| It is a Difficult Choice | | | | and if so, for how long? How large are the class |
| If you are the parent of a child that has dyslexia, then | | | | ratios? Will your child have access to one on one |
| you know how hard it is to find those dyslexia schools | | | | learning time? Will they have to miss extra curricular |
| that will best compliment the learning style of your child | | | | classes to get one on one help? Pay close attention to |
| and meet their needs at the same time. As parents, | | | | teaching methods and see if they are varied at all. Do |
| we want to put our children in the best school possible | | | | the teachers seem sympathetic to children with |
| and give them a running start at life. When we find out | | | | dyslexia or other special needs? |
| that our child has special needs or learning disabilities it | | | | 4. Find out what type of curriculum they use. Do they |
| can be heart crushing, but it does not have to be that | | | | use a National Curriculum or a State- Wide Curriculum? |
| way. We can remind ourselves that we all have things | | | | Find out if dyslexic students will have access to |
| that challenge us and with hard work most of them | | | | computers, word processors or tape recorders. Are |
| can be overcome. | | | | there any other resources or equipment available to |
| For example, dyslexia was once harder to diagnose | | | | your child? |
| and thought to be a real problem in the educational | | | | 5. Ask to speak to the schools Special Education |
| system. Luckily, school systems have advanced and | | | | Needs Coordinator. They will be able to show you an |
| have come a long way in educating children with | | | | example of an Individual Education Plan and how often |
| dyslexia. When looking for schools, there are a few | | | | the plan for your child is reviewed. The Special |
| things to keep in mind that will help you narrow down | | | | Education Needs Coordinator will be your link between |
| your search. | | | | what is expected in the classroom and what your child |
| 5 Fantastic Tips | | | | is capable of doing. |
| 1. Make sure you clearly explain the needs of your | | | | Questions Answered |
| child. Be sure to sure include everything from memory, | | | | After doing all of the above, you should be able to |
| speech, large and fine motor skills, social skills, | | | | answer the following questions; how appropriate is the |
| organization, written and mental abilities. | | | | schools policy and structure? Will the school building |
| 2. Research about the schools on your shortlist and | | | | and its resources suit your child? How sympathetic are |
| ask the school for a written prospectus. This is a plan | | | | the staff? Are the staff knowledgeable and well |
| for their academic practice. You may also want to talk | | | | trained in dyslexia? Above all realise, that when looking |
| with other parents that have special needs children in | | | | for those perfect dyslexia schools, that no one school |
| that particular school. | | | | will ever fully meet the needs of your child. But, with |
| 3. Make an appointment and visit the school. Find out | | | | proper research you can find a school that will meet |
| how children with dyslexia are integrated in a | | | | the very special needs of your child- providing them |
| mainstream classroom. Do they go to the extra | | | | with a positive learning environment. |
| curriculum class for a certain amount of time each day | | | | |