Kids with Learning Problems

In addition to working in special ed before staying at home, I have three special needs children of my own. I would suggest strongly that she take her child to one of the many child study centers, a neurologist, and occupational therapist who specilizes in sensory integration. Taking this child to three different places will give three opinions on the best course of action and give the parents some control in what they wish to try first. It is important to know what is causing the problem before trying to educate to the problem. If he is having small mini seizure (which most of us would never see or catch) the treatment would be different from visual processing disorder where you would use different films and colred papers, or an attention issue which would be treated with tactile stimulation, diet, or meds depending on parent and child needs. Once the problem is identified the symptom can be treated and the best study program for the child and educator can be picked.

Oh M. have I been there. My daughter, now 13, exhibited the EXACT same "symptoms". We also homeschool. I thought I as going CRAZY. I knew she was intelligent so why couldn't she do something as straight forward as remembering her numbers or ABC. I knew after awhile there was definitely something WRONG I just did not know what! In the end it turned out to be SEVERE dyslexia. So what do I reccommend... well several things... 1) DO NOT STOP HOMESCHOOLING. Be prepared to read and write EVERYTHING to the child that way they can still learn but not rely on their own abitlity to read/write. 2)get a referral to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for testing.... they set the standard... beware it takes about a year after submitting the referall (which must be from your pediatrician) to get in for testing. 3) know that every child CAN learn to read, it may take years of working with a professional but every child can learn to read. and don't let anyone tell your friend different. 4) do research to understand about dyslexia and all it's different forms. I was totally clueless. My understanding of dyslexia was very simplistic when in truth it can be a very complex problem.

One note about Scottish Rite... they are THE place to take a child for testing and diagnosis BUT that doesn't mean they always give correct PROGNOSIS. Diagnosis yes, but not necessairly prognosis. In my oldest daughter's case when they tested her they determined a)she was very intelligent, b)she was severely dyslexic c)she was so dyslexic she would "probably never learn to read". OMG.. I set there devistated. BUT I refused to accept their end result for MY beautiful daughter! I worked with her myself for about a year using all kind of sensory techniques while I looked for a "reading/dyslexia" specialist. God dropped a couple in Irving into my lap (another story) that were ABSOLUTELY GREAT. Tom and Peggy ____@____.com free to contact them with ANY questions. They are fabulous. They were the ones that set me straght .... ALL KIDS CAN LEARN TO READ!

Tell your friend to feel free to contact me. I am homeschooling one autistic spectrum son and two dyslexic girls, so I understand the ups and downs of teaching LD kids. :-)

God Bless,
B.

I have a child with dyscalculia....look it up and see....she is a teen now and was first diagnosed with a delay in active working memory by Texas Scottish Rite - I would recommend an appt there as they can give suggestions on teaching......dyscalculia is very difficult...she has been homeschooled since first dx with the delay (6+ years) but now wants some high school experience so, we are working toward that....math LDs are complex........hth

Not having worked with the child, some of what your describing could be explained by scotopic sensitivity syndrome.

try www.irlen.com for more info.

S.

I agree with the other poster, have her get him tested for dyslexia.

M. having your friends son tested is a good idea to rule out anything medically going on. Now if everything comes out negative after testing then I would just have to say that it is taking this little boy alittle longer to grasp. Yes!! Every child is different and they all learn different ways in their own time. It is normal for boys to get their numbers mixed up and letters as well. I know ladies who homeschool whos sons have not begun to read until about 7 or even 8 just because the child wasn't ready. "The way they learn" by Cynthia Tobias is really good. It helps in understanding learning styles and will help identify which learning style he is. I am a homeschool mom as well and I use "Hooked on Phonics" Kindergarten through 2nd grade. I really like how its layed out. I don't really use the CD's. I sit with my son and teach him myself rather than using the CD. Another book is Phonic Pathways by Dolores Hiskes. My son did not like her style so I chose to go with HOP, However Phonic Pathways is a good book as well, more simplied by starting with one letter at a time. With his numbers there are different ways she can approach it. She can make up a song with the numbers, get a number/letter tracing board(walmart carrys them), etc.. Also, keep in mind that in school teachers have a certain style of teaching all the kids. It could be that he is just not connected with the teachers style of teaching or could be bored. When my husband was young he did not do well in school until 2nd or 3rd grade, there was a teacher who just caught his attention and he began to do better. Anyhow, I hope all works out and your friend finds answers. God bless.