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Is my Daughter ADD or Dyslexia

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

Hi, I am new here and at my last wits end in finding out why it is my nine year old is so stuck in school, she is in third grade, and has an IEP in place, but still struggles so much, the school has suggested ADD, but with my husbands past diagnosis with Dyslexia, I feel she may have this.

She is scheduled to see a Phy. in a couple of days to get hopefully a diagnosis. For the last three years we have done extensive tutoring, summer school, and helping her at home and she is just stuck. It’s like she just isn’t getting it, will she ever or will she be one who will always struggle in school, I want so much for her and it is so upsetting to see how much she does struggle,and have little progress.

Am I doing everything I need to? I try to put her in activites that she loves like art, drama, so she has some outlet to see she is successful. Tell me anything else I can do to help her, or do I just hope for the best?

Submitted by lovemy3kiddos on Tue, 09/25/2007 - 1:28 AM

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Hello,

We have a very similar situation! I can’t believe the similarities.

My daughter is in the 4th grade and is 10 years old and was diagnosed last year as having ADD. I was kind of surprised but a lot of the symptoms did sound a lot like her so I went with it. I have been thinking since the first grade she could possibly have dyslexia like her father but no one seemed think so. She struggles with spelling and reading but is very bright. She also excels with music, art, and drama. She loves it and has such confidence in her ability.

She has a IEP in place for the ADD. I’m just afraid that maybe she was misdiagnosed and will need more help as school get’s harder.

I’m curious to see what happens when you talk to the physiologist.

Also, if she does have dyslexia she can very well go to college and succeed. My husband has a engineering degree and he dyslexic. He still struggles with reading and writing and it’s a challenge for him in the work place but he does well.

Since we have such a similar situation I would not mind if you e mailed me.

Submitted by scifinut on Tue, 09/25/2007 - 1:41 AM

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My dd has many complicating factors and seemed to get stuck at third grade. From there until 6th grade she made very little progress. She really blossomed and started making significant strides after 6th grade.

Don’t give up! Keep trying different things and looking for ALL the things that might be complicating education. Don’t be afraid to try some technology to help in weak areas. Continue offering activities that help them feel successful.

Submitted by lillian12 on Tue, 09/25/2007 - 3:38 AM

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A child can have both dyslexia and AD/HD. It is estimated that 30-35% of children with dyslexia have comorbid AD/HD, and some estimates put the likelihood of a comorbid learning disability with AD/HD to be as high as 50%. Treating AD/HD alone will not treat the dyslexia and vice versa. It is important, however, that the AD/HD is treated so that the child can focus and concentrate on the remediation the child is receiving for dyslexia. Therefore, the thought is that you treat the AD/HD first, then you remediate the dyslexia. If your child is still struggling after being treated for AD/HD, the child should be evaluated for a learning disability, and, if you suspect dyslexia, for dyslexia, also. To find someone to evaluate your child for dyslexia, I suggest calling your International Dyslexia Association’s local chapter and asking for a list of specialists in the dxing of dyslexia in your area.

To learn more about dyslexia, visit this website and watch the free videos.

http://www.dys-add.com/

Submitted by Janis on Tue, 09/25/2007 - 6:00 PM

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Of the children I teach/tutor in reading, some are truly dyslexics and others are struggling because of undiagnosed attention problems. Once medicated, they learn to read with appropriate instruction. Children who are very bright also may not appear delayed enough in reading in the early years, perhaps because of a good sight word memory. However, these children may be dyslexic, and it will show up more as words in text become more difficult. What is needed is a good reading evaluation by someone who specializes in dyslexia. Contact your state International Dyslexia Association for names of people who test. But as someone has already said, please be sure ADHD is treated before you begin reading therapy.

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