Help! I think my child has Dyslexia
The first thing to mention here is that there is no one size fits all with Dyslexia. We can look for indicators, but there isn’t a checklist to conveniently run through. Sometimes Dyslexic students may have tell-tale indicators such as letter reversal, or getting their ps and bs mixed up but this isn’t always the case. There are many things that can point to Dyslexia, such as difficulty following instructions, but these can also point to other Specific Learning Differences. If you have a history of Dyslexia in your family, and your child is struggling with their learning, chances are they have it too.
The second thing is, don’t panic. Dyslexia is a different way of thinking. The Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand defines it as “a specific learning difference which is constitutional in origin and which, for a given level of ability, may cause unexpected difficulties in the acquisition of certain literacy and numeracy skills.” It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have Dyslexia in New Zealand, but some sources say it is closer to 1 in 7.
According to Ministry guidelines, it is important to recognise possible Learning Difficulties and implement appropriate interventions as early as possible. At Craighead, we have supports in place to make sure that Dyslexia and other Learning Difficulties are identified early, but sometimes you as parents will know and observe more than we do at school. Some girls mask their difficulties very well at school but then the wheels come off at home. Please make sure you get in touch with our SENCo, Susan Dominikovich, if you have any questions or concerns in this area. It might be a niggle that turns out to be nothing, but it is best to have that professional conversation so that we can explore it further. Once your daughter’s learning needs are understood, we are able to adapt their programme and ensure they have the support they need across all areas of the curriculum.
At Craighead, we can screen for possible Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia, but testing and diagnosis must take place by a certified professional, usually an Educational Psychologist or equivalent. We are fortunate to have tadalafil recommended dosageright here in Timaru who offer excellent assessments and provide thorough reports for families. These reports not only provide evidence for Special Assessment Conditions to NZQA, but they also provide us with invaluable advice as to how to better support your child.
Diagnosing Dyslexia is not about giving students a label and fitting them into a box; it’s about providing them with an action plan for understanding, and helping them to achieve success.
Having Dyslexia does not have to limit your child’s potential or their future possibilities. Our Dyslexic students have gone on and will continue to go on to do amazing things with their lives. They are hard workers, creative problem solvers, and perseverance is their go to. But that doesn’t mean the path ahead won’t have its challenges. Unfortunately, many aspects of modern education will make learning difficult for some students. That’s why it is so important to seek early recognition and intervention, so that we can make sure the right strategies are in place to support students with Dyslexia.
