Update on Dyslexia Testing

[my3texans]

Last week DS (10) was tested for dyslexia by the Scottish Rite. Below is the info they gave me from his profile. One note -- the info in parentheses is the test that was administered to him.

Phonological Awareness (CTOPP-Phonological Awareness) -- 91
Phonological Memory (CTOPP-Phonological Memory) -- 106
Rapid Naming (CTOPP-Rapid Naming) -- 85 ***
Letter Knowledge was a check mark

Sight Words (TOWRE-SWE) -- 93
Phonemic Decoding (TOWRE-PDE) -- 93
Reading Fluency (GORT-4-Fluency) or (TOWRE-TWRE) -- 92
Spelling (TWS-4)-- 97

Cognitive/Problem Solving (TONI-3) -- 105
Listening Comprehension (OWLS-Listening Comp.) -- 81***

Overall, she said the scores were good & he does not have dyslexia. Phonics, reading & fluency were good. I can thank the former school for using a phonics based curriculum to teach reading & the current school for using DIBELS to increase fluency among students.

The two scores with the stars were her concerns. The Listening Comprehension score showed her that the more complex the oral instruction, the harder it is for him to remember & understand it. She said this could easily translate to math with it's complex steps for problem solving. She suggested for me to have the school have a speech & language pathologist test him more thoroughly, since this deals with his ability to process language.

The Rapid Naming dealt with rapidly recalling anything. Again, it could translate to the math & the need to rapidly remember math facts in a short amount of time. She is going to recommend the school to look into it more as well.

She also told that she would mail a written report on her findings, along with recommendations for me to take to the school in about a week or so.

If nothing else, this can help us to have the school target certain areas for testing.

The uncertain news is, report cards come home tomorrow, I am not expecting a passing grade in math. And unfortunately, the school puts the math grade weight on the timed math facts test, and if he fails math, they may want him to repeat the grade. Unfortunately, I have a principal who thinks if a kid can't pass a subject or make off the chart scores on the SAT (I'm sure her raises are tied to these scores), then they should repeat the grade.

[Mayleng]

I would not let a kid repeat if they are just going to teach him the same way especially at this high a grade. There are self-esteem issues to think about. I don't think the principal can retain the child without your permission.

Here are some websites that discusses retention:


www.nasponline.org/information/pospaper_graderetent.html

www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at800.htm

users.stargate.net/~cokids/In-Grade_Retention.html


I suggest you get him tested outside by a Audiologist who is familiar with Auditory Processing Disorder/Central Auditory Processing Disorder, look specifically for Tolerance Fading Memory Type APD . If you look under the Comorbid board on this site there is a thread about Tolerance Fading Memory.

millermom.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=comorbids&action=display&thread=1095792681


If your child does have TFM or some other Processing disorder, then his IEP should reflect what the school is going to do to remediate it. For TFM, a Speech Path can work with him on his listening skills and there are accomodations that they can make in the classroom.

[2kids]

I agree. I would not have him retained. So he cant pass a timed test so what. Can he do the work?? I would go to the department of education in your disctrict and find out what the criteria is for retention. I had a similar problem w/ my dau. She was in 2nd grade and the school wanted to retain her because she was 6 mths behind in reading. I live in Fl and if you dont pass the 3rd grade reading fcats you get left back. The schools here are graded from A- F. If your an A school you get more money ect>> So in order to keep there A status they retained you if they didnt think you would pass the fcat. I cant prove that but I know thats what they do just from talking to other people it happened to!! I actually was in contact with the governors ofc. A woment that was the head of NCLB. She heard my story and my dau report card grades. Asked about how many absents. She had about 3 for the yr. She then called the school and spoke to the principle. I found out the school didnt have grounds to retain her. The school was not happy but she was promoted. I then moved her to a new school because I did not like administration. My point is it pays to do your research. Call the governors ofc. Call the superintendants ofc ect>> Find out what and if they can retain him and if not use your contacts to have him promoted!!