Autism and dyslexia

Thank you for this.  I'm awaiting a meeting with the ed psych soon.  This is due to his EHCP not being specific, and my concerns around this.  The school has started some one to one support  (he's always had this, but it's now a designated TA for 2 hours in the morning), but there has been no mention about  specialist dyslexia type input.  The school did once pay for a specialist SEN teacher to advise them on dyslexia strategies, and they said this was expensive.

I'll keep a close eye on the outcomes, and ask about specialist dyslexia provision.  I'm glad you've mentioned all of this.  The school used voice to text software last week, and for the first time he talked about what he'd 'written' in literacy, and could recite back all of  his paragraph. I was so proud of him, and happy the technology supported him.  

The psychologist specifically recommended the weekly sessions which made it easy to get the provision into his EHCP at annual review.

The key is to get the professionals to be specific in terms how to address weaknesses identified. Also, if the outcomes aren't being met, ask what needs to change so that they can be achieved.

It is brilliant that your son will be supported by a specialist dyslexia teacher.  I hope he starts making progress.  Was the specialist teacher suggested by the educational psychologist?  

My son was originally diagnosed with ASC and we struggled to get the right support in school. It was only after that was in place, including 1:1), that it was clear that he wasn't making progress with reading (reception reading level at the end of year 2) and Dyslexia was identified by the educational psychologist.

The EHCP has been amended and he will now get weekly support from a specialist dyslexia teacher. We're waiting for this to start to know what difference it will make.

My son has been prescribed yellow overlays through the hospital, and he now has work photocopied, so he doesn't need to copy from the board.   The school is starting to use assistive voice to text technology, which I've wanted them to use for 2 years.    He's making some progress with reading, but not major.  His reading and writing age are 3 years behind his actual age.  

He hates school, and attempts to run away, if he sees an opportunity.  

I do find all of this hard.  I want to make things better for him, but can't.  I think my son finds all of this harder.  He bangs his head when frustrated, and says he'd rather die than go to school.

I like that you say you do homework with your son  every night, if you can.  Mine dislikes homework, and plays up, but if I can do some work regularly, it would surely help.  If he had his way, he'd be watching youtube, and gaming 24/7.

It sounds like you're having better luck at getting your boy to do homework than me.  Any suggestions to motivate my son?

Well we use coloured paper (Irlen Syndrome). I try and get him to do a bit of homework each night, if he has any. There maybe things online that can help him with literacy. 

Hello, my son too has an EHCP, and 1 to 1 support is not specified, but he can't work independently so does get lots of help.  I worry about him making little progress in literacy, and worry about secondary school.  The school have struggled with his dyslexia, and now struggle with his ASD.  I sometimes think the dyslexia is the most difficult aspect for him, because it causes meltdowns and low self esteem at school, but then I realise how sensory issues effect him too.  He also has visual stress.  How are you 2 coping, and what works?  Please let me know your opinions.

My son has dyslexia and ASD. he is in year 8. I also have ASD and dyslexia. My son has a EHCP, get 1:1 in school. 

Hi,

Thank you for this.  I sometimes feel my son's severe dyslexia has led to poor levels of self worth, and anxiety about school, and being judged.  Yet, as you say, it's difficult to separate dyslexia and ASD.  His ASD symptoms have got really apparent over the last 6 months.

I'm coming to terms with his ASD diagnosis, but am fearful for his future.  School seem very aware of autism, and of dyslexia, but not combined.  I also think their awareness does not always equal understanding.

Thank you so much for replying, and I do hope you get answers next month.

Hi

My dyslexic son is in year 5.

I believe he has ASD too like his older brother.

It’s difficult to separate sometimes what behaviour is caused by dyslexia and what could be ASD e.g slower processing in conversations leading to him often getting it wrong and misinterpreting people’s intentions.

He was assessed by an Ed psych at age 7. He is being reassessed next month and I’m hoping we will find out a bit more.