I have a question. I'm hearing from more and more friends with children in different school systems that the schools are refusing to provide services for dyslexia. Dyslexia is specifically mentioned in the federal special education laws, and in most cases the states.

How common is this problem? With approximately 20% of the population struggling with dyslexia my mind boggles that schools are ignoring this situation.

I've heard this rumbling from parents also. I'm not sure if they're not providing services at all, though; or if the districts (here at least) have just moved to using regular classroom reading specialists to do this job.

I do know in Calif. that the student is assessed by a specialist from a classroom teacher recommendation.

I have a son w/Dyslexia. It was a nightmare and I live in a state that recognizes it but classifies it seperately from special education. My son was placed in a room with a computer and a teachers aide. The aide worked crossword puzzles while my son attempted to teach himself. They have since strengthened the wording of the state guidelines and they specifically say computer programs alone are not sufficient. The dyslexia "specialist" at our school had NO training in any recognized remediation program. Her mantra was "he needs to try"
We ended up paying for private tutoring and changing school districts. Some parents don't have these resources or even know what the schools are required to do. I had lots to learn and now speak out every chance I get. I still feel my anger rising when I think about what we dealt with for 2 years, while trying to work with the school. Luckily I had a teacher from another school point us in the right direction. I recommend www.wrightslaw.com to any parent dealing with education problems.
j

Thank you for contributing your experience and sharing the link.

Susan

My daughter is dyslexic and she cannot get any services via the public education system because she is not flunking. Before no child left behind she could get some special help and consideration, but after, she could not.

She gets OK grades, she has a 3.2 gpa (she's in 11th grade) but it is very difficult for her due to her dyslexia. They no longer allow her to take oral tests, and haven't for years. I have taken her to a private specialist in the past and that helped some, but the public system is no help at all.

She could be a 4.0 student. Basically the public school system has completely ruined my daughter's love of learning and education since no child left behind.

Stephanie, I am so sorry to hear that but not every state is like yours. In California, at present, with an official diagnoses of dyslexia college students can take exams in quiet space for a longer period of time. For her college, check out the accomodations of your local community college and of nearby states. Good luck!

Most colleges have a student services office that will help with accomodations. My 11th grader is taking dual credit this year and no problems. Note taker, xtended time on tests. We did have to provide recent eval documenting his learning differences. Much easier than public school!!

Yes, in the US the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) helps insure that students will have somewhat equal access to higher education institutions. Colleges are required to make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. If the college cannot fiscally afford an accommodation, they will usually work with the student and a logal agency to see that services are provided as best as they can be provided.

I am happy to hear that! I'm actually not that worried about college, but the public school system has been a pain. I home schooled her for a time and taught her to read myself. I knew she'd never learn what she needed in school.

Stephanie, kudos to you for tuning into your daughter's learning style!

Thanks. I'm lucky I could do it. I was a stay at home mom at the time so it wasn't that hard. I could never do that today as I must work outside the home.

My dyslexia has gone undiagnosed for my entire lifetime. (When I was in kindergarten in the year 1967, before dyslexia was a term, I perceived written words in their mirror image - something I was taught was "wrong" and worked very hard to "correct.") When one is offered no help or recognition for this now deemed "disability," other parts of the brain will compensate, if it is pointed out.

I look at it this way: As we all know, when the eye receives the image it is viewing, it is reversed in the eye, then in the brain. Life seen from the dyslexics POV, then, is actually correct - as the reversal role is then reversed. When you think about it, we dyslexics may have to work a little harder to conform to "normalcy," but in the end, we actually see things as they are in their original form. It works for me!

Shay

Shay, thanks for sharing your experiences living with dyslexia. BTW, I love reading your articles on your Stomach Issues site.

Susan

Thanks for the input and sharing your experiences. The public library where I work was fortunate to receive a $1000 grant from Dollar General to purchase materials related to dyslexia.

For those interested here is a checklist for you or your child:
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