Test Kids for learning disability - who?

[IB2013]

Hello I have a daughter aged 6. I want to get her testet for learning disability on private basis and not wait for the school to act. Any suggestion who does such testing? Thanks a lot

[Charlie2750 Community friend]

Parents don't normally get their children tested for a learning disability why are you wanting this?What reason do you want to put a child through testing unless you have a good reason?Most parents know that something is wrong either at birth or later but I don't think there is a "test" and without good reason you should see how they go at school. Have you discussed this with the school and is this your reason?

[IB2013 in reply to Charlie2750]

I see your point. The facts regarding my daughter though makes me feel I have to do something so she can get the help that is needed. My daughter has a speech delay. She was 4 before she could say 3 words clearly otherwise it was just sounds. Her vocabulary was of 10 words that we her family could understand. I couldn't sit and read or sing with her. She had tantrums and specific routines for almost everything. So we went to a psychologist. He said traits of autism. We went to a speech therapist. They said... It is the way her brain process information. At that time we lived abroad. After returning to England we were told no autism but just the way her brains process information by her nursery. Whatever that means. The school system says until grade 3 there is no testing for learning disabilities but my daughter understands that she is different in talking and reading. Her classmates can count to 100 now. She almost 20. They read or at least blend phonic sounds. She can hardly remember the sounds. So she avoids it all. I would wait for the system but my daughter's self confidence and her interaction with classmates is all strongly affected by this. She says nothing in school. She is in year 1. Two years more to get her the help is not okay for me. And all those sayings about what her challenge is, autism, just speech delay, or another disability.... I just want to get it cleared so she can get help...I have a relative who has being working with younger children as teacher for almost 20 years. She has also worked and still works still children with special needs. She keeps saying. Don't wait for the system because your daughter is aware and that makes her suffer. But it is a jungle to find out who can help me clear what my daughter's challenges really are. What is wrong actually : (

[Charlie2750 Community friend in reply to IB2013]

I am sorry to hear all that.Child development is is all about averages and your daughter may catch up.I can only go by my experience.My son had a traumatic entry to the world which could have caused his global developmental delay.I thought delay meant he would catch up in time thinking that when he was a few years older he would be doing the same as children were doing then.He was slow to walk and sit and speech was delayed.His speech came on later but my memory is not good on how many words.He went to a special nursery and a school for learning disabilities but this was because he had special needs assessment. Actually what you can do now is apply for PIP which will/may show how disabled your daughter is although this is a self assessment by you.Does she smile and play normally. Sorry this post may be disjointed because I will skip back to my son.He progressed through a school until he was about 7or 8 and they dropped a bombshell by saying he needed more help and we moved him to another special school. He stayed there until he was 19 and all the while his speech progressed but he does not read or write.He can write his name with a hand on his and helping him to push the pencil.He can read signs on vans that say Asda and Sainsbury and he can record all his sky programes without mistake!!!He cant fasten shoe laces,do zips,buttons. or wash himself.He is 32 now and can talk the hind leg off a donkey!!His coordination is not good but he is our son and we love him.You did not say whether your daughter is at a special needs school or a "normal" primary school.Ask Social worker for a special needs assessment and some support via a special needs support classroom worker.Good luck with that but please don't over worry.

[IB2013 in reply to Charlie2750]

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I also wish you and your family all the best. Thank youfor your advice too. Best wishes