he outgrew it, it's the schools job to give him what he needs. It's the law. If it's a tutor, resource class, special accomodations for test taking, whatever, they have to provide that. You may have to fight but our children are worth the fight. If they say no, ask why not, make them prove it and then prove them otherwise.

Answer 2

You can't really outgrow it...he can be put in a special program.  If he were my son, I would take him to a doctor and have him diagnosed with a learning disability.  Have the doc write a letter stating this and he can be placed on a 504 plan and get testing accomodations.  Take the letter the doctor gives you to the school and give them a copy of it and say you want your son on a 504 plan.  Period.  Don't ask them- tell them.  You may find(and he will too) that when the work gets challenging and/or more stressful, the dyslexia will manifest itself.  If the teacher or school is reluctant, tell them to put what they are telling you in writing and sign it.  They won't.  Tell them that you want your son to have a 504 plan, and if they resist, tell them you would like a due process hearing and that you are going to the school dist administration to make an appt.  You will get a 504 plan.

Answer 3

Dyslexia is a learning disorder.  Children with learning disorders can and should be tested to recieve additional services at school.  If a child is classified as a special education child, they can get extra time/modifcations on tests.  You should definitely either speak to the teacher again, or go to the principal.  Also, you CANNOT grow out of it... that's ridiculous.  What people with dyslexia can do is recieve appropriate instruction and work hard so that they can succeed.

Answer 4

sounds like he's doing okay to me. I wouldn't worry so much, your son sounds like he's doing better than majority of the students are that going to my daughter's school

I think you might be paranoid (valid) bcuz of your son's condition

Keep up the good work mom

Answer 5

As a Dyslexic I can tell you can not out grow "it", but one can learn ways to cope or manage the way the dyslexia affects them, things I do is always use spell check or a dictionary (this can be hard if having trouble with the first few letters of the word), computers in class for note taking, take time when reading and have a dictionary and note book handy for writing down new words, have list of words that sound the same but are different in spelling, e.g flower/flour, which, witch, where, wear and were.

I would ask the school for proof of their claim of dyslexia is something you out grow. As I said a person can learn ways to cope or manage their dyslexia, but they need the support from parents and teachers, using strategies to help and assist the person.

Does he have IEP are they following it, you have the right to have his IEP reviewed, and demand they continue to support him until the review has been done.

I have included a few links which may help, I particularly like the dyslexia-parent site.

Good luck and hope your son passes the TAKS

Answer 6

Yes, most boys who have dyslexia do outgrow it.  So, if his teachers tell you that he did, then believe them.  However, do you see any reason why he still has dyslexia that you can tell?  And why do you want your 15 yr. old son to be placed in a Special Education class anyway?  There are other ways that you can help your son do better with his schoolwork.  Have you considered getting him a tutor or having an older student help him with his homework after school?  Most boys do struggle with their studies, esp. at his age.  There are so many other things on his mind than just schoolwork that  it doesn't mean that it is still dyslexia.

I advise you to keep in close contact with his teachers and guidance counsellors so that you know what he is going through at school all the time.  He may have some form of learning disability that they are not aware of.  Try not to worry so much because then your son will sense this negativity coming from you and it may make things even more difficult for him to complete his assignments and keep him from doing better.

Answer 7

you can compensate for it-but you can't grow out of it-