My son has Dyslexia.........

My son James has Dyslexia , Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and ADHD..These are all three major learning problems. In the school I was given so many different opinions about him.He had problems as well with social boundaries mostly because kids thought he was wierd and didn't want to play with him.He started having "meltdowns" because of his frustration in his learning environment .I had made lots of concessons for him due to his difficulties and he knew i understood his needs. at home but at school they didn't get it...The problem I had was trying to educate the teachers that my kid was not unable to learn....he only needed the right environment with proven multi-sensory learning programs.He was starting to suffer from depression last year and losing his love of learning (Science ,Social Studies and History). I have taken him out of school and placed him in a private school that uses the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading..I had proof that he succeeded in this program and they still refused to offer it to my son..He learned how to read at a summer program, I found and paid for offered at The Dunn Institute in Providence,RI. He is now at a private school for Dyslexics and he has been voted the School Council Representative. He has friends with the same needs and a supportive setting with a small teacher;child ratio. I can't afford this either. I don't know what is next............I'm praying for a miracle

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Was your son ever covered by an IEP? There are situations where students have been funded in such a setting. If your system could not offer a setting in which he was successful - it may be possible to get the district to fund him.

Have you consulted an attorney?

I assume that you are documenting everything, taking notes in all of your meetings, getting independent reports, etc.

After many years of frustration with our school situation, we retained a lawyer who advised us on strategy, what moves to make when, what letters to send to whom, what reports to get from which consultants, etc.

I stood up in an IEP meeting to demand that the district pay to send our daughters to a private LD school. By then it was clear we would likely win a case that would cost the district big bucks plus attorney fees. "Miraculously", an appropriate program was announced in that very meeting, in the public school, 3 blocks away!

We are cautiously optimistic that the kids are finally in the right setting. They're getting specialized instruction in a classroom of 6 kids, and getting to spend non-academic time with all of their friends from the rest of the school.

I'm sure that it's costing the district less to set up this program for 6 kids than they would have spent just to send our 2 to private school.

I would like to invite you to join the "Attention and Learning Difficulities" group here at Great Schools. There are many parents there who may be able to share their experiences and offer some additional insights. Here is a link to that goup:

community.greatschools.net/groups/11554

Welcome!

My son also began attending a private school in 3rd grade that uses the OG method and offers small classes and an appropriate environment. It has changed his life and ours for the better.

It is possible to attain public funding for a private placement. (we did) But, you need a strategy and usually a good lawyer.

Best of luck!

What state are you in????

Massachusetts

I'd like to suggest you contact and excellent Attorney. Andrew Cuddy is a special education attorney that has faught for many kids. Kids like yours and mine. I am sure he would be able to help you. He also has a book "The Special education Battlefield". Excellent book to read and get information from. Cuddy lives and works in Auburn NY and has a website available
145 E. Genesee Street
Auburn, NY 13021
ph: 440-570-9171
fax: 718-569-6466
akcuddy132@aol.com
Give him a call !!

He may be eligible for special ed services under IDEA spec ed catagory of "specific learning disability" which would provide specialized instruction such as OG or similar.

Even though he is in a private school you can request the district evaluate your child for disabilities in the areas (but not limited to these areas) of reading, writing, math, etc.. A lot of districts do not recognise the term "Dyslexia" b/c it is considered a medical diagnosis and they aren't qualified to do this, so don't request dyslexia eval you have to request it how I described above.

An eval will take a little while (approx 60 school days, you'd be surprised how long that is) so you may want to put your request in soon, especially given we are already in the 2nd half of the school year.

My son did qualify but they refused to pay for the OG and gave me an inadequate tutor who just learned how to teach OG in a two week course.The services only lasted till I got him the help he needed out of pocket and then they said he no longer qualified because he was reading on level. Although, his fluency was way below average but his word id was exceptional and that made him look(to his teachers) as a good reader. These tests scores when combined average out weaknesses unless they are pulled apart and understood by parents. Most parents i HAVE SPOKE TO, HAVEN'T A CLUE. IF THEY ARE PASSING THEY ARE HAPPY. My son would only make progress in the summer with qualified teachers teaching OG. I have been through all you can publicly. It was only causing him greater frustration. The school district refused any further support than what they had been doing although miserably failing to educate him.His grades also got better the more I complained (go figure) I have worked with lawyers, advocates and so many professional my head was spinning. I have finally found the right fit although its going to send me into financial ruin...What choices do I have????

You could use his standardized test scores, etc. while in public school compared to his current scores in private school to show his lack of progress in public schools and his progress in private school where he is recieving adequate instruction to get public school services via complaint system (ie compensatory services).

Only the squeekiest wheels get oiled in some districts.

You can research grants, scholarships, and other funding and/or education options as well. If I run across any links to such info I'll post it for you.

Other than doing battle with your district via state and/or US dept of Ed's OCR, I can't think of any funding options available for parents in situations such as yours.

I've been in the same situation and walked in similar shoes (financially & educationally). My son, who has Dysgraphia, ADHD, Visual Perception problems, and more, just had his 20th birthday last month (he is finished school).

You will get through this rough time, and your persistance along with dedication to your child's emotional and educational needs will pay off.

Thanks...I know he is getting his needs met and I will continue this fight.. I hope others will become more informed and make our schools give the children what they deserve in ALL districts.....An education suitable to their needs

Yes definitely get a lawyer.

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