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Dyslexia and Special Education Needs in Luxembourg

Parents First Steps

What to do?

When you see your child has a problem at school:

Have you spoken to your child’s teacher and inspector?
Have you spoken to your family doctor ? – medical referrals can sometimes be reimbursed by the Caisse de maladie.
Has your child been assessed or tested?
A professional assessment or test is essential

If the teacher or inspector thinks your child should be tested the usual way is for him/her to be sent to SREA - Service Rééducatif Ambulatoire. This organisation is now beginning to recognise and diagnose dyslexia and will give some help if they consider the child needs it.

There is also an equivalent Service Pedagogique Rééducativ for children at schools in Luxembourg Ville at 110, avenue Gaston Diderich.

If your child is very young (under 6 years old) you should approach the Centre Logopédie.

Orthophonists often understand dyslexia best. There is an association of independent orthophonists (ALO) but assessment by them has to be paid for.

Have your child’s sight and hearing tested.

If your child has attention problems or is hyperactive contact EHK and SCAP.

4. Finding Help

If your child already has been diagnosed, then go to SREA. They usually accept the diagnosis and do provide help, either seeing the child after school or by sending an Educateur to help at school. The results vary depending on how trained and experienced the educateur is and the dynamics with the class teacher.

The Ministry of Education is currently setting up regional centres to help more children with problems, ask your inspector or SERA about these.

Orthophonists can help the dyslexic child with reading and spelling but this isn’t always reimbursed.

If writing is a problem, they may go to a psychomotricien who will help the child improve his motor skills and practise his writing skills.

LOS ( Lehrinstitut füf Orthographie und Schreibtechnik)

c/o Marlene Lichtmess, Brotstrasse 33, D-54290 Trier.

Tel: +49 651 75975 fax: +49 651 75904 email:

This is a commercial organisation with has centres at Dudelange, Esch and Trier, which runs after school classes in German. Part of the time is spent on a structured computer spelling programme and part in groups with a teacher. This programme is has to be paid for.

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There is no magic solution. Dyslexia is not curable but neither does it mean that the child is stupid. With the right help a dyslexic person can accomplish anything. Unfortunately professional help is very limited in Luxembourg. Therefore it is up to all parents to demand that it becomes available. Join Dyspel and support this work.

DYSPEL Library. Books, videos and articles.

There are a few English speaking, specially trained teachers in Luxembourg. Dyspel is running a multilingual Postgraduate Teacher Training Course to provide more specialist teachers, starting 3 October 2002.