"Do schools know how to test for Sensory Intergration Dysfunction? there was a person that wrote in on 3-19-08. It sounds like her son may have it. there is a good book out ' The out-of-sync child'. I have a 6 yr old first grader. The kendergarden teacher kept saying He will catch up give him time. He will better in frist grade.we worked over the summer. he still can't count in order he now can count to 8 skips 9 and says 10. he ues to skip 4. He can't say his alphabet he only recognizes some letters. We have worked sence he was a baby sing the alphabet song and counting song. To books and toys that say letter and numbers as he pushes the buttens. Could he have Dyslexia? is why he is having trouble. he has been tested and found to have difficulty in some areas of fine motor and visual motor skill development. the school is checking him to see if he need more testing."

"Generally the schools start testing before or in the third grade. It is hereditary. I've also been told that an early warning sign/red flag is a speech delay. My high school son was tested and found to have dyslexia after his second grade year. My 5 year old had a speech delay so we are keeping a close eye on this. Both sides of our family have dyslexics. If your child does have dyslexia the Masonic Learning Centers help teach them ways to deal and overcome the obstacles that dyslexics have. Ours had a 3 year waiting list, so the sooner you can get them on the list the better. You have to show the testing that was done, at least at ours we did. childrenslearningcenters.org/success/success.html "

"I have a five year old that is writing her name upside down and backwards. She is having troblem with letters and numbers. Where and how old does she have to be, before we test her for dislexia? My aunt is dislexic. So that is what triggered her behavior. Kendall"

"Information for the parents wondering how and where to test their child for dsylexia: I am a trained Orton-Gillingham tutor for the Dyslexia Institue of Indiana. I am also an elementary educ. major. My daughter was having trouble with 'sight' words and not being taught phonics. I knew something was wrong 3 weeks into school, but what was it? I heard ,'she'll outgrow it, she has no learning disablity,' etc. from the school system. We talked to a pediatrician who sent us to another pediatrician and clinician at Riley Hospital for children. They did not diagnose her either!! Then, I happened to read an article about the Dyslexia Institute when my daughter was in the fifth grade. That is when we finally found help. The comments made by some of the contributors are correct in that many school systems do not specifcally test for dyslexia, nor do they use the term. Unfortunately, they probably do not know how to best teach your child even when you get a diagnosis. But, you, the parent must be your child's advocate and find out EVERYTHING you can. Do NOT allow another school year go by. I would recommend checking out the local chapter of the International Dyslexia Association, mentioned in this section. Also, the Masonic organizations have programs for dyslexia. Both organizations can help you find out how and where to get a diagnosis. I would highly recommend a book by Sally Shaywitz, M.D. titled Overcoming Dyslexia, published by Alfred A. Knopf. She has researched dyslexia for years and based her findings on MRI brain imaging. Ms. Shaywitz states, 'Tens of thousands of children who are struggling to read are going undiagnosed.' Also, 'There is an emerging consensus among researchers and clinicians that the dependence on a discrepency between IQ and reading acheivement for a diagnosis of dyslexia has outlived its usefulness..' This system is used in most school systems across the country, although I do know that Indiana has changed its testing guidelines. One good testing tool that is being used more widely now for children at risk for reading problems is DIBELS (http://dibels.uoregon.edu) Hope this information helps!"

"Could you tell me is there any test that conclusively diagnosis teenage with dyslexia? The school says she has a specific learning disability in the IEP. To qualify for help fom the Blind and Dyslexic foundation, how does one prove your child is dyslexic?"

"It is important that parents are aware of their rights and responsiblities in getting their children evaluated for special ed. My personal experience with my son and advocating for other families is it is best for parents to learn about the SPED process and laws on their own. Schools have a vested interest in avoiding their child find responsiblities and often do not clearly and explicitly apprise parents of their rights and responsibilities. Often times they use reassuring words like 'we're watching him' or things like, 'you don't want her to have a sped label'. For parents that are upset about their child's lack of progress, they might not press for further testing. Please link the parents to other articles and resources on GS that inform them of the IEP process and legalities (Schwab had some great articles that are now part of your data base). This will arm parents with important and factual information that they can use to collaborate with the school and hold the school accountable. "

"my child can read but she has a hard time comprehending what the story was about, is there a disease for this?"

"my 5yea old boy has a problem writing and recognising sounds.HE knows his alphabets and sounds and the numbers too but can not read words or write anything just doase not wish to hold a pencil. can any one suggest some ways to help him write and develop his motor skills. he has a good grip- he can hold a spoon and eat very neatly but only writing is a problem."

" Hi, where do I go to get my child tested? His school said he will grow out of it. He is in the third grade. Thanks"

"I have a 6yr old little angel. She has so much trouble pointing out her numbers and letters, but she can say her abc's and can count to 40. However when I ask her to point out the letter or number she cannot. Any suggestions any one? I'm in need of advice. thanks "

"Public schools in CA are not required by law to test for dyslexia, so they don't. They are only required to test for eligibility for special education. There is a critical and serious difference. Many schools refuse to use the word dyslexia and refuse to use best practices for remediation specifically for dyslexia, even tough it is required by law. "

"I think it is extremely important to have an evaluation done outside of school if dyslexia is suspected. Dyslexia can be diagnosed well before a child gets to third grade. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the sooner the child can get help. Often school evaluations do not diagnose dyslexia."

"Parents should be aware that gifted dyslexic children do not always show reading problems. Our gifted dyslexic son reads above grade level so we were told he 'could not' be dyslexic. Please check out http://mislabeledchild.com/html/Library/DyslexiaReading/Stealth_dyslexia.htm and the new book The Mislabeled Child. Good luck!"