General Chat

Little lad 7 severely dislexic, having to pay for special eye test for coloured glasses and for overlays and anything else needed at school, This doesnt seem right as its a special need, Caz xxx

no most definately not right but then opps zipped up mouth just in time there there must be something somewhere that gets the financial side sorted

Has anyone looked into it Caz? it sounds a bit strange to me. Have the family chosen to go private? maybe it is a test not done on the NHS. But as you say, no it doesn't seem fair. Ann Glo

Julie anne you were prob thinking like me but darent say it! Ann, he gets basic eye test free but I have to pay for special dyslexia test and school said overlays etc are not provided, I'm in dyslexia society so will pursue it, Caz xxxxxxxxx

No it's not fair caz, you should look into it further. Is there some kind of assocaition that deals with dyslexia, maybe someone on here might know? If there is might be worth contacting them and telling them of your situation. catherine xx

that's teribble caz. tell whoever it is, to go to the papers. what's wrong with this world. tc gwyn.

thats awfull caz,it wants showing up.xxxxxx

Write to your MP - I found this on the internet a bit old now but probably still relevant 13 January 2004 MP Takes Up Concerns Over Cost of Eye Tests and Glasses For Children with Dyslexia North East Herts MP Oliver Heald has been approached by constituents with children suffering from dyslexia, about the cost of regular eye tests and tinted glasses to improve their reading. Oliver has immediately written to the Royston, Buntingford & Bishop’s Stortford, and the North Herts & Stevenage Primary Care Trusts, as well as the County Council, asking for a full briefing. Commenting, Oliver Heald said, “If this is an area where Government action is needed, I will press Ministers to do so. It does not seem right that people without much money should have to pay £ 250 or more for these tests and glasses. “I would be interested if any other constituents with concerns over this issue could write to me at “The House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.”

My daughter took her son for the special test. There are very few opticians who will do it. We were given the name of one in Canterbury and I went along but he was really unhelpful and dismissed the idea of coloured lens as 'An American fad' I was appalled at his attitude. We later found a helpful man in Tunbridge Wells and I was there at the test..... amazing. My grandson says that with the coloured sheet ' the words stay on the same line now'. They test different colours to see what is right for the individual child, then glasses are made. Grandson has a trendy purple... but my daughter had to pay every penny, - for test and glasses because there is nothing wrong with his actual vision. They have made a world of difference to his work and teachers have commented on him being able to complete tasks on time now. Gwyn

I would persue it through the society Caz (sorry didn't realise you were talking about your own child). And I would also right to the local papers, maybe also a National daily and your MP. Lots of good advice for you on this thread. Good luck. Actually I wonder if you could get help from SAAFA. Ann Glos

Thankyou all off to bed now so will look more tommorow, The optician in my town has two dyslexic kids so has a special interest and she disagrees with paying cos as you've all said it IS a disability, See you tommorow, Caz xxxxxxxxxx