I had Robin's COVA SPED teacher do an informal assessment today for reading problems. I've been wanting this done for years (and asked the local public school but was always told "There's not a problem!"). He can read anything--and I know that, BUT he doesn't understand what he's read. I've told prior teachers that there was either a problem or he was just reading too fast and not paying attention. They all assumed it was the latter. Anyway, his SPED teacher confirmed that yes, he can decode at a 12th grade level with correct pronunciations and everything. She then started with a 6th grade reading comprehension skills sheet. She said he was borderline average/frustration level. Then she did 7th grade and he did better, but she thought that was because the subject interested him more. Then she did 8th grade and it was all frustration level. She does think this is significant enough to add it to his IEP, but doesn't think there's a true LD. She gave me some strategies to use to help him. So I have to wonder what's truly up??? This is new ground for me. Any experience or suggestions???

By Kaye on Saturday, March 1, 2008 - 09:00 am:

LD is one of those funny phrases. It just basically means what they should be able to do, they can't. Sometimes LD is caused by other fixable things (kids with vision issues have been known to get labeled prior to glasses). Anyway, what it does mean is that you now have a specific issue to work and you do just that. He just may need more help in this area before he gets it. There are strategies that historically have helped children who are struggling and that is where you start. Sometimes we learn differently, but public school often just teaches one way.