We had this same issue with my son's school. He was never below grade level and therefore, the school wouldn't test and wouldn't do any kind of intervention. I can kind of see their point, except that my son is an exceptional student in all other ways. Also, the bar is so low for reading in the younger grades that it's likely that a highly gifted child would develop some kind of coping skills in reading that will keep them at the minimal level (which my son did).

I suspected dyslexia in kindergarten and asked about it then, but the teacher was dismissive. Same in 1st. Same in 2nd. And then I finally had to have him privately tested in he fall of his 2nd grade year.

Private testing is much better than school testing anyway because you get so much more information and recommendations appropriate for your child. It was only after I had that info that the school paid any attention at all. They still wouldn't give him intervention, but he did get a 504 right away and he was able to write on a computer. We had to do private tutoring for 2 1/2 years to bring his reading level up to something more appropriate for his abilities.


It's not fair your school won't test, but you will likely bang your head against that wall for years while your child isn't getting the help he or she needs-- so I suggest you get outside testing and take it to the school. They can't ignore the data once you have it. We did our testing through a Childrens Hospital. While it cost $1500, insurance picked up all but our deductible since he was diagnosed with a disability (if he had been fine, we would have had to pay).

I also suggest you start tutoring or some other kind of intervention on your own. It's actually a catch 22 because your dd will do better at reading and the school will be even less likely to help her. But with dyslexia, early intervention is extremely important and if you can afford it, it's money well-spent to get your dd the help she needs right now.

I suggest you go to wrightslaw dot com for information on how to advocate.


Last edited by syoblrig; 10/09/12 05:34 AM.