Possible Learning Disability for my 4 yr old son?

[centralaustinite]

Trainwreck is correct, you generally cannot get an official diagnosis of dyslexia until the second half of second grade BUT there are indicators of dyslexia that are apparent by age 3 or so. Scottish Rite now has a "take flight" program for four and five year olds. A speech therapist can do an assessment of preschoolers and can identify issues that can be remediated, Scottish Rite has folks who can do this type of assessment and if the OP is in Austin, there are many private speech therapists who can also do evaluations.

The earlier and more intensively these types of learning issues are tackled -- and age 4 is not too young -- the better the long-term results. FWIW, my pediatrician was fairly useless with these types of issues, I went straight to diagnosis from specialists. If I thought autism was in play, then definitely the pediatrician first and possibly a pediatric development specialist.

good luck, OP!

[blakely]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

It sounds like dyslexia! I have a LOT of experience with this and you are welcome to send me a private message.

Otherwise, the first step would be to read Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, MD It is the best book out there about the subject and will give you a lot of information to better evaluate your son yourself:

The next step would to get an evaluation, I recommend Scottish Rite Learning Center, they have excellent evaluators and the lowest cost in town.

All this.

Another vote for making an appointment at Scottish Rite. They will conduct a battery of tests, and it's going to be a lot more thorough than what the school district typically provides.

If it is dyslexia, the earlier you get an answer, the better position you are in to help your son. Time is on your side if you act now. My friends who had a hunch something wasn't right and waited until their kid was struggling in 2nd grade had real difficulty getting their kid back on track. It's doable, but just so much easier to help him if you act now.

Good luck!

[CarnivalGal]

I agree with the others about contacting your school district. They will evaluate and help with kids as young as 3.

[Trainwreck20]

I agree with the others about contacting your school district. They will evaluate and help with kids as young as 3.

I do not believe that AISD does, or did not a few years ago. They DO have programs once you are enrolled in school, although that is at 5 years old for most kids (although there are some pre-school programs, which are based on financial need or other hardship). They district may have recommendations on who to call (or a specific school counselor may have some), but we received the most useful information from our pediatrician and the director of our daycare.

[centralaustinite]

No AISD does, every public school does and you do not have to be enrolled. They must serve preschool children with identified disabilities -- how that it defined and the exact criteria, I think, can be different from district to district, state to state. Here is where to get started in AISD

Austin Independent School District : Special Education

[angien2324]

He isn't in pre-school yet. They can't start until they're four, at the beginning of the school year. He didn't turn four until January (this year)...By the way (to copcat and to you, as well) I know not to take a diagnosis over the internet. I just found the dyslexia comment to be interesting because it's something I had never thought of and gives me something to mention to the therapist that does his evaluation...and something to research and learn more about. Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated!

[angien2324]

One problem I've had with his pediatrician is he just says "We'll talk about it next time if he's still having problems", or something of the same effect. He just keeps putting it off. I think I'm going to go with the school district..I'll start with the school he will be attending next year. I have to go there next week and register him anyways.

[angien2324]

We're actually not in AISD. We're in LISD..I'm not sure if there is a difference or not..But, I'll find out next week when I register him for pre-school. Sorry for the late response! I've been working at SXSW and have been VERY busy! I'm only on now because he (my son the post is about) has been sick all night so I've been up since 4am. Poor baby!

[angien2324]

I really don't think that he is autistic. I know I've had a few friends with Autistic children mention that to me but he doesn't have any indicators aside from speech and his incredible ability with puzzles (Aspergers). I truly believe that the dyslexia comment was correct. It just makes perfect sense and the website (I don't remember the address or the name but it's the national association for dyslexia) lists different indicators for a 4 year old and he has every single one (it states if there are 2 or more to get them checked, specifically for dyslexia, but evaluated for other things as well, obviously).

Everyone keeps saying "OP" but I have NO idea what that means! lol Can someone explain?

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by angien2324

Everyone keeps saying "OP" but I have NO idea what that means! lol Can someone explain?

In this context, I believe OP is you...Original Poster or the person who started the thread.