Learning Disablility?

Found this website, hope this helps
http://www.scholastic.com/earlylearner/experts/learning/3...

It sounds like some form of dislexia (I don't even know if I spelled that correctly). Has she been tested at all? You sound like a good mom to be on top of this though! Good luck!

Hi T.,
We had a similar experience with my son when he was in 1st grade. Brains are funny things! They just don't all work the same for everybody! Don't worry. If you are in a public school, you are just where you need to be, you just have to work the system. First, allow the school to test your daughter for special ed. She probably won't qualify because she is obviously very smart and her ability is high. Just think what her brain needs to do to write in mirror image and upside down!!! What you will get from that test is a paper trail from the school. Talk to your pediatrician and ask to have a perscription for an occupational therapy evaluation at your local children's hospital or neurologist. We had ours done at AI Dupont, but I'm sure CHOP will do the same. We also got a pediatric neurologist on board. That will tell you everything you need. I can't stress enough how important the evaluation is, not only for the school, but for your own information. You have to parent this little darling for many years to come. If you understand more about how her brain works, life will be much easier and not so much of a mystery. Finally, once you have a diagnoses, the school is federally mandated to provide services for her; accomodations in the classroom, like extra instructions on activities etc. These accomodations will probably be things she won't see but will level the playing field with other kids. You just have to be the advocate here and push for what your kid needs. She sounds like a really neat kid! Someday maybe she'll be an architect or designer that needs to see things in 3D. BTW, my son is in 5th grade. He has a fine motor delay and visual relations difference. He is very smart, just sees things differently than others. He's getting A's and is well adjusted. It's going to be fine. I know it's scary, but I bet your daughter will be fine too. The more you know about her, the better it will be for all of you.

Good Luck,
L.

T.:

I would agree with the other mothers on this one. Get her tested for dislexia. I had similar "abilities" growing up. I could write upside down and backwards. Still can and sometimes I like to show off. :) Another problem I experience is when someone reads off a number (like a phone number) I almost always write it down in a different order. I must have them say it twice for me so I can correct myself. I still catch myself writing my "e", "L" and "s" backwards. But I know about it...and I can watch myself. It doesn't affect my learning ability persay, I just have a mild case of it.

Good luck!

T.,

I am dealing with an apparent learning disability in my 5-year old. She has a similar problem with letters and numbers. She was tested by the school district and they found that she qualifies for services. But there testing was incomplete, so I asked for and was granted an independent education evaluation, which I am pursuing.

I suggest you start with testing by the school district. "Testing" a child sounds awful, but the evaluators simply play well-designed games with the child. It's very unintrusive. First, tell them all your concerns. Make sure they have an occupational therapist involved. Hopefully, they will identify issues that explain your daughter's behavior. If not, ask for an IEE.

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Trust your instincts.

Have you spoken to the ped. about this. You may also want to take her to a psychologist that does IQ type testing and see if they can examine her and see if they can figure out how her brain is processign the info. My parent's did this for my brother who has a very rare form of dyslexia and it answered alot of questiosn for them and gave them some ways to help him learn. My daughter loves to write her whole name backwards, all the letters in the right order but facing the wrong way. We had to work for hours to get her to do it right while her twin wrote her name after just a few tries. they are also in kindergarten. Just be patient and keep workign with the teacher and your child, alot of dyslexia type issues are things you have to learn to overcome and retrain your brain. Good luck.

You can request (put it in writing) that the school test her (some schools will call it a multidisciplinary evaluation) for a learning disability. Sometimes it IS hard to determine a discrepency in a kindergartner when the achievement expectations are still lower (they look for a difference between full scale IQ and academic achievement because IQ SHOULD predict achievement - in kids with learning disabilities, their IQs might be average or high, but achievement - despite the high IQ - is much lower).

You may also want to consider asking the school's occupational therapist to take a look at her. They may be able to determine whether there is a problem with visual perception. I've seen students with - not the same - but similar problems who have also qualified for OT services as well as special ed services for learning disabilities.

At the very least, the testing will give you information about how your daughter learns that can help you and her teachers help her - learning disability or not.

Hi T.,
My daughters teacher said the same to a few of us that they tend to write backwards but after alittle time it changes. My husband had a problem with this when he was young and was sent to the child study team they tested him and he was able to get the help he needed. He now at 32 has no problems. So if you aren't sure with the teacher look into the child study team that is why they are there. Good luck. R.

Hi T.,
As an elementary teacher, I have not seen the type of behaviors you describe in your daughter. However, I would strongly encourage you to have her go through the special ed testing at her school (if she is in private or parochial school, you can still get free testing through your public school system, you may just have to push a little harder for it). Since your daughter's verbal abilities are strong and her writing/drawing is correct (only backwards/upside down), that usually signals a discrepancy between intelligence and ability. You might want to check out this website http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/mag30.html for teaching children with dyslexia. I have no idea if this is your daughter's problem, but these multi-sensory teaching methods can be helpful for ALL children and might be a different approach for your daughter. Best of luck! If you have further questions, feel free to email me. N.

I was a special ed teacher for five years and I have a daughter with a learning disability. I would encourage you to have your daughter tested by school specialists. It is a free service of your public school. Tell your daughter's teacher that you are concerned and you would like your daughter tested. They cannot deny you this right. They should be very accomidating. The tests they use are designed to detect a disability if there is one. You can't lose and your concerns will be addressed. Good luck! K.

Hi T., I wish I had an answer for you but I definitely agree that you should not leave this up to chance just in case it doesn't go away. Continue to try and find an answer. I am a nurse as well, I will ask around. Also have you considered emailing those medical reporters on WebMD, DR Brian McDonald, or Dr Sanjay Gupta (not sure of spelling) on CNN. I believe they all have a forum for questions and answers. And by the way, your daughter sounds like a precocious kid, some type of genius. All the Best.

My little sister use to have this problem when she was in kidergarder. She is in college now and doing fine. When she was little they called it dislexia but she has out grown it I guess you would say. While i am sure it will pass, I would say that it is better to adress the problem now as opposed to waiting it out. Talk to you r pediatrician, or someone who specialized in special ed and deals with IEP's and such on a regular basis. IT will give you a chance to gather all the details and may make you feel better. Good Luck

My daughter just turned 5 yesterday and I've seen her write her name in mirror image many times. I think she does realize the difference when I point it out to her, but I think it's definitely developmental. I've also noticed that some of her classmates do the same thing.

So does your daughter ALWAYS draw/write in mirror images, or only sometimes? If it's always I might be concerned. But maybe some practice tracing letters with you at home? Good luck!

This is most likely some sort of dislexia or similar disorder. She needs to see a specialist and the school should do it for free. Insist and persist with the school. I am certian she is very intelligent and if she is taught how to modify the problem you will see she is above average in intelligence. If you can not get anywhere with the school contact your pediatrition and ask for a referal to a specialist.

Hi T.. I have a 4 yr old with autism and it doesn't spark any real red flags BUT by no means am I a doctor. I do agree with getting her eyes checked and the 1st thing I thought of if it was my kid is delexia (sp?).
I'd confer with your pdoc ASAP. I'd have her eyes checked and heck for covering ALL bases to rule out anything ask about seeing a neurologist.....that way it's better to be safe than sorry. IF it's a bigger problem than what some are just brushing off...it's better to get her an IEP for school and it will protect her in the school system IF it's an actual disability.

Good Luck
N.

Having children of my own and having been in childcare so many years i never have had any children with these symptoms. Sounds like shes a very bright little girl .Do you know there is a few forms of autism? Not sure if she falls into that kind of category or not. What does her doctor say? Have you had any kind of testing done on her? Does she learn easily? Can she read? There is so many obstacles i am not sure if its something she'll grow out of or will stick with her. Does she easily get frustrated when you try to teach her the right way? Have you had her eyes checked? These are areas you should cover but as a parent if you think there is a problem you need to act. Maybe its her way of learning and maybe this little girl is so intellegant that she is finding new ways to learn. you are blessed and stick by her side work with the teacher and i am sure things will come together. good luck

I agree with having your daughter tested through the school, but I would also recommend that you have her tested by an opthomologist. One that does extensive testing, not just a routine eye exam.
My son has a visual processing delay- which means he has a hard time associating things visually. He is 8 and still can not visually recognize all of his alphabet. The first year of kindergarten, the teacher and school passed it off as age. The middle of the second year of kindergarten he was tested by the school and I was told it was a mild case of ADD. (which I knew was not the problem- it was definately a visual issue.) We had him tested by an opthomologist, and they diagnosed him immediately, and gave us ways to help him. Finally at the end of last year we got his IEP, and he is finally able to move on to first grade work. (he did kindergarten work for 3 years)
I would not wait too long if you feel that there is a problem. And don't be afraid to push for what you need.

Hi T.,
I'm not an expert in this area at all by any means but I was diagnosed with a learning disability at an eary age (about third grade) some of the same things your daughter is exhibiting. They said my brain had a hard time moving from one side to the other in skills. Not sure exactly what they meant by that but it is how they described it. My parents were fortunate enough to send me to extra classes during the day where they worked with me on this and I did extra homework and excersises to get through it. Eventually I didn't need the classes anymore and I'm fine today. My brain apparently just needed a little extra training. I know there are after school programs for this sort of thing today as most public schools don't offer additional classes for children with learning dissabilities. Can the teacher help you identify any of these programs? Or her doctor? This is where I would start. Good luck!
D.

Hi T.,
I haven't experienced this but I would suggest that you have her checked for dyslexia because that's what it sounds like to me and there are many forms of it and it sounds like this is the mild form. Bless You,
S.

Hi T.,

I don't think that your daughter has a learning disablility but I would get her checked for dislexisa wich is what I think is going on here it sounds like she does everything backwards I would have her checked with that! Well I hope I gave some advice on this but that is what it sounds like to me.

A.

I have not neccessarily dealt with this kind of problem but has anyone suggested some kind of dyslexia trouble? To me it sounds like she is exhibiting some of those signs and with some help she would overcome. If that is the case. She may very well grow out of it but it is better to be safe than sorry. Ask your child's doctor what he or she may feel is going on and then go from there. I hope everything turns out well, best of luck and god bless!

T.,

I found some mothers with similiar issues and thought I would post their comments for you. I hope this helps. It seems popular with sons, not sure why though.

1) My son was having problems with this also when he was younger. He used to get his numbers backwards, too. This made it difficult when he was trying to tell time using the microwave. Does he have problems with numbers also, or with just writing? I am an elementary teacher and I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point. And if it does turn out to be dyslexia with some training he can become successful. Just look at Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell.. just to name a few very successful adults who have learned to overcome this. Good Luck to you.
Blessings,
Jodi"

2)"It's possible there's nothing at all wrong with him. Is he left-handed? I was, and I wrote in mirror writing in kindergarten too. It's really common for this age, especially if you're left-handed. The other way is just backward. ;)"

3)"I also had a "mirror writer." (He's left handed, as well.) I freaked out about it a bit, while everyone assured me it was normal. . . It did indeed correct itself."

Hope this helps
All My Best,
J.

this might sound funny. Did you get her eyes checked? My son was writing his words backwards and they found that out that was the way he was seeing them.

Nothing is a disablility. Everything is a new changle in growing in life.

Hi T.!

My son (also in Kindergarten)has problems associating his numbers and letters/sounds, as well. He is, like your daughter, a great communicator and sometimes writes his letters (especially M, W, N upside down and/or backwards). I've found the book, The Gift of Dyslexia, very helpful and although some of the symptoms do not apply to him it's given me some guidance on ways to make learning a bit easier for him. His grandmother and uncle both have language processing challenges, so it's not really a surprise that he may have some too. Thankfully, I'm blessed that I am able to homeschool him and also taught elementary school for 8 years before he was born. If I can be of any help just email! =)

Hi T.,
I don't have any experience in this area but if it were my child I'd at least have a specialist check her out now. The worse thing would be to chalk it up to age then if it doesn't go away correction in the future will be more difficult. Although the teather has been there a long time I would want to hear it's okay from a specialist in that field for peace of mind. JMO
Good luck,
J.

I doubt she has autism from what you descibed. It sounds like she is learning things backwards. Have you spoken to a neuroloogist about her. I have never ehard of this but she may just need constand direction to learn the correct way.

Joanna

hi T., I'm somewhat fimilar with what you are dealing with. Believe it or not, sometimes kids do write letters backwards and it is 'no big deal' but that is not always the case. With your teacher force the school district to test your child. Or talk to your doctor about testing. First make sure there is nothing wrong with her eyes, hearing, etc. Then start asking questions about dislexia. The school will not be able to formally "diagnose" your child as deslexic, but they will be able to put together and IEP (individual education program) for her and get it started right away. What ever you do, do not let it drag on past the first grade!! I fought with my school district for almost 4 years to get my youngest tested. And yes, she has mild dislexia...This doesn't mean that she is LD (learning disabled) It just means that she sees things differently and needs special attention to learn how to read, and may never be a "great" reader. My youngest is (after two years of IEP) finally reading at her grade level. She is "main streamed" for all her classes except for reading and spelling. She is in the Orchestra, gets great grades and loves school...so it can be great!! With hard work and lots of patience she will probably be out of the IEP by the end of this year.

So, my advice to you is to take a deep breath, use the teacher and her experience to get your daughter tested, don't look at it as a problem, but a challange that you can all overcome if you work together (Daddy too!). Good luck and best wishes!!

My daughter was 5 when she was doing that too. I kept asking her teacher to tell me if it got worse but she told me she will most likely grow out of it. And she was right. She is in 2nd grade and she still has problems sometimes with 'b's and 'd's and '3' and 'E' and every once in a random letter here and there but she gets better. I wanted to watch her because my dad has a mild form of Dyslexia and I do to (both of use see numbers mixed up). I just had to work with her to really think about what she was writing and it got better. If your daughter is always writing and drawing like that I would get it checked out soon. If she does it once and a while just watch and work with her and see if it gets worse. Good Luck!

Hi T., I am a reading specialist and have taught both kindergarten and first grade. I have not experienced such reversals and "flips" first hand. I can tell you that you don't have to wait for the school to respond or test your daughter. It is true that some reversals and flips are developmental and will occur even into second and sometimes into third grade. BUT, your daughter sounds like an extra ordinary case. Check with your medical insurance and see if they would cover a screening by your local hospital. You may be able to get a diagnosis from the hospital sooner. School do have a tendency of waiting for children to mature because MOST children do grow out of it. But their reversals are minor compared to your daughter's. It can't hurt to have a professional look at her.I wouldn't wait. I teach in the state of NJ and if you write a letter directly to the child study team, by law they must test you daughter within 90 days of your written request.

What you need to do is request in writing that you want her to be evaluated. They have 30 days to do it from the day your request it. She may have a form of dslexia (sorry spelling). Even thou she is only in kindergarden they can test her. If tou have some sort of Early Intervention Unit you can also contact them to see if they can help you.