[senco-forum] dyslexia

Stuart Lucas <lucass at loretto.com> wrote:     
1. What do you think is an appropriate age to assess for dyslexia ?
2. What tests are used to assess primary pupils for dyslexia and at
what age? - is it successful?

Here in Devon we (that is the LA EP service, specialist support teachers, schools) have  moved away from a focus on 'assessing for dyslexia' - at any age. We have acknowledged that spending a lot of time effort and resources on identifying a particular group of pupils as dyslexic - and differentiating this group from other 'common or garden poor readers' is misguided. 

  We do use the term dyslexia  in some cases - to recognise  severe and persistent literacy difficulties (using the British Psychological Society definition of dyslexia), but there is no one test able to identify these pupils and since the label itself tells us nothing about the childs particular needs - and nothing about how to intervene,  I wonder what would be gained from a policy of assessing pupils for dyslexia at 7?

  In Devon we are focusing much more on the good initial teaching of literacy, making Devon classrooms generally more dyslexia- friendly, and promoting a careful process of assessment through teaching and appropriately targeted support for any pupils who require it. 

  Julie (EP)

Loretto School is a Registered Charity, number SCO13978
Registered Office: 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh, EH3 6HR, number SCO59500
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