<p>Parent of two dyslexics. One is a college jr. He did not learn to read till the middle of 4th grade even though he had been in “resource” since the beginning of 2nd grade. The problem was they kept using the same method that obviously was not working for him. He finally learned to read by using the Lindamood Bell method. We did not have a center near us at the time. We did have a tutor who specialized in the method. She was a former speech therapist who also had a teaching credential. She was a SAHM with a severe dyslexic son. She found the Lindamood Bell program and spent a summer out of town with her son. She was so impressed that she took the training program. For my son school was always a challenge. Reading becomes more difficult as the material gets longer as you go forward in school. We were able to get books on tape from Recording for the Blind. There is a form you fill out and have signed by someone at the school to qualify. The books are free but you buy the player. (at least you did at the time) not sure what the policy is now.
A good psychologist will also help you write up an appropriate IEP or 504. One thing that helped my son was that they allowed him to have copies of the teachers notes. They also shortened writing assignments, did not count spelling on in class assignments or exams. He also was exempt from spelling tests. All this documentation will also help when it comes time for you to get extra time on the SAT.
My son like your D did great in Math. This is what helped him get into college. He did end up in a major that requires little writing or memorization. He still struggles in college with GE courses that require a lot of reading and writing.
With my youngest we saw the signs much earlier. We started her with the Lindamood Bell reading program through the same private tutor. She went from not seeing any relationship between cat and hat to reading 200 page novels in two years. She developed a love of reading and it is her most favorite thing to do. She is now in high school and she has to work harder for her grades but she has good tools that she developed early on.
My SIL is also dyslexic. She struggled with school but was very bright. She is now a physical therapist. She had to work hard and use every available resource available to her. Her college years were spent in the tutoring center.
Also what helped both of my kids was finding the right schools for them. Both attended a private middle school that believed that all kids have gifts. They may not all be academic.
I would also concentrate on finding things she can have success with. For both my dyslexic kids it was around 5th grade that they went through a phase where they felt they were “dumb”. I remember the day my son came home from the first day of AP Calc and said that several kids he had known from elementary school were in the class. The response they gave him when he walked in was “how are you in this class?”
Good luck to your D.
Also look into the books by Mel Levine.</p>