Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment WISC-IV TESTING

Ok, so you are testing the Dyslexia. I don't think that you 'exactly' heard the person you spoke with at the Gifted Center. Or if you did, I disagree.

Here's how I would state it -
Yes, if the ADHD is there, deal with it.
Yes, Look for 'co-morbid' conditions, such as Dyslexia, hearing problems, CAPD, vision problems, vision coordination problems (golly I forgot what the name is)
Yes, get to know his learning style and make the most of his giftedness.

And no - don't let his sit around quitly in a schoolroom with a perscription and extra time and still never having a chance to shine. If taking the medication allows him to learn while he is in school - then great, if not, you homeschool him. That's not a reason to be afraid of ADHD diagnosis if it is part of his picture.\

Situations can be very complicated, and you are moving forward by getting the dyslexia checked. You can't fix this in one day or one week or one month - just keep taking steps, ok?

It isn't that the schools 'don't care' - it is that the folks there have been taught that there are certian developmental paths that kids follow. And most kids do indeed follow the 'normal' paths. But some kids don't. Those kids are few enough that they are easy to blame and ignore. Human being wouldn't have survive to this day if every single morning every person questioned everything - this is the way we are. But once in a while a parent or a teacher will suddenly look at a child freshly and see the actual child even if that child is at a really different place. It is a beautiful thing, but don't get hung up on blaming a system that works well for lots and lots of kids. I do look forward to the day when the tools of examining what a child's readiness level become more sophisticated and all teachers become skilled at using these tools and creating individualized teaching for every child.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

I think what they were trying to say is not just slap him with the label when there is a reason behind it and walk away. I agree, thats why Im doing this option first.

As far as the school, I have personal views on that and the NCLB that Is off subject and yet another reason I choose to homeschool.

Thanks for the words of encouragement to keep chugging forward, I will. I dont give up easily. I too believe, I have ADD issues but getting to the bottom of all this is a mystery for me. How, why, when..

Candey

I think the academic testing is somewhat inconclusive. His reading composite at 90 is somewhat lower than his VCI and a lot lower than PRI, but is still in the average range (ave runs between 85 and 115). But, there is a pattern of overall lower language arts scores. His spelling score is telling - and a low score often indicates that the student has not mastered the word patterns/ rules of English - perhaps flagging an area of weakness.

If you suggest reading or language based learning disabilities, I'm afraid you will need more data. The tests I suggested earlier would be a start (CTOPP, GORT, TOWRE, WJRMT). Additionally, you might consider a speech and language evaluation by a person that has an expertise in reading/writing as well as listening/speaking. His lower VCI scores and lower language arts achievement could be a result of some language processing difficulty. Attention/reading/language processing often go hand in glove.