Has anyone else had this experience in public school?

by B. Flystar
(Oregon)

My 7 year old son works with an occupational therapist, speech therapist and special ed teacher at his school. They have told me that he's a bit of a enigma. I've done research on both SPD and dyslexia and he seems to have more symptoms of true dyslexia in my opinion. The school needs him to have SPD it seems though, because they can't treat or diagnose just dyslexia.




His symptoms include: Reversing letters and entire words, overwhelmed in the classroom, completely zoning out. Extreme imagination, great long term memory, loves to run but doesn't really play well with other kids on playground, very passive, at home extremely outgoing and talkative, speech slightly delayed, is very loving with hugs and kisses, very in touch with other's feelings and emotions, absolutely hates academic schoolwork, doing homework is very hard, acts like he's sick when doing homework, is shy around others, confident with people he knows well, does not perform at his current grade level, yet sometimes surprises teachers with having correct answers, loves animals and is never rough, has good hand-eye coordination.

And, there's so many other things too, etc. etc. We're to the point now where the teachers would like it if I could find private help for him. I'll do that, but I was wondering if anyone here has a child that fell in this category. Our son is happy who he is and actually quite confident. In fact, he always tells us about the kids at school that do goofy things and get in trouble.

Thank-you!!



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Sep 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		thanks for your responses!
by: B. Flystar

My son is now entering the 2nd grade and I do feel fortunate to be in this district. I think what amuses me the most is the attitude the teachers have. I'm always worried about him and asking questions and they seem so reassuring even though they really don't fully understand what is going on. I think I'm glad now that they say he has SPD.

Last year a new symptom began showing up and he started stuttering so hard he completely freezes up. Then, moments later, he's fine, and not traumatized by it at all. He continues to learn at his own pace, behind where he should be, but is incredibly athletic and wants to be a runner and is a wiz at tree climbing. I hope that maybe he can just find his own path to follow. Thank-you again.
Sep 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Public school
by: Anonymous

I live in TX also and yes, Dsylexia falls under the 504 umbrella. SPD is usually something that is treated by OT unless they have symptoms that might qualify them for Special Ed. Under 504 students receive services from a teacher who has had training in Dsylexia and ways to help them learn to read. OT on the other hand will help with behavior problems in the classroom, handwriting skills and possibly some other sensory issues that your child might have. It is possible to receive Dsylexia and OT services. The key is the testing that must be done to get your child qualified for Dsylexia services. If you can keep from it do not have your child receive Special Education services, if is truly dsylexia then those are the services you need. Many times children who are in Special ed are not able to receive dsylexia services because they attribute it to their disability.
Sep 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		My problem is opposite
by: Anonymous

Your child and mine sound similar. He has trouble getting his thoughts on paper. He would rather be beat than write anything. He works with a Title 1 teacher for difficulties with reading, a special ed teacher for written expression, and the OT/PT/ Speech Path. My district doesn't recognize SPD as a valid diagnosis to treat him. They want to label him as Autistic or PDD. They have told me they are going to pull his services if I don't agree to some category they want him in... I would LOVE to have him recognized as a SPD child!! I have even asked since it is a medical diagnosis could we have him qualified as Other Health Impaired... If you have a district that will qualify him with SPD count yourself lucky!
Jun 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dsylexia and SPD
by: Carolyn

It seems as though your child has symptoms in both categories. Your child should be able to receive services through a special reading teacher for the dsylexia. The services in TX fall under what we call 504 which I believe stands for a Federal Law dealing with disabilities. As far as the SPD that falls under Occupational Therapy usually. There should be no reason that your child can't receive services for both. They may want to have him tested for dsylexia which varies from state to state and even school to school.

Ask questions about the dsylexia services and see what they say about qualifying for them. Sometimes they do not want to test young children because letter reversal is often common in children learning to read. If it continues to be a problem then ask questions and pursue it through the school district.

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