Jun. 9, 2008 - A Twist To Our Summer
Has it really been only four days since I last posted? It seems like a couple of weeks! I've had a lot on my mind over the last few days, and I'll admit it's making me stressed!
You see, a few weeks ago we had an assessment done on Big Man (8). We've had some concerns about his reading/writing over the last few years, but were always told "it's just developmental" and he'd grow out of it. I was never at peace with that, it has been a struggle to not be overcome with worry at times. He is also a stutterer. His stuttering is heavier sometimes and lighter at other times. With much speech therapy, we've made his light stuttering times longer. However, as his stuttering gets heavier, we also would notice more dyslexic red flags getting worse. I began to pray that somehow I would be able to find someone who would give us an affordable, yet comprehensive, dyslexia evaluation. Someone who is homeschool friendly would be a bonus! I didn't have the slightest idea where to go for this. Most places that give dyslexia assessments only give partial assessments, looking at a couple of areas. Well, God is good, merciful, and always ready for us to ask Him for help. A woman on our homeschool loop put out a reminder about the testing she does. BINGO! Affordable? Oh yes. Comprehensive? Yes again. Homeschool friendly? Obviously, since she's a homeschool mom herself. Off we went for a four hour (!) evaluation. Poor Big Man was exhausted beyond measure by the end of it. I eagerly awaited the parental appointment for the results.
THAT was last Friday morning.
By now you can probably put two and two together. Now, she isn't a licensed educational psychologist . . . or whoever is allowed to give the "official" word. However, as she said, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, etc. you've got yourself a duck. Now we're looking at dyslexia and an auditory processing disorder. Can you feel the rug being pulled out from under me? She was wonderful about giving us resources to use to help him, and she also does tutoring if we decide to go that route. She also gave us the name and number of a very good Audiologist whom she trusts for an official diagnosis of Auditory Processing Disorder. Now I'm drowning in a sea of dyslexia reading material and curriculum choices. We need to make important decisions ASAP, and we'll begin using the curriculum this summer to get a jump on his problems.
I'm reading over and over that Dyslexics have very special gifts. They are talented in ways that many people aren't because of the way their brains work. That's comforting. However, as anyone with children can relate, you don't want any hurdles for your children. Yes, there are going to be things thrown in their way, but you always hope it isn't going to be something that is a really big struggle. Honestly, we thought we knew what his big struggle would be . . . stuttering. Now, he's got a couple more. That hurts my heart for him.
We have intensive tutoring to be done. It's stinking expensive. It will take extra time during our days to do it. There many things we'll be using, but we haven't made solid choices on the specific curriculum yet. The one thing I think is certain we'll be using, and it's the core of the tutoring, is the Barton Reading System. You can look at the price list and get an idea of the "stinking expensive" I'm talking about! This is only one of the many things we'll be using these next few years. Really, I'm complaining about the cost, but if it's what saves your child from years of struggle I won't hesitate to dive in. I'll do whatever needs to be done to help him. It's just kind of a blow, you know what I mean?
We are still looking into getting a vision tracking assessment done, as we are still concerned that there are problems there as well. That will mean more therapy. I don't know what the Audiologist will have us do for therapy, if it's at home like the dyslexia things or if it's done thru her. We need to make decisions on the other curriculum choices we've been given for dyslexia. We are trudging our way thru many thick books written about dyslexia and auditory processing disorder.
I can see how these things are missed for years and years in the school system. I'm so thankful we homeschool. Everything I read says that the way to help a dyslexic is by one-on-one tutoring. That's what we do here everyday. I will need to depend on God to deliver me from excessive worry. I can't look back and kick myself for not finding these things sooner. What's done is done. God is faithful. If I allow myself to be mired down with regret or worry, I'm not trusting Him and His promises. We pick up from here and move forward, helping Big Man in every possible way. He's a very diligent worker. That is a strength of his that we will need from here on out.
If you think of us, would you please pray? I feel like I'm drowning . . . . . .drowning . . . . . .drowning.
Comments
Jun. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ArrowsInOurQuiver
Hello! It was a joy reading about your family and some of the things you do to teach your children! I will be praying for your family concerning your precious son, but know that even in the midst of your hurt, you are rejoicing even more that something more serious is not wrong. Thank the Lord for His goodness! Hope to see you soon! Can't wait to be back!
Jun. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lexi
I'll be thinking about you. That must be very stressful. But how wonderful to be able to homeschool! He'll get the best help that way! Good luck with the all the overwhelming research.
Jun. 9, 2008 - Dyslexia
Posted by Anonymous
Hi. This is my first time to your blog, but I really like it. My son is also dyslexic. We just finished almost 2 years of weekly tutoring along with daily work at home. He still doesn't read at "grade level", but he's no longer scared about it. Get the help you need, but be reassured that these kids will be just fine. Mostly, he needs parents who love him - which it sounds like he has!
Blessings,
Catherine
www.domesticadventure.blogspot.com
Jun. 9, 2008 - Praying for you
Posted by Anonymous
Oh, hon, you sound like you're having a time like I had the beginning of this school year. My boy was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. I have not been so low in such a long time. Your words in your post bring back hauntingly fresh memories of those days. But, just as with your boy Kathy, God was not suprised. He knew all of this before he was formed in the womb. He gave your boy just the mom he needs to help him through this, and he's the same boy today as he was before the test. And you WILL get through it.
And, I don't know if this applies to you, so if not, ignore me. I automatically went into information gathering mode. The more I read, the more anxious I got. I began to drown in the sea of "informing myself" and after a while, I started to lean too much on my own limited understanding, all in the name of being equipped as a good, educated mom should be (or so I thought). So many routes to take, so many opinions out there, so much conflicting information, and quite frankly, so many guesses by others. I began to feel as if it was on my shoulders to wade through this and find THE answer for our family.
Only when I began to stop filling my mind with information overload did God begin to instill peace and provide routes for us. And they were unmistakable routes, though not the ones I had planned. I was trying to go at my pace (ugh) and not His. Again, this may be just my quirk, but I'm just throwing it out there!
Know I'm praying for you. Get in touch if you need to talk. Take care!
Jun. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Sorry! The last anon was me!
Lisa French
Jun. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MayTheyBeMightyMen
Oh, darlin'! I've been so far behind. I'm sorry that my catch up means I'm just finding this now. :'( I wish I'd found it the instant you posted.
Of course I will pray for you! We have run into issues with "Mixed Dominance" here, and it sometimes makes it rough. So, I can relate to most of what you've written.
I'm going to pray for your family's blessing and healing!
Jun. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
I know how hard it is to recieve a diagnosis and have to then figure out what to do about it. With three of our children I have been there many times. We will pray that you will find the right path for your son.
Blessings,
Dawn
Jun. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 2girlsand2boys
My daugther was diagnosed with "dyslexic tendencies" and auditory processing issues when she was 7. She is currently almost 10 and reading just about on grade level. We spent a year and a half of intensive tutoring (to the tune of $90 A WEEK!) Her tutor used the LindamoodBell Phonemic Sequencing Program (LIPS) and I would recommend it. I know that it would have been expensive to buy, but her tutor was nice encough to lend out all of the materials and show me how to work with her at home.
That being said, I think what worked best for my daughter was just time. With the intense nature of the tutoring, she was starting to hate reading. We stopped the tutoring last May (2007) with her only reading on an end of 1st grade level. We had a VERY relaxed homeschool year this year, with her being allowed to read whatever she wanted and without a reading curriculum, and she is now reading on a 4th grade level. Last year at this time she was struggling through simple Magic Treehouse books and this year she is reading Charlotte's Web.
I think it is important to remember that even though the tutors may know what most kids need, they don't always know what is best for your kid. My daughter still has some reversals and she is a SLOW reader, but her comprehension is awesome and she is doing it on her own and that makes her feel so proud.
Reading may just click for your son in his own time and no matter how much time and/or money you spend on fancy materials, he may get it on his own in good time.
Good luck with your son. I know how hard it is to hear that your kid isn't "normal", but, really, we are homeschoolers and far from normal in most aspects! :)
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