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So you think your child might have dyslexia
By
Jessica Gould
Published Sep 25, 2023
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Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Jessica Gould
Published Sep 25, 2023
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The realization that your child may have a learning disability is daunting in itself. And for many New York City public school parents, navigating the system to get their child proper instruction is an overwhelming challenge – one that could involve specialists, school staff, finding a new school, lawyers and much more.
We will explain key steps and terminology in the process of getting your child evaluated for dyslexia, the players involved and the possible cost.
One word of caution: This article is not 100% comprehensive. Each student’s experience is different. Even the most seasoned operators within the system for New York City students with learning disabilities describe it as byzantine.
A new approach to dyslexia in NYC schools
- Listen to one family's experience navigating the system for public school students with dyslexia on WNYC's podcast NYC Now.
- Read about the student, Matthew Green, and the efforts of his grandmother, Trenace Green, to get him help.
- Gothamist plans to follow the rollout of Mayor Eric Adams' efforts to improve literacy instruction in public schools.
- Have experience in the public school's system for learning disabilities that you'd like to share? Contact education reporter Jessica Gould at [email protected].
Possible signs of dyslexia
We talked to multiple experts, who said these are common signs to be aware of:
- Difficulty learning the sequence of the alphabet or remembering sounds that go with each letter.
- Struggling to remember the names of colors or shapes, or how to recite the days of the week or months of the year.
- A teacher may say your child is behind “benchmarks” or grade-level expectations.
- Your child is reluctant to read in front of you. When reading aloud, they might skip over words, or struggle to sound out a new word using their developing phonics skills.
- Resistance going to school, or complaints of physical symptoms like tummy aches or headaches, which could be a sign of anxiety. They may frequently go to the bathroom or the school nurse, especially during reading instruction.
- Acting out in class.
- Some kids may comment that they’re not as smart as their friends.
- The nonprofit Advocates for Children offers this list of milestones to keep an eye on.
Starting the conversation
Talk to your teachers and see what options are available for extra help. The city’s public schools are required to offer support to students who are below grade-level standards in certain areas. This is called Academic Intervention Services.
If you're concerned your child might have a disability or need more help, you can contact their teachers, administrators, school counselor or the Committees on Special Education about an evaluation for an individualized education program, or IEP.
The nonprofit advocacy group INCLUDEnyc recommends using the language: “I would like to refer my child to be evaluated for special education services.” It’s helpful to be explicit about whether you are seeking speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy or behavioral intervention. Evaluations must be completed within 60 days of parents giving written consent, according to the Individuals With Disabilities Act.
Diagnosis
While the public school system can review a student's needs, a psychological evaluation by an outside psychologist is necessary to diagnose dyslexia.
- Some psychologists and neuropsychologists offer free evaluations, although waitlists can be lengthy.
Mayor Eric Adams has made improving instruction for kids with dyslexia a key education initiative.
Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Interventions
Dyslexia is on a continuum that ranges in severity. A neuropsychological evaluation may suggest a range of interventions, from extra help in school (like what the education department refers to as Special Education Teacher Support Services, or SETSS, for reading) to more specialized tutoring, or instruction in a private school.
Schools are not obligated to follow the recommendations of an outside evaluation. But parents also have the right to reject an IEP if they do not feel it meets their child’s needs.
Seeking legal help
A parent can turn to a lawyer if he or she is not satisfied with their child’s IEP. Under federal law, all students with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Education, or FAPE. If you feel you are not able to obtain that through the city’s public school system, you can file what’s called a “due process complaint.” There are nonprofit organizations like Advocates for Children and Mobilization for Justice that represent low-income families at no cost. There are also private attorneys who specialize in special education cases. Retainers range from $5,000 to $7,000.
Families often file due process complaints against the city seeking payment for private tutoring services or private school tuition. There are multiple independent schools that offer intensive literacy support, many with tuition ranging around $70,000 to 80,000. Some schools also offer financial aid. Parents who file due process complaints seek what's called an Impartial Hearing, which is overseen by New York state licensed attorneys. The process is commonly referred to as “suing” the education department, though the proceeding takes place out of court.
A hearing officer will consider both sides and issue a decision on whether the education department is required to pay reimbursement. The education department has a backlog of hearing orders, and some parents have said they have had to pay two years of tuition before receiving any reimbursement.
New support for students
One of Mayor Eric Adams’ signature education initiatives is improved instruction for students with dyslexia. A number of efforts are underway.
Curriculum
The city is rolling out new reading curricula over the next two years that are aligned with research on how all students – especially students with dyslexia – learn to read. It is meant to replace “balanced literacy” curricula that critics say did not offer enough explicit instruction in phonics, and often taught bad strategies. Officials say better instruction in letter sounds and combinations, vocabulary and comprehension will allow more students with mild or moderate dyslexia to be served in public schools.
Students at P.S. 125 The Ralph Bunche School in Harlem, where teachers are using new literacy techniques.
Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Screeners
The Adams administration plans to expand dyslexia “screeners” to all elementary schools and some middle and high schools. Students who score low on the assessments and are deemed “at risk” for dyslexia are supposed to get extra help in small groups several days a week.
Programs
There are a handful of programs underway at individual schools to improve instruction of kids with reading challenges, including dyslexia.
- South Bronx Literacy Academy: This is the first traditional public school for students with documented reading challenges. Teachers are trained in the Orton-Gillingham curriculum, which is considered the gold standard for dyslexia. The school currently serves the second and third grades, and has plans to grow.
- P.S. 125 in Harlem: At this neighborhood school, all the teachers in kindergarten through second grade and some upper elementary teachers have been trained in Orton-Gillingham. The school has received extra money for intervention and coaching.
- P.S. 107 and P.S. 295 in Brooklyn have received grants to train teachers to improve literacy instruction.
- Bridge Preparatory Charter School on Staten Island serves students with dyslexia or other language-based learning challenges.
Tagged
new york city
education
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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