It is not in the scope of practice of an SLP to diagnose dyslexia. And, unless (as mentioned above) the particular SLP you are considering has some pretty specific training regarding dyslexia, the evaluation would be more of a broad language evaluation than specific for the needs of a kiddo with dyslexia. While a language evaluation can give you some great information, it will not give you all of the info you need for getting help for your dc. If there is finances for only one or the other, it would likely be more beneficial to spend the $ on a (qualified!!) psych eval.

I have to say thanks! I was looking through Barton threads for help with my ds2 who is in the midst of Level 4 .... and struggling. I don't know how or why I didn't realize there are free extra sheets on the barton website, but I realized it after reading through a few threads here! So - Yay for extra practice sheets!

Julie of KY - can you expand on that comment a bit???? Opposites how?

I've not heard of Bravewriter! Will certainly be looking into it!!!

I've done Level 4 with DS1 and am in the midst of it with DS2....it is just a massive amount of new and difficult stuff for kiddos with dyslexia!!! One thing that I found helpful.... In each lesson repeat it until it sticks - so say, Lesson 5 - go through New Teaching and the the Read and Spell with Tiles - as many times as needed. Then, I move on to the Read words, Spell words, Read Phrases, Spell Phrases - and at this point, if needed (which, let's be honest, in this level it is usually needed!) I repeat the spell words and spell phrases again before moving on to Sentences. Then do Sentences and go back through the spell words, then phrases then sentences AGAIN if needed. So, each Lesson takes a LONG time....but, I can feel pretty confident that it's "sticking" by this point! Also, DS1 is going through Level 5 MUCH more easily that he did with Level 4 (I haven't had to repeat as above until this lesson - halfway through the book!)

If anyone has any experience with either of these, I'd love some input! DS1 (nearly 10) is in the middle of Barton level 5 and DS2 (age 8) is in Barton level 4 (during which we repeat/stick with each lesson until he "gets it"....this level is just so stinkin' difficult!) I have had them do copywork, but have not addressed "writing" (as in, composition) thus far (or at least, not "formally"!) Now, though, I am debating between IEW (institute for excellence in writing http://iew.com/ ) and Here to Help Learning (http://heretohelplearning.com/). I have researched IEW alot and know it is a great program with many people who love it. I saw Here to Help Learning at our recent local Homeschool Convention/Conference and it looks promising - and entertaining (a big bonus for my boys). For what it's worth, I went to the convention expecting that I would leave there with the IEW products I had planned to purchase there....but, then saw the Here to Help Learning booth. Talked to the person there (the husband/owner) and watched some of the video stuff. Then, I wasn't sure which one might be a better fit for us!?! (grrrrr.....sometimes too many choices just makes homeschooling life more difficult ;) )

Thank you ALL for the input! MyLittleBears - if/when I get the IEW stuff I want, I will assume that I will be doing the physical writing (for now!), but I am ok with that! I'd rather have my boys have an understanding of *how* to write (how to put a sentence, paragraph, story) together properly than have them worry about spelling the words, again, for now! After talking with a couple of moms from Co-op, I am even more sure that it is something I want and need to purchase! (though, since our local convention is next month and IEW will have a booth, I *might* just wait to get it there! ;) ) And, OneStepAtATime - I agree regarding reading words/books after level 4. DS1 (just starting level 5) now reads ALL the time (Imagination Station and MineCraft books primarily). I feel crazy telling him he *has to* stop reading to go to sleep, but it must be done or he'd stay up reading all night! (he's like me and just wants to find out what happens next....aka, "just one more page/chapter"! :-)

DS1 is 9 1/2 and DS2 is nearly 8 and both are dyslexic. DS1 is now reading - Yay Barton Reading and Spelling!!! He is just beginning Level 5....Level 4 is TOUGH!!! And DS2 is starting Level 4. I would really love to get them writing more now (or I should say, composing....I want them to know *how* to organize and write papers, but they are not necessarily able, yet, to do so due to the spelling aspect of it. Though, with help, it could work. Anyway, I've looked frequently at IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) and I really feel like it could be a good fit for my boys (very structured). But, what I don' know.... for anyone who does or has used it - is it at all feasible to *just* get the "Teaching Writing: Structure and Style [seminar Practicum and Workbook]" or do I *have to* have the DVD Seminar, Premium Subscription too? Are there other really good writing programs out there that you love that teach the structure aspect (the WHY of how/why we put sentences together the way we do for "good" writing)?

Does your school district do a thoroughly comprehensive evaluation for dyslexia?? Here, for example, in order to get an accurate diagnosis, it is through a Psychologist. Considering a family history (her younger sister is diagnosed, yes) and "similar symptoms", your 9th grader could still have dyslexia (or any of the other issues you mentioned), but only a very thorough eval will catch that (and not all school evals are thorough enough!). For that matter, anyone doing testing for dyslexia really needs to have plenty of experience with dyslexia specifically (i.e., cant' just go to any psychologist, have to have one who is familiar and experienced with it!)

The first advice I would give....Trust your gut!!! Mama's have "instincts" or gut feelings or niggles in our minds for a reason - we really should trust them!! A great screening is the Barton Student Screening (and the website has lots of great info re: dyslexia too) at http://www.dys-add.com/videos/bartonStudentScreening.html Also, dyslexia is a pretty broad "spectrum" of difficulties (e.g., not all kids with dyslexia have the letters move/jump... my ds1 has diagnosed profound dyslexia and moving/jumping letters was not ever an issue for him.) Does your ds have any other symptoms? Difficulty with Directionality and/or Time concepts (left/right, up/down, front/back, before/after, etc)? Does he have a good expressive vocabulary? If so, is he able to express his thoughts fluently or does he get "stuck" (i.e., can't think of or find a word, though he knows it)? Are "sequencing" tasks (like tying shoes) difficult? With all of that said, he *is* still young (and a boy and a second child.....I know, I know....it's not *supposed to* matter....but it does :) ). So, go through some those questions, maybe look at the Barton website (maybe do the student screening - my ds2 completely, utterly failed it when I did it with him at 6 yrs old - he is not 7 1/2 and just started Barton Level 4). Then, if you still have a niggling feeling or instinct - trust it!

OhE - No OT....but, perhaps something I need to look into! There has, thus far, not been a need for it (his motor skills are actually quite good and sensory issues we provide as needed(like the fan, etc). Hubby "blames" (not in a mean way, though!) me saying I "created" this because I am a bit like that - that I some how made our son become like this (our bedroom is very dark and I have a white noise machine for me) :) I'll definitely have to look for the books!!! And, the snacks! He frequently asks for something to eat before bed because he's hungry (and if we had an early dinner and he had basketball practice....he is hungry.). I hadn't really thought to monitor the effect of the different snack options, but I will have to do that!!! Crimson - ds1 is very definitely not adhd.

Is the specialists concern that Barton 1 would be too much - that your dd would need remediation before beginning Barton? If so, then what you can do in the meantime is LOTS of sound play (hearing the *sound* of letters) and, most importantly, LOTS of listening to good books!!! Audio books are awesome! If you are going to be doing Barton with your dd and specialist thinks she can start with Barton (e.g., doesn't need LiPs or other pre Barton remediation) then I don't know why not start! It may mean that your dd needs more time with some of the lessons, but that is one of the best aspects of Barton....you get to go at the *childs* pace - and go over it all as long and much as needed!

I might have to look into Melatonin if what we are doing doesn't help!! He sleeps on the bottom bunk of his bunk bed in a corner of his room. His bed is more like a "fort" (of his own creation!) with blankets, pillows and stuffies all around. He has a (loud) floor fan on all night - essentially the only purpose is the noise; AND has a sound machine with the "tranquility" music setting (his choice) playing all night. He doesn't ever complain about or mention any issues with regards to bedding/textures, but maybe I'll ask him specifically about it! Really, his bed is made up to HIS specifications (I put on the bed sheet, tuck in the top sheet and comforter because those things are difficult to do in a bunk bed!!! But, he does all of the rest!)!

DS1 (age 9.5) has never, ever been a "good" sleeper. Now, once he can go to sleep, he does sleep ok. BUT, the difficulty now is the *getting TO sleep*. He has been having "bad dreams" - though he comes out of his room after only 15-20 minutes and so was never asleep, so we now call them "bad thoughts" (he was not asleep to have been dreaming). He has an exceptionally good memory AND an incredible imagination....I feel like those collide at bedtime to create a "bad thought" out of something he saw/read/remembered mixed with an imaginary and now, scary, component. Things we have tried and the problem with it: Talking him *into* a good thought (e.g., a happy memory - especially of a place we visited) kind of a visualization task - this can take a Long time and he will likely go back to the "bad thought" as soon as I (or DH) leave the room Reading - he is reading now (YAY!!!!!) and (this part I totally get it) if he picks up a chapter book (currently, Imagination Station, Adventures in Odyssey books) he wants to read the whole thing. He really, really has trouble disengaging from the story once he starts it (so do I, but that is why I don't / try not to read books before bed!!! (same thing with tv shows or movies...for me AND for ds1)) But, if it is not a chapter book, he might read 3 or 4 or 10 books before he can *let it go* "Thankful thoughts" (recounting (to himself) everything and everyone he is thankful for) - he *gives up* after only a bit (few seconds, minute?) of trying this. New: Turning his "bad thought" (a "pit" that opens up under him and he falls, endlessly, into it) into a story - HIS story and creating solutions (a net that stops the falling, a rope and a ladder to climb out). And, having him illustrate it. Also, *consistently* giving him his "Natural Calm* (powdered magnesium that we mix with water....we call it "vitamin water") at dinner time each day. So far, the new ideas are working better.....BUT I would LOVE to know what others have done for kiddos with trouble falling asleep and/or turning OFF the brain!

YES!!!!! I am using Barton with both of my boys (currently oldest (9.5 yrs) is *nearly* finished with Level 4 and youngest (7.8 yrs) *just* started Level 4! I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have A place to go to look for/at games and strategies!!!!