Saw doctor today

[Suzybearybake]

I just got back from our doctor's visit. He agrees that my son has dyslexia based on my comments and some type of visual tracking exam. He is recommending that we get tested by a neurological optomotrist two hours away. He said that we would need a team of specialists to work on this and that I am not really capable of doing this at home on my own. He further stated that my school district was horrible and they probably would not by a great help to him either. I asked him what he suggested. He said move and put him in a better district. I don't know how we are going to afford this. Just the gas back and forth will absolutely kill us . I have been just crying,thinking about it. We have to help him. I am afraid to send him to ps. He will be pigioned holded with the LD kids and made fun of. My oldest ( ADD) son's experience with the ps and their lack of help or cooperation was the whole reason that we decided to home school to begin with. I don't know what to do. I called my husband ( he has been out of town) and tried to talk to him, but he wanted to wait and talk tonight after my son's baseball game. I am so upset. I want what is best for him. Can I do this? Am I going to just put him increasingly further behind by trying to do this myself? I don't want my pride to end up hurting him, but I also do not want to repeat what his brother went through. I am not sure what I am up aganist, but feel like I am on my own. I don't know how I will be able to homeschool any one if I am trying to run to therapies so far from home. I don't know how we will afford this. I have not seen a doctor in years so that there is money for school books. Please pray for us. I just don't know how we will manage.

[EKS]

First of all, you didn't mention what kind of doctor this was but most doctors would have absolutely no clue what is possible to do at home.

 

I would recommend that if at all possible you get any visual issues taken care of. Both my kids have done vision therapy and, believe me, the bulk of the therapy is exercises at home. There are computer programs that are specifically for VT. You could simply tell the vision therapist that you need a program where you only come in once a month (usual is weekly).

 

You can also do a cognative skills training program like Audiblox at home. There used to be a program called BrainSkills but they no longer sell it. It is better to do programs like these after the sensory issues are taken care of.

 

Also, if you haven't already, get a copy of Overcoming Dyslexia. It is an excellent book. Do not pay attention to the part about parents being unqualified to teach their dyslexic children to read. I think what the author means by that is that parents shouldn't just wing it when trying to help their dyslexic children. It is very possible for parents to educate themselves about remediating dyslexia and then doing it. There are several people on this board who have done just that. I am one of them.

[Pensguys]

I totally agree with EKS. We do vision therapy at home with computer programs and a Brock String (from the DO). We do go to OT at the local children's hospital though. AND my ds has dyslexia. VT has helped his tracking programs as well as other areas. We have been using ABeCeDarian with the I See Sam books for reading and Apples and Pears for spelling. Our neuropsychologist did the testing for us to determine his disabilities, but you CAN do this at home. She recommended the Wilson program (which my friend does but she uses a tutor). That was going to be my next step if ABeCeDarian had not helped. Both ABCE and A/P were written for dyslexic students. Repetition is a BIG key for dyslexic students so just determine WHAT you need to do and the best way for your family to do it....then do it....and come here for a shoulder to cry on or for a pat on the back. Your child WILL be helped and don't let ANY dr. tell you that you can't do what is needed for your child.

 

PLEASE don't be discouraged. The ladies here have been SUCH a great help to me and calmed my fears. Just take it ONE step at a time.

[Anne]

Do not be discouraged!

 

I have friends who have homeschooled their SEVERELY dyslexic sons through high school. Both have done extremely well in college and they are doing well.

 

It is possible! You will have to be intentional and you will have to seek out resources to use and figure out exactly what works best for your son - but it is very doable!!

 

Anne

[Laurie4b]

He might have agreed that your son sounds like he has dyslexia, that he probably has dyslexia, but he could not have possibly diagnosed dyslexia with listening to your description and doing one eye tracking test.

 

As the others suggested, visit the neur. opt. for an eval and then see what he or she says.

 

You are going to have to spend some money, though, one way or the other.

[Suzybearybake]

Thank you ladies so much for your input and words of encouragement. It helps so much to know that I am not doing this alone. I have some questions for you experienced ones out there. What is the name of the at home vision therapy program ? Where do you get it? Home much does it cost? Have you had success with it? We have a Scottish Rite Learning Center about 30 minutes from our house that will teach him for free , but the waiting list is a year long and you have to do a $575 psych evaluation first. Would I be better off going to that with him in one year and trying to remediate with Abecedarian, All About Spelling, and the vision computer program in the meantime? Would Barton be a better option? I saw a video presentation on Barton's website and she this some treatments that do not work. Vision therapy was one of those things lisited. OK, now I am more confused than I was before. We will do what ever is necessary and borrow or somehow get the money to cover what he needs, but we can not afford to pay thousands of dollars back for something that might not even help. At $100 a visit (out of pocket) once a week, we will drown in debt fast. What do you ladies think? Best course of action?

[Laurie4b]

Professionals outside of the optometry field do not typically support vision therapy. You need to google it, read the evidence, and decide for yourself. We are starting vision therapy, but I am not sure about it. I'm taking the risk knowingly. However, we're entering it for a very specific purpose--to peel back one part of academics that is difficult for ds. He's already remediated enough to be at or above grade level.

 

You can't go wrong investing in an experienced reading tutor in the meantime.