Fact Finding

January 5th, 2010

Hi there, I am just beginning my journey through dyslexia, ADD, etc. Our middle of 5 children is 13 yo, Year 7. She struggles with spelling and fluency. We recently had her tested, her results were high IQ but poor rate and fluency, yet good comprehension. Query, dyslexia?, auditory processing? My husband, David and his brother have always been slow readers, yet have worked in the literary world – Poet, Author, Pastor! Recently we discovered some first cousins with ?dyslexia and ?ADHD. Our other 4 children excel in Literacy. One has been labelled a ‘genius’ for her age (8yo). So our poor middle daughter, Anna, feels really ‘dumb’ (her words). Not sure where to begin?
- Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,
Dyslexia is an inherited condition. If your husband is a slow reader, if he has to say every word in his head when reading silently then this a form of dyslexia.

I was taught in the Uk and my Center follows the British Dyslexia Association. So what i say is not always the same as what you are told in Australia.

Auditory processing disorder is also a form a dyslexia and all dyslexics have this to some extent.
In the Uk we test for dyslexia before testing for ADHD or ADD. if dyslexia can account for the kids problems then we call her dyslexic and do not assume that she also has ADD or ADHD. Very few kids are medicated in the UK and it considered extremely old fashioned to merely give a kid drugs.

I recently discussed this with a top psych in the BDA by phone. They have no policy on getting kids off ritaline because they not put on it in the fist place, She was extremely shocked to hear what was going on Australia regarding Amphetamine drugs.

Hope this helps
Dawn

Entry Filed under: Dyslexia,General