These things do not point to an Learning Disability (LD). Fluent reading may not occur until age 8 and it would still fall within "normal" standards. It seems no matter the progress J makes, it is never enough, that there must be some malfunction responsible for what would be looked at in education and special education circles as typical development. I realize this board is for parental support, but there is something to be said for speaking for the child.
I understand how it could seem like this, but I think a couple of things complicate this...... first, this is her only child and child development is not in her past, so she feels the need to make sure things are ok. Second, he does have issues and knowing that early intervention helps there is always a question as to whether you could help him avoid other issues--(and there is information she doesn't know from his bio history)-- And, finally the biggest in my mind is that this school system pushes kids so much earlier than here in the USA and it seems to be quite different from what malika's background is too.... and if I got a report saying that my child was not up to snuff compared to the other kids I'd be pretty confused as to whether this is a function of the culture or a reflection on my child, etc..... I mean, they are the teachers, the professionals, and they are saying he is behind his peers.
To me his progress has never been presented as not good enough....just a bit of a rollercoaster, and lots of concern. There has been a lot of pride shown in how he has progressed. And it seems that Malika is of a nature that she wants to be sure she is doing right by him and (time to hit me on the head Malika) questions her own ability to work on things even more than his. I think whatamess said something similar....I totally agree with love, smile.
(This is just my processing of things, I'm not trying to defend or speak for you Malika....so if I'm wrong tell me to shut up-- I get what whatamess is saying because as I've said in prior posts this particular thing would not be viewed as much of an issue here...YET) Im just sharing how I respond to you and what goes through my head as I read your posts. Indeed I think if you were here in the usa you maybe wouldn't be triggered to worry as much because I suspect no one would be saying anything less than whatamess is saying.....that he is for that skill...falling within a normal range. That can work for us and against us because it does mean that kids with true disabilities in their future would miss out on possible early intervention--I've worked with several parents who have kids who have red flags in other areas and in first/second grades when they struggle (but are still "within normal limits" ) are dismissed by some teachers and especially admin who dont want to add interventions, then by third and fourth grade it becomes clear a small % of them do have a specific Learning Disability (LD) on top of whatever else is going on, I get how that can feel frustrating to them)....
Bottom line, Malika, your gut is saying to be on top of it, (we do say to trust your gut and I stand by that) and he has other areas of concern that can be manifesting similar to an Learning Disability (LD) at this age. As long as you can put it onto perspective in real life and enjoy activities and family time....(assuming that it seems bigger here because this is what one talks about here, the concerns)...well, then I think it is smart to ask and to provide activities that are fun and helpful as they would be for any child. As Susie said, find natural fun things to work on his reading and go with it.
For Q, he has never gotten into books. That is how most reading is taught. He couldn't even write his name in first grade, absolutely could not read those stupid guided reading books (not a stupid program, was stupid for him). He really learned his letters from store and road signs. He then learned to read. His fluency increased tremendously when I allowed him to search and read sports sites and he read articles on NASCAR drivers etc. So, recently the school reading system showed him at a fluency of a sixth grader and comprehension much lower. But if you give him a non fiction sports article, he will stop and ask all by himself what words he does not understand mean and can tell you all about the articles afterwards. news articles are not usually written at a super high level but his comprehension is better than what is tested.
Using standardized articles about sports teachers have found him to read at an eighth grade level and comprehend at a fifth grade level.
Just shows how a high interest can make a difference, their brains have something to connect old and new information to. He will never be a great reader but he can read more than many non disabled Americans.