All About Dyslexia

[bebe]

MyBaby:

bebe:

Out of curioisity...do yr children know that they are dyslexic?

How do u tell them?
And how do they feel after knowing that they are dyslexic?
Any change in behaviour after knowing their condition?

My DS is now in Primary 2, diagnosed and started sessions at DAS when he was in K2. We do not consciously tell DS that he is dyslexic nor do we hide the term or avoid using the term totally.

When DS just started Pri 1, we told him that he attends DAS as he has a special way of learning to read and write which is different from the way his teachers teach in school. We liken his attending DAS with his older sister attending outside math tuition. So we call DAS as the place he learns to \"read and write\".

When DS started P2 this year, an incident happened such that his teacher had to inform the class that DS is dyslexic (with my permission and also, the teacher didn't exactly use the term as it would be beyond the students anyway, so that teacher used the term \"need help with reading and writing\"'). When DS came back that day, I asked him how he felt when the teacher mentioned that and he said he was ok. It helped that in his class there are students who are also \"\"special kids\".

There was also a recent occasion where he asked me point-blank \"what is dyslexia?\". Since he asked in front of the family during dinner time, he probably didn't mind his condition but just wanted to know. So I answered \"your special way of reading and writing is called dyslexia\" and he accepted it.

I feel that kids (even at a young age) are intelligent and astute - they will sense it even if you don't tell them. So I prefer to tell my child first and in the way I want him to view his dyslexia rather than to hear it from someone else. We prefer him to view it as \"learning differently from others\" and not to view it as a \"difficulty\" or \"inability\".

Thanks for sharing. I think my gal has mild dyslexia but I have not sent her for formal assessment..and I m also concerned abt her self esteem, cos she has inferior complexity, always thinks that she is stupid why she can't think or do thing \"correctly\". In the past, she managed to get by (mainly due to rote learning and memory work)..but now I am afraid she is struggling as her work load is heavier (P3 this year). I hv written to her teacher to advise me her conduct/behaviour in school.

[Peace Charlie]

Hi I’m new in this post… learnt a lot from other parents in KS on dyslexia… recently found out one of my twin might be dyslexic was thinking of sending her for assessment… mayi know how to get about bringing her to KKH for an assessment? Is it advisable to get private tutor to help her in her school work…i’ve been trying to teach her but couldnt afford the time as the other twin will come running asking me for help on her work as well… Twin are in P1 tis year… HELP needed for everyone’s advice…thanks!

[MyBaby]

bebe:

MyBaby:

[quote=\"bebe\"]Out of curioisity...do yr children know that they are dyslexic?

How do u tell them?
And how do they feel after knowing that they are dyslexic?
Any change in behaviour after knowing their condition?

My DS is now in Primary 2, diagnosed and started sessions at DAS when he was in K2. We do not consciously tell DS that he is dyslexic nor do we hide the term or avoid using the term totally.

When DS just started Pri 1, we told him that he attends DAS as he has a special way of learning to read and write which is different from the way his teachers teach in school. We liken his attending DAS with his older sister attending outside math tuition. So we call DAS as the place he learns to \"read and write\".

When DS started P2 this year, an incident happened such that his teacher had to inform the class that DS is dyslexic (with my permission and also, the teacher didn't exactly use the term as it would be beyond the students anyway, so that teacher used the term \"need help with reading and writing\"'). When DS came back that day, I asked him how he felt when the teacher mentioned that and he said he was ok. It helped that in his class there are students who are also \"\"special kids\".

There was also a recent occasion where he asked me point-blank \"what is dyslexia?\". Since he asked in front of the family during dinner time, he probably didn't mind his condition but just wanted to know. So I answered \"your special way of reading and writing is called dyslexia\" and he accepted it.

I feel that kids (even at a young age) are intelligent and astute - they will sense it even if you don't tell them. So I prefer to tell my child first and in the way I want him to view his dyslexia rather than to hear it from someone else. We prefer him to view it as \"learning differently from others\" and not to view it as a \"difficulty\" or \"inability\".

Thanks for sharing. I think my gal has mild dyslexia but I have not sent her for formal assessment..and I m also concerned abt her self esteem, cos she has inferior complexity, always thinks that she is stupid why she can't think or do thing \"correctly\". In the past, she managed to get by (mainly due to rote learning and memory work)..but now I am afraid she is struggling as her work load is heavier (P3 this year). I hv written to her teacher to advise me her conduct/behaviour in school.[/quote]Hi bebe, boosting the child's self-esteem is very important, especially when he/she is likely to face more uphill hurdles in our education system. At P1 and 2, DS is still coping fine. However, I am not certain how things would be like in P3 when school work piles up and with more challenging comprehension passages and compositions to write for both languages.

Look out for strengths in your DD. She might be good with her hands and/or an art form. Or if she's the social type, enrol her in a CCA (maybe uniform group). Find alternate ways to boost her self-confidence.

I find that kids with mild dyslexia tend to be the group that benefits most with intervention by experts.

[MyBaby]

Peace Charlie:

Hi I'm new in this post... learnt a lot from other parents in KS on dyslexia... recently found out one of my twin might be dyslexic was thinking of sending her for assessment... mayi know how to get about bringing her to KKH for an assessment? Is it advisable to get private tutor to help her in her school work...i've been trying to teach her but couldnt afford the time as the other twin will come running asking me for help on her work as well... Twin are in P1 tis year... HELP needed for everyone's advice...thanks!

Hi Peace Charlie, if you suspect your child to be dyslexia (and no other problems), then you might want to do the assessment at Dyslexic Association of Singapore (http://www.das.org.sg/assessments.html).

We brought DS there when he was in K2 and it was quite an easy process and rather fast. Not sure what is the queue like for KKH.

Personally, I find that if your child is dyslexic, it would be best to leave it to the experts (that is, those who are trained) rather than engaging a private tutor to help the child with the school work. The private tutor's work would be reactive - that is, read the question to your child, guide your child towards the correct answers in order to complete the homework. However, your child won't be able to handles tests/exams as she would not have anyone to read the questions to her in exams. Your child needs to be equipped with literacy skills (ability to read and comprehend) which are life skills.

DS attends DAS and using their method, they managed to get DS to read and write when DS's childcare and we could not.

[Peace Charlie]

Hi there


thanks for your advice but what would the cost at DSA like... Anyone tried http://www.edsolution.com.sg they claimed that they have experience dyslexia tutors?

[MyBaby]

Peace Charlie:

Hi there


thanks for your advice but what would the cost at DSA like... Anyone tried http://www.edsolution.com.sg they claimed that they have experience dyslexia tutors?

DAS receives subsidy from MOE. So for school going children (that is, primary 1 onwards) these children need to have a dyslexic diagnosis before being allowed to attend lessons there.

There is some subsidy scheme that is pegged to household income. We do not qualify for any subsidy and pay slightly over $500 for each term - 2hrs lesson per week over 10 weeks.

[Peace Charlie]

Where to go for the assessment test? I tried calling KKH they said they do not see kids above 7yrs so does HPB... They referred me to Child Guidance Clinic but need to get referral letter from school or polyclinic. Any other alternatives? :?

[MyBaby]

Peace Charlie:

Where to go for the assessment test? I tried calling KKH they said they do not see kids above 7yrs so does HPB... They referred me to Child Guidance Clinic but need to get referral letter from school or polyclinic. Any other alternatives? :?

Hi Peace Charlie, are you specifically looking for assessment for dyslexia or is there other concerns?

For dyslexia, I would suggest that you work through DAS, which is a non-profit organisation receiving subsidy from Ministry of Education. DAS has a team of educational psychologist who will do the assessment. If you child is diagnosed as dyslexic, arrangements will be made for your child to attend lessons conducted by their educational therapists at one of their centres.

Check out http://www.das.org.sg/assessments.html for details.

The cost for Full Assessment for Singaporeans is $588.50 (weekdays) and $695.50 (weekends).

Go to http://www.das.org.sg/referral-form-download.html to download a referral form (referral can only be done by the child's family member or guardian).

[limchen]

MyBaby:

Peace Charlie:

Where to go for the assessment test? I tried calling KKH they said they do not see kids above 7yrs so does HPB... They referred me to Child Guidance Clinic but need to get referral letter from school or polyclinic. Any other alternatives? :?

Hi Peace Charlie, are you specifically looking for assessment for dyslexia or is there other concerns?

For dyslexia, I would suggest that you work through DAS, which is a non-profit organisation receiving subsidy from Ministry of Education. DAS has a team of educational psychologist who will do the assessment. If you child is diagnosed as dyslexic, arrangements will be made for your child to attend lessons conducted by their educational therapists at one of their centres.

Check out http://www.das.org.sg/assessments.html for details.

The cost for Full Assessment for Singaporeans is $588.50 (weekdays) and $695.50 (weekends).

Go to http://www.das.org.sg/referral-form-download.html to download a referral form (referral can only be done by the child's family member or guardian).

Hi Peace Charlie

I called DAS and checked if my DD was referred by KKH, would there be \"discount\" for the Assessment. She mentioned no further subsidy as they are not a government organisation. So if you choose to go DAS for the assessment, don't bother to get a referral from KKH or polyclinic. The DAS Assessment waiting time would be about 4-6 weeks. Do call them to ask more questions if you like as I found the coordinator for the assessment center very helpful.

*** extracted from DAS Contact page***
Assessment Services (New Address)
Our assessment services have relocated to the following address

Rex House
73 Bukit Timah Road
#05-01
Singapore 229832
Tel: 6336 2555
Fax: 6643 9643

I also suspect my 5.5yo DD has dyslexia, waiting for her to hit 6yo so that I can send her for the full assessment. Only full assessments are recognised by MOE so that I can get special help/exemption for her if required in primary school.

MyBaby: Thanks for sharing so much, especially managing the emotional aspects of dyslexia with your child.

[MyBaby]

There is an article in today’s Mind Your Body (Pg 10 and 11) about dyslexia. It mentioned that the earlier the intervention, the better the child can be helped in acquiring literacy skills.


I strongly believe in early intervention as I can see my DS benefitting from it.