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7 year old daughter...she is in 1st grade (again). we had to hold her back in 1st grade because last year she just was not getting it. she was "below grade level" in every subject. i'm not sure if this is dyslexia, or if it is just a 7 year old being lazy and not wanting to do anything but play. she writes her numbers and letters backwards. and reads them backwards too. not all of them, but she has particular trouble with "d" and "b".
for instance, on a homework assignment last night she was given a list of words, some real and some fake. she had to circle the real words and write a sentence using it. one of the words she circled was "bib", and she wrote "i bib my homework today". and the same with numbers. 5+7=21, with a backwards 2 and backwards 7. 6+9=51 with backwards 5. 6>9, etc.
the last time she was at the doctor (over the summer) he diagnosed her with ADD, but we have been unable to get the medication due to insurance problems. so does this sound like dyslexia to you? how can i help her?
Yes, it does. You need to have her tested. I am not sure if your school system will pay for the testing. My child is in a special school for dyslexia and is in the first grade and making great strides. The testing is a two-day complete psych ed evaluation. We paid out-of-pocket. You may be able to approach the special schools for dyslexia and learning disabilities in your area and see if they have any resources/scholarships etc. ADD is a secondary diagnosis for many kids at my child's school. Often behavior issues arise from the child being totally disengaged from the learning process because they aren't understanding it.
Dyslexia isn't so much about the reversals (although this is common) but more about the inability to sound out the words and recognize words already learned when she sees them again. The fact that she is behind in all areas is a huge red flag. I hope you are able to get the testing done and find a good fit for her!
That's what I was wondering about the school testing for it, because quite frankly we don't have nearly enough to pay for any of that out of pocket. I was surprised for him to diagnose her with ADD, she doesn't seem it to me she listens fairly well for a 7 year old doesn't really get distracted from her work unless her brothers and sister start messing with her. Well, I suppose I'll have to talk to the school then...we were hoping that since this is now her 2nd time doing this type of work, it would "click" with her, but no her letters are still backwards. she has gotten better for sure, and usually when i ask her "there is something wrong with this sentence, can you find what is wrong?" (on a sentence she's written, such as
"i bib it") she identifies what she did wrong. is there a good way to deal with dyslexia without having to send her to a special school etc?
Not a doctor and I would definitely get her checked out, there does seem to be something going on. However, it may not be dyslexia. My daughter who is very bright in reading wrote backwards numbers and letters until 2nd grade, especially b and d and 2 and 5. My friend just had her son evaluated in 3rd grade for the same thing and he's behind but not dyslexic. My daughter's issue is a handedness one, she's ambidextrous so it's harder for her brain to get her letters and numbers the right way, at 9 she now seems to have figured it out.
There are so many learning problems that you just aren't going to know what's going on until you have her evaluated. Go to the teacher and the school counselor and demand it.
My 3rd grader still has trouble with b and d. She's grown out of trouble with 2 and 5. She doesn't have dyslexia, I asked about it but was told that getting letters and numbers backwards was common for that age.
My 3rd grader still has trouble with b and d. She's grown out of trouble with 2 and 5. She doesn't have dyslexia, I asked about it but was told that getting letters and numbers backwards was common for that age.
Yep, many kids do that!
On the flip side, my husband is a diagnosed dyslexic, and he has/had no issues with writing ever.
Reading, and anything with numbers... what a mess!
He is super careful and goes over things numerous times.
Yes, it's not the letter and number reversals so much as the fact that she is behind in first grade, and she's already been through the grade once. That tells us that it isn't a question of maturity, just being too young. She is still struggling in all subjects--and it's time to look into the underlying reasons why. She could have any number of learning disabilities--and it's worth it to have her hearing and vision tested as well. I'm going to tell you that her story sounds *exactly* like what I hear from other parents at my child's school (which is specifically for dyslexia). She needs remediation and she needs it now. If she doesn't master the fundamentals being taught in first grade, she will get increasingly behind as time progresses. Your school probably has some kind of reading and/or learning specialist whom you could start with. The good news is, if you get her the help, she can catch up!
Having taught regular ed 2nd-4th grade for 10 years and special ed for 5, I can tell you those reversals are so common with kids that age. I've had kids w/ Dyslexia that didnt have the reversals. either way, Dyslexia in the two states I taught, Dyslexia wasn't a recognized learning disability. The schools would not test for it and the kids would have to have a secondary diagnosis to qualify for special ed. if you have not yet, request an evaluation at school for A) a learning disability (which will get her services if she qualifies) and B) because she has an ADD diagnosis, she could qualify for OHI (other health impairment) where her ADD is having an affect on her learning. Your school with have 90 days from the day you submit the request.
I hate to say it, but teaching kids and getting results w/ ADD without meds is often futile. it is impossible for some of them to focus and they continue to fall behind. I've seen it regularly and it is frustrating,but not the child's fault.
I hate to say it, but teaching kids and getting results w/ ADD without meds is often futile. it is impossible for some of them to focus and they continue to fall behind. I've seen it regularly and it is frustrating,but not the child's fault.
I have a child with adhd who is not medicated and he is a straight A student. There are many other ways to deal with adhd rather than just medication.
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