They won't test for Dyslexia

A mom called the first day of school.

Then a second and a third mom called
with the same message

"Why won't they test my child for Dyslexia?"

Schools outside of Texas do not test
for Dyslexia -- they test for a Learning
Disability

We asked if attention was an issue and
the mom said, yes my child has ADHD

We recommended the following:
- Write a letter to the school asking
for a child study team to be formed
ASAP to assess your child for a
Learning Disability and ADHD

- Make sure the letter is dated and
get a copy of the letter with a
signature from a school official
acknowledging receipt of the letter

- Call back a week later to get a
reading on how soon action might be
expected

- Check with your state Department
of Education to find out how long the
school has to assess your child --
Federal Law is 60 calender days,
but states can change it either way

- Be aware that the schools are moving
to RTI - Response to Intervention -- where
they may try three interventions before
determining if your child has a disability

- You may be able to go either way -- if
it is urgent testing may be right

- Be aware that some school districts
offer a 504 Plan, accommodations
without money, for ADHD, even if it
significantly impacts your child's
education

- Federal law says if the ADHD
significantly impacts your child's
education then ADHD qualifies
them for an IEP (Individualized
Education Plan) under OHI
(Other Health Impaired)

The IEP is far more valuable,
because money comes with
it and there is a contractual
commitment to follow it

- Since the testing is arbitrary
(i.e. your child must have a
15 point discrepancy between
their potential and their
performance on the IQ test
to qualify for an IEP), the
ADHD provides a valuable
back-up

The next post will be on
Dyslexia and ADHD - making
the IEP meeting work for
your child and for you

As President of the Florida
Learning Disabilities
Association and an activist
in the field of learning
challenges, I really want to
better understand your
challenges

Feel free to e-mail your
issues to mark@3dlearner.com