Dyslexia? Any suggestions would be great!

My husband and I are concerned that my 6 year old stepdaughter might be dyslexic.
Since she started school (at age3) she has had trouble with speech and been in speech thearpy. She has also been in Special Ed because of her speech and her attentions problem. But, her special ed classes are only a few hours a day. She is in regular classes the rest of the days.
Well, she started 1st grade two weeks ago. She is having SO much trouble with her spelling words. One reason I think is because her SE teacher gives her 10, as well as her regular class.
Another reason, is we think she might be dyslexic. Dyslexia could be a factor for her speech and attention problems. And it is showing a huge sign with her words and alphabet/spelling.
I sat down with her last night to do flash cards for her words. She would look at the words, sound them out (correctly) and then say a completely different word.
EX: Mad- "mmm aaa ddd" "Sit!"
However, when I told her to write the word "mad". She sounded it out and wrote it correctly.   But, when I told her to read the word...she had no clue   .

Does anyone have experience with someone who was dyslexic? I am trying to figure out new ways/ different ways to teach her so that she can understand. It's just so hard.
We have noticed her "learning slower..." for a while, but we (and family members, including her pedi's nurse) thought we should wait because it could just be her age. Now it is proving that...it isn't just her age anymore.

We are discussing taking her to the doctor to get it actually dignosed, but that takes a little time, because we have to get her biomother's permission because the custody orders say that both parties have to agree when it comes to anything with the girls. Which we don't think will be a huge deal, but we still have to go according to the orders.

I would go to the speech therapist and sped teacher about this one. If they think it might be a possibility, then they can try out some of the methods they would use to help teach a child with dyslexia to read. Who knows, even if she doesn't have it, it might help with the problem anyway.

My sister is horribly dyslexic. I would definitely have it diagnosed as soon as possible and if need be, get her in Special Ed full time. The frustration of flipping lettersor knowing something isn't right but not being able to come up with the answer can be so damaging to a child's confidence and self esteem. I'd set up a meeting with her current Special Ed teacher and ask for their curriculum and techniques and follow those so she's getting consisent help. My mom taught Special Ed for years after my sister's diagnosis fueled her career change at the age of 40. One of the best things parents can do is follow the teachings of the education specialists. Good luck!

I am Dyslexic. It is horrible but can also be over come. They wanted to do for me what they are doing for your stepdaughter. I think that you working with her right now will help boost her confidence. Try the flash cards with the word and picture. Suprisingly it helps a lot for memory. She wil know the picture and be able to associate the picture with the right way the word is suppose to go. Getting it dignosed is the biggest thing though. Once you know that she is for sure Dyslexic and it's not something else you will be able to find plenty of information to help you out. Even support groups that may help her.   Good luck!

Thanks for the advice.

PreggerJaz- I read somewhere that pictures help a lot. Thanks!

Quoting amethyst rain:“ Thanks for the advice. PreggerJaz- I read somewhere that pictures help a lot. Thanks!”

Anything to help a kid! They are the future and we all want the best for those we know and love.  

My oldest sister was diagnosed at a ;young age but that was because she was spelling her name as May and not Amy!! it was like that with lots of words though. to this day if she isnt reading regularly she forgets and starts writting her letters backwards. Hope everything works out for your daughter!!

my daughter got tested for dyslexia last year becasue she was having problems with writing her letters backwards, and reading the wrong words. She ended up not having it, but one of her teachers showed me different ways to help her. She just learns different so she had to be taught different. We started letting her write her letters with her finger in cornmeal on a plate, and for some reason she got it. Her teacher said having her feel it helped her remember. Even if it doesn't work for you she will have fun doing it lol.

I have been wondering this about my 7 year old for a while now. She did great in preschool, she could write every letter and number correctly. She went to kindergarten and all hell broke loose. She started writing numbers and letters backward. I'd ask her what number 18 was when I pointed and she'd argue with me that it was 81. I've asked teachers and they say it's fine and all kids learn differently. Well, I just got her to sign some paperwork for school and she couldn't spell her last name!!! She got the first and last letter but mixed up the ones in between completely. I mean I know kids lose stuff over the summer, but your last name?!?! At 7?!?! I'm so confused too. I'm going to talk with her teacher on Tuesday for her beginning-year conference, hopefully she can shed some light.  Good luck to you too hun, if she gives me any pointers I'll shoot 'em your way. 

Quoting Chubkinz!:“ I have been wondering this about my 7 year old for a while now. She did great in preschool, she could ... [snip!] ... hopefully she can shed some light.  Good luck to you too hun, if she gives me any pointers I'll shoot 'em your way. ”

She writes her name completely backwards. You could read it if you put a mirror up to it.  
I am hoping if she has anything, it is only dyslexia, because her biological mother did a lot of drugs when she was pregnant with her  

double post

Quoting amethyst rain:“ She writes her name completely backwards. You could read it if you put a mirror up to it.   I am ... [snip!] ... if she has anything, it is only dyslexia, because her biological mother did a lot of drugs when she was pregnant with her  ”

That's so sad. We've had some 4 year olds at work that do that, if you put their paper up to a mirror, you'd be able to read it.

Quoting Chubkinz!:“ That's so sad. We've had some 4 year olds at work that do that, if you put their paper up to a mirror, you'd be able to read it.”

A little off from that but because I am Dyslexic I have no problem reading things backwords or mixed up. I tend to be really good at those scramble word puzzles because of it, so something good can come from being Dyslexic. It's just harder to deal with in the begining.

Quoting *~PreggerJaz~*:“ A little off from that but because I am Dyslexic I have no problem reading things backwords or mixed ... [snip!] ... word puzzles because of it, so something good can come from being Dyslexic. It's just harder to deal with in the begining.”

That's cool b/c I suck at those things. I can't do word puzzles at all, they get me so frazzled.