My daughter is 9 years old and in the third grade. She is reading so slowly; it is frustrating for me to sit with her and listen to her read. She can’t possibly understand what she is reading because she is so slow, but when she reads to herself, she seems to understand more. She still gets her b’s and d’s mixed up along with her p’s and q’s etc. etc. etc. What can I do?

Thank you so much for being patient with me while I did a little research. I was hoping that I could come back and give you some definitive help with your search for tests and evaluations that might be able to help. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to come up with a specific name for a battery of tests that would give you some answers, but let me tell you what I did find.

I spoke with several people at my local university plus a pediatrician, and a child psychologist. In all cases, the recommendation was very similar. First, have your child checked out physically/chemically by a pediatrician to make sure that everything is working, eyes, ears etc. to enable your child to learn. Then you need to talk to people who do testing in your school district or area. If you go to a private school, this may not be required, but at local schools, it is federally mandated. The school board must provide people who are qualified to test your child for a multiple of learning disabilities and come up with what is called an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). If your child tests positive for any of the standard learning disabilities, the school is required (federally mandated) to give you some help. Now I know each school board and district have limited resources and vary, but because it is Federally mandated, they must give you some help. Start by talking to your local school principal or school counselor.

Another option is to start checking out local universities. Many across the country have wonderful child development and child psychology departments that are not only a good resource, but many also have full clinics and testing facilities, and many charge nominal fees for their services. You might be able to get some help and answers from that source. I hope some of this information is helpful to you and good luck working with your child.