Ask Dr. Silver
The following are past questions and answers from Dr. Larry Silver on this topic.
Why would a child diagnosed with ADHD have trouble retaining letter sounds?
My 7-year-old son has ADHD and an IEP in class at his school. He is very good in math, but when it comes too letter sounds, he cannot retain them so he can't read or write. How do I, as his mom, help him too remember from one day to the next? And why is it he can retain all the things to do with math and not reading? I am confused?
Vickie
About 50 percent of children with ADHD also have Learning Disabilities. Your son sounds like this might be true for him. If not yet done, a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation will clarify why he is having difficulties and clarify how best to help him.
(May 2008)
My third grade daughter struggles to read. What should we do?
My daughter is in third grade now and still struggles to read at an early first grade level. Her cognitive skills are fine. If I read the work to her from school, she can answer the questions. Reading for her is a new struggle every day. It seems like she will recognize a word one minute and the next, have no idea what it is.
She struggles with school at all reading-based subjects. She is getting learning assistance, but her progress is extremely slow. Her self esteem is starting to suffer and she is beginning to refer to herself as stupid. I am so worried about her state of mind as she sits in class with children who can do the work and she simply can't read the words.
She is very gifted in drawing and is very perceptive in understanding emotions, she is simply unable to read. I have told the school I believe her to be dyslexic, but there is little information available as to practical solutions to help her learn and be diagnosed. Where can I get affordable help for her? What techniques can I use to help her? How can I get a diagnosis?
KerryYour daughter certainly sounds as if she has a learning disability. Only formal testing will clarify if this is correct and, if so, what to do. Unfortunately, many school systems will not test a child until they are significantly behind. This often means that they must have completed third grade and still be at first or second grade level with skills. I see this as a wait to fail model. Push harder for the school to do the testing. Maybe you could get a parent advocate to help you with this effort.
If you cannot find someone, contact the Learning Disabilities Association of America. Click on your state. Contact this state chapter of this organization to get possible names.)
(April 2008)
If my third grade son continues to be frustrated trying to read, should the school do more?
My son was diagnosed at the end of first grade with short term memory problems and some phonics problems after falling behind in reading. His school is working hard with him, but it is a struggle at home to get him to read.
As soon as we say its time to read for a few minutes he is annoyed (he is now in the third grade) and gets quickly frustrated even with our help. He also seems to start to yawn soon after starting to read, even though he goes to bed at 8:00 p.m. and gets up at 7:00 a.m.) We let him pick what he wants to read and take breaks, but it is still a struggle. Are there issues we and the school could have missed and are there any suggestions on how to make reading less of a struggle?
If your child is in the third grade and continues to have problems with reading, despite what the school is doing, I would be worried. First, clarify what the school is really doing. You might find that he gets 30 minutes once or twice a week in a small group or that the interventions are not appropriate.
Yes, I would push to get him tested. Start by requesting a meeting of the special education team at your school along with the principal. Express your concerns and note that whatever is being done is not adequate. Request formal studies to clarify why he is not making progress. Please persist. Your son needs you to do this.
(April 2008)
Can a child read well and still be dyslexic?
Is it possible for a child to be able to read at or slightly above grade level, but still have dyslexia? My nine-year-old son does fine in reading (he did have two years of Title 1 reading assistance), but has difficulty spelling and has handwriting that is often illegible.
Dyslexia is a name used for a specific type of learning disability, a language-based reading disability. Don’t focus on the label. If he is nine and still struggling with spelling and handwriting, you should ask your school special education specialist or a private specialist to assess and find out why.
(November 2007)
Is it dyslexia when a four-year-old reverses letters?
I have a 4-year-old that I'm afraid might have dyslexia. The other day we came to a stop sign and spelled out the letters backwards, and it's happened a few times since then. Is this normal or should I do something about it?
Most children reverse letters and numbers until about five or six, some longer. I would not be worried. Watch and see if this pattern disappears by the time she finishes kindergarten.
(November 2007)
How can we support my "reading-challenged" son who is the youngest in his kindergarten?
My son, who just completed Kindergarten and turned six in June, is one of the youngest in his class. He recognizes all letters and knows all letter sounds, but just CANNOT put the easiest three letter words together by sounding them out. We just had an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician because he show difficulties focusing, he seems bright but only concentrates when something interests him. Math and other subjects are fine, but in reading, he is below grade level and constantly has to be redirected.
I wanted him to repeat Kindergarten but in an EPT meeting, it was decided not to because he has the potential. The Developmental Pediatrician said that some kids just can't learn how to read before they're seven. Could he have some "blockage?" He may be dyslexic.
The doctor told us to wait half-a-year and see how he does in first grade and then, if his reading is still below grade level, to see a speech therapist / specialist for dyslexia -- do you agree? Do you think there is anything we can do to help him before first grade starts? He is already aware of the fact that all the other children can read and he can't. He almost seems like he's giving up.
Birgitt
As your developmental pediatrician mentioned, development can be uneven between three and six or seven, especially for boys. Some kids are reading by first grade and some are not. Let him know that it is perfectly normal that he has not yet learned. “That is what first grade is for.”
I would let him start first grade. If you find him behind in a skill area, discuss with his teacher. If you feel he is frustrated, you might try to get the school to provide more reading help or get a private reading tutor. It may be too early to jump to formal testing.
(October 2007)
When are extra support and services from the school a good idea?
My son is in first grade. He is among the youngest in the class. He has a very extensive vocabulary, yet in kindergarten, they said it was uneven with his cognitive abilities. He has no motor skill difficulties, is very creative, artistic, and intelligent yet they recommended Reading Recovery for him. They feel he will reach his potential with this program.
His teacher feels he is very young and that is part of why he hasn't developed yet. The bulk of his class is turning seven and he just turned six, so we are hoping this will bring his reading up to speed. Yet at home, I feel he reads to me beautifully.
I don't now if it's the system pushing my child to have high scores in the district, if he has a learning disability, or if he is just young. Should I have him evaluated or wait to see if Reading Recovery works for him?
Mrs. Meyers
Boys do mature later than girls. Some of your son’s problems might be because of his age. Your school wants to provide additional support and services to see if these efforts might “jump start” him. This is a good idea. Listen to his teachers.
(July 2007)
Can a person who writes but can’t read be dyslexic?
After learning about dyslexia in my AP psychology class, I've been wondering whether I had it. It would explain my constant and perpetuating difficulty reading, but I seem to be an ok writer and have always taken honors and AP English classes. Of course, I was never able to read any of the required novels. Instead, I relied on classroom discussions and summaries to help me understand the books. Would it be possible for me to be dyslexic if I can write but not read? I seem to have some of the symptoms but not all.
I’m sorry it took high school and reading about dyslexia for anyone (you) to question why you have so much difficulty reading. Speak to your parents about requesting formal testing to clarify why you have this problem. Only by understanding the reason(s) will you be able to know what type of help will be most useful.
(May 2007)
My son's IEP team says he doesn't qualify for an IEP or 504 plan. What are my rights?
My son struggled with reading but was a whiz in math and other subjects. We discovered he has auditory processing disorder just before third grade last year. An amplification system was placed in his classroom but he receives no other accommodations.
When the IEP team met, I was told he scored average to above average overall on all other educational testing except some subtests and does not qualify for an IEP or 504 plan. I asked for a meeting with the new teachers each school year and a specific accommodation page to be implemented for the teacher such as preferential seating and specifics about his disability because an amplification system does not resolve his disorder and was told that the former teacher would talk with them.
What are my rights? I was adamant to request the above but need further help.
Thanks,
JG
It is not common to only find an auditory processing disorder. Has your son had formal testing to clarify what other factors might contribute to his reading disability? I would suspect that there is more.
You need to have a good educational consultant to help you with your school system. You need to clarify what accommodations are needed and how to approach your school to get these accommodations.
(November 2006)
Is dyslexia genetic?
I have three boys aged 12, 8, and 6 and all three have been identified with dyslexia.
The oldest has been diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and visual stress syndrome. I am still trying to get him the best support possible. My middle son has been identified as having dyslexic tendencies and is being tested soon, my youngest son has shown quite profound dyslexic and dyspraxic tendencies, his school will be arranging something soon.
Does this mean it has been a genetic marker, as I also have visual dyslexia? What can i expect with my children, especially my youngest who has quite profound problems? Am I entitled to any help with them or are there any schools that are specifically for children like mine, a place where they can get the best education possible?
Many thanks
Michaela
Yes, learning disabilities can be heavily familial. They do run in families.
Have they been formally tested and diagnosed? If not, approach their school principal to do the testing or arrange for it to be done privately. Only with formal clarification on the disabilities, can you request that the school provide services or seek private services.
You should be concerned. Move fast. If you need more information relating to your question, you might read The Misunderstood Child
(August 2006)
For more information on this topic, please visit the Reading & Dyslexia section in LD InDepth.
