Finding out your child has any kind of disability is difficult. Something like a reading disability seems minor. Until it’s your child…
I was a great elementary school student. In second grade, I was reading at an 8th grade level. Plus, I was a year ahead in school. I was sure that my own children would have the same love of reading. Um…no.
The Signs
The signs began in kindergarten. My oldest son, David, was having an extremely difficult time connecting sounds to letters. Once in first grade, he was still unable to read basic high frequency words. Spelling tests were particularly difficult. David would know the words in the evening, but in the morning could no longer remember them. He couldn’t remember to how tie his shoe until third grade. He couldn’t remember his birth date, address, or the color orange going into second grade. It was frustrating for him, and heartbreaking to watch. His father was convinced – and quite vocal about it – that if David would only work harder he would be fine. However, he had quite a bit of difficulty reading as well. Therefore, I knew there was more going on than a lack of effort on David’s part.
The First IEP Meeting
David was referred for testing at the end of kindergarten and placed on an IEP in first grade. I remember sitting in the IEP meeting with tears determined to leak from my eyes despite my wishes. The counselor, Mrs. Thorpe, handed me a tissue to dab the mascara making designs down my face. I kept apologizing for the tears. I remember thinking David’s future was being rewritten. My dreams for him were being crushed and stomped upon. I couldn’t see beyond the ‘learning disability’ label. It was a difficult thing to come to terms with.
Life went on and since David was a compliant child he would ‘read’ or be read to when asked and practice spelling when prompted. Then two years later my younger son Jared entered school. Jared could not be described as compliant…
The Younger Brother
One day after school I cheerfully strolled up to Jared’s kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Surritte, and casually asked if Jared was having the same difficulties David had displayed. My heart sank when she nodded. I physically felt it. My mouth refused to form words. Those traitorous tears sprang to my eyes and I had to walk briskly away. Both of them. Both boys had inherited it!
By this time, district policy had changed so Jared had to wait to get tested until second grade. Enter the waiting period. Practicing reading or spelling with Jared was usually a knock-down-drag-out event. Okay, ALWAYS a knock-down-drag-out-tantrum-event. I was trying to do everything his teacher, Mrs. Moody recommended, but tears and tantrums were always involved. By the end of first grade I have to admit to blatant dishonesty on many of Jared’s reading logs. There went the ‘mom of the year’ award… right out the window. It was just too painful! Jared was placed on his IEP in second grade.
The Second IEP
Jared’s IEP meeting was much easier because by then I was able to understand and embrace that ‘reading disability’ didn’t mean the world was going to end. The moon wasn’t going to go out of its orbit. His future was secure. In fact, research proves that most of these children have an above average IQ and thus a bright future! Hallelujah! Therein lies the important point… there is a big discrepancy between what they are capable of and their actual performance. With interventions, their performance can catch up. Some even call dyslexia a gift. I tend to agree.
Finally
Their teachers were all amazing. I am forever grateful for the love and dedication of these wonderful individuals. In fact, they inspired me to become a teacher. I went back to school at age 38 for that reason. At the time though, I wasn’t always able to see things clearly… and for that I apologize to any teachers who had my boys. That will be the subject of my next post. If I had only listened…
The article is taken from http://www.fortheloveofteaching.net/2010/11/when-your-child-has-reading-disability.html
Recent Comments