I think we're taking the HSing plunge!

[displace]

So DH and I had our post NP talk yesterday. DS gifted ness is really messing with the diagnoses but we're settling on dyslexia + dysgraphia and/or dyspraxia for now. NP said there will never be remediation at school and just hope they could accommodate. I had a heart to heart with DH about how I can't do after schooling anymore and there's no options for us for it to be done during the day at a B&M.

 

Then last night we had the teacher conference and got a lot of confirmation. The professional teacher confirmed how grueling our after school schedule is, how defeated DS is in class, how sad, the likely failure in second grade next year because of writing, etc.

 

DH and I will be making an official decision tonight as I want him to at least sleep on it. I've done enough research about all this that I feel comfortable making the decision but DH hasn't had time to process this really.

 

I think the teacher conference was great for both of us. She encouraged me as a potential HSer, and helped DH see things from an outsider educator's perspective.

 

I did feel some grief thinking about the experiences DS won't have that I had growing up. But let's face it: I loved and excelled at school whereas he's miserable. He probably won't have those experiences anyway. Or maybe in the future but not right now. At least it's something we can work on, and since DS is still so young we can prevent a lot of problems.

 

A big thank you to everyone on this board for all your help!

[PeterPan]

It's the start of a great adventure!!

 

:party:   :party:

[merry gardens]

I'm excited for you, but I also understand the grief you mentioned. There's something about having an *official* diagnosis.

 

Homeschooling is a journey. Just take it one day (or one year at a time.) You don't have to decide to pull your son out of brick & mortar school forever and ever; you can reassess school attendance again once he's gone through remediation. In the meantime, while your son won't be duplicating the experiences you had at school, you'll probably find that you create and share some wonderful experiences together through homeschooling.

 

:)

[OneStepAtATime]

Big hugs AND cheers.  I do truly think you are making the right decision.  And as you said, this doesn't have to be a forever thing.  At some point down the road, perhaps in Middle or High School, going back to ps or a private school might be a good option.  Or you may discover that homeschooling is so successful you won't ever want to do anything else.  Or something else really cool may come along, something you haven't even thought of yet.  Life is fluid.  You never know what interesting options are just around the corner.  :)

[displace]

It's the start of a great adventure!!

 

:party:   :party:

 

Thanks!!   :)  I love the party people.

 

[displace]

I'm excited for you, but I also understand the grief you mentioned. There's something about having an *official* diagnosis.

 

Homeschooling is a journey. Just take it one day (or one year at a time.) You don't have to decide to pull your son out of brick & mortar school forever and ever; you can reassess school attendance again once he's gone through remediation. In the meantime, while your son won't be duplicating the experiences you had at school, you'll probably find that you create and share some wonderful experiences together through homeschooling.

 

:)

 

Thanks :)  And what you say about us creating experiences together, I think that's more important.  Honestly, though I had fun in school and really enjoyed it and spent a lot of time there, once you're older it doesn't really matter. 

 

[displace]

Big hugs AND cheers.  I do truly think you are making the right decision.  And as you said, this doesn't have to be a forever thing.  At some point down the road, perhaps in Middle or High School, going back to ps or a private school might be a good option.  Or you may discover that homeschooling is so successful you won't ever want to do anything else.  Or something else really cool may come along, something you haven't even thought of yet.  Life is fluid.  You never know what interesting options are just around the corner.   :)

 

Thanks :)  I appreciate the support.  I think I need to give up my pre-conceived notions of what school "should" be like and do what is actually the right thing. 

[displace]

I spoke to another mom at the school today and mentioned we're going to be HSing and she actually told me she HSed one of her children for a bit in early elementary.  She said we can enroll DS for the electives during the day because they're considered extracurriculars (we're in the Tim Tebow state).  I didn't think that would apply until middle school so that's excellent!  DS could possibly still see his classmates even on a daily basis for PE, art, and music.  The only snag is I think the electives are right in the middle of the morning so it may break up the schedule too much to really do daily, but it would be great even as just exercise in the middle of the day and we can count it as a scheduled long recess maybe.  IDK I'll have to figure it out.  I was so encouraged to hear that from her.

[displace]

BTW: is it typical to feel a little euphoric at this point?  I'm practically giddy.  No more confines of PS standards to keep up with!

[Mom22ns]

BTW: is it typical to feel a little euphoric at this point?  I'm practically giddy.  No more confines of PS standards to keep up with!

 

Yes! I'm glad you posted this. When you said you were feeling a little sad about the things he will miss, I wondered if you were really happy with the decision. I'm glad to hear that you really are happy, even though there is some natural grief over what isn't going to be.

 

Getting a diagnosis and moving to homeschooling are both big changes. Both can bring feelings of loss and grief. Both can bring wonderful opening of new doors and new possibilities and you understand what you have been seeing and move into a place that gives you far more control of your ds's future. It is a plunge and excitement and fear mingle. 

 

Giddiness is definitely in the range of acceptable emotions.  :D

 

Joining the party...  :party:

[HeWillSoar]

Good for you!  I pulled my 13 year old out of public school because he was really struggling, and even though he qualified for extra help, it wasn't helping.  Now he is so much happier, and each day both of us are learning new things.  I am certain he is getting more out of our time working together at home than he was at school.  His confidence is also increasing.  I was so touched the other day when he said, "I was a beast at writing today, wasn't I?"  He's really like a new kid.

 

I hope it goes just as well for you and your son. 

[displace]

Yes! I'm glad you posted this. When you said you were feeling a little sad about the things he will miss, I wondered if you were really happy with the decision. I'm glad to hear that you really are happy, even though there is some natural grief over what isn't going to be.

 

Getting a diagnosis and moving to homeschooling are both big changes. Both can bring feelings of loss and grief. Both can bring wonderful opening of new doors and new possibilities and you understand what you have been seeing and move into a place that gives you far more control of your ds's future. It is a plunge and excitement and fear mingle.

 

Giddiness is definitely in the range of acceptable emotions. :D

 

Joining the party... :party:

Dare I admit I'm a bit excited to homeschool? Almost eager?

The weather is finally nice and I think our first day of homeschool should be a field trip to the zoo, followed by the children's museum, and maybe the aquarium? Nicely rounded with joining gymnastics for DS for "OT". And signing up for that scouts camping trip. All kid things we've been neglecting. :). :party:

[displace]

Good for you! I pulled my 13 year old out of public school because he was really struggling, and even though he qualified for extra help, it wasn't helping. Now he is so much happier, and each day both of us are learning new things. I am certain he is getting more out of our time working together at home than he was at school. His confidence is also increasing. I was so touched the other day when he said, "I was a beast at writing today, wasn't I?" He's really like a new kid.

 

I hope it goes just as well for you and your son.

Thank you. It's good to hear encouraging stories.

[Pen]

Dare I admit I'm a bit excited to homeschool? Almost eager?

The weather is finally nice and I think our first day of homeschool should be a field trip to the zoo, followed by the children's museum, and maybe the aquarium? Nicely rounded with joining gymnastics for DS for "OT". And signing up for that scouts camping trip. All kid things we've been neglecting. :). :party:

 

 

Wow!  I'm glad you are eager to get started!

 

I'd probably do one of each of these activities on the first day, or sometime in the first week, then another a few weeks later, another a few weeks later.  Maybe after studying something that would fit the zoo trip, or the museum, or the aquarium before, going there.   Or perhaps going and then studying more, and then going again.

 

Less is often more.  And rhythm and balance and pacing one self are important to success.

[SandyKC]

CONGRATULATIONS on your BIIIIG Decision!! I know it's a difficult road we plow to get to the point of giving up on public school, but it will be best for your DS to receive a great one-on-one education at home. ;)  

 

He really doesn't have to miss out on much either if there are other active homeschoolers in your area.  We started with a simple call to park day every Friday afternoon.. If you can't find it already happening, send out a plea to homeschoolers in your area to meet at the park every Friday afternoon for play!  It's a GREAT time for the moms and kids to connect.  Then you all can plan whatever you want your child to experience. ;)

 

 

 

[displace]

CONGRATULATIONS on your BIIIIG Decision!! I know it's a difficult road we plow to get to the point of giving up on public school, but it will be best for your DS to receive a great one-on-one education at home. ;)

 

He really doesn't have to miss out on much either if there are other active homeschoolers in your area. We started with a simple call to park day every Friday afternoon.. If you can't find it already happening, send out a plea to homeschoolers in your area to meet at the park every Friday afternoon for play! It's a GREAT time for the moms and kids to connect. Then you all can plan whatever you want your child to experience. ;)

Thanks! I heard rumors the close HSing group has another child with 2e in a similar conundrum so we'll see.

I'm not super organized yet but I have a workboxes system I think will work for us, curriculum decided (tentatively), library books on hold, a rough plan for a solar system science unit, tons of dollar toys for toddler to do, and desire. DH said we can pull him in a few weeks. I think there's no point in waiting unless I wanted to have everything super prepared before we begin. But even that won't take more than a few days I think. I hope. No school tomorrow so if I get a lot more straightened up with organizing and also house chores done and a few busy bags for toddler I think Tuesday will be his last day. So nervous and scared again!

[SandyKC]

Thanks! I heard rumors the close HSing group has another child with 2e in a similar conundrum so we'll see.

I'm not super organized yet but I have a workboxes system I think will work for us, curriculum decided (tentatively), library books on hold, a rough plan for a solar system science unit, tons of dollar toys for toddler to do, and desire. DH said we can pull him in a few weeks. I think there's no point in waiting unless I wanted to have everything super prepared before we begin. But even that won't take more than a few days I think. I hope. No school tomorrow so if I get a lot more straightened up with organizing and also house chores done and a few busy bags for toddler I think Tuesday will be his last day. So nervous and scared again!

ROTFLOL!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the changes to your signature line! PERFECT!! :D

 

It's scary, but it will be a new adventure through which all of you will learn through immersion. ;)

 

If you want to be in touch behind the scenes and/or face issues or questions you don't really want to post publicly, feel free to PM me anytime. I don't always have answers, but I have an endless supply of encouragement. ;)

 

(That offer goes for anyone here too, BTW) 

HUGS and HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING! :D

[displace]

ROTFLOL! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the changes to your signature line! PERFECT!! :D

 

It's scary, but it will be a new adventure through which all of you will learn through immersion. ;)

 

If you want to be in touch behind the scenes and/or face issues or questions you don't really want to post publicly, feel free to PM me anytime. I don't always have answers, but I have an endless supply of encouragement. ;)

 

(That offer goes for anyone here too, BTW)

HUGS and HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING! :D

Thank you again. You have been such a great source of knowledge and encouragement. I'm so grateful!

[PeterPan]

About your sig... Did the psych say adhd?  Are you going to put the dc on the coffee to see if it calms him down and helps him focus, or is that only for you?  :)

[SandyKC]

About your sig... Did the psych say adhd?  Are you going to put the dc on the coffee to see if it calms him down and helps him focus, or is that only for you?   :)

LOL! There's definitely some truth to this! :D  My DS "needed" his coffee in the morning to focus... I drink it now too and it helps me! ;)

[MiMi 4under3]

Congrats on your decision!  :)

[displace]

About your sig... Did the psych say adhd? Are you going to put the dc on the coffee to see if it calms him down and helps him focus, or is that only for you? :)

Haha so funny! NP said to treat like dyslexia and dysgraphia and/or dyspraxia. She was also confused I think so I'm going with dyslexia/dysgraphia for now. We have a developmental Peds appt soon who seems to really know his stuff so we'll seek further recs from him.

 

Funny you mention this as I was reading a book about dysgraphia and there was an example of handwriting on and off meds for a student with ADHD. The handwriting was worse on meds!

[displace]

LOL! There's definitely some truth to this! :D My DS "needed" his coffee in the morning to focus... I drink it now too and it helps me! ;)

Welcome to the coffee club :). I love flavored coffee and found a tasty pumpkin spice at target archer brand. Yum yum!

[displace]

Congrats on your decision! :)

Thanks! We'll see what happens!

[PeterPan]

Are you pursuing an OT eval?  I don't know why you need the developmental ped (did np recommend?) but you definitely need the OT.

[PeterPan]

PS.  You realize what a hopping' woman you are?  You've gone from in the school with discussion of IEP to out of school with full evals (at least in progress) in a short number of weeks!  That's a great way to start, with a lot of INFORMATION to guide your decisions!

 

:hurray:   :thumbup:  :001_tt1: 

 

Is your dh in a bit of a blur?  :)

[displace]

Are you pursuing an OT eval? I don't know why you need the developmental ped (did np recommend?) but you definitely need the OT.

OT is this week. We're pursuing dvlp Peds to see if there's a diagnosis for insurance or academic (future school) purposes. Since NP didn't diagnose dysgraphia we need someone to call it by its name. And if dyspraxia is present I want to make sure we pursue that in tandem. I don't like to live guessing if there's a way to know what is going on. I think the first part of this is calling things by their true names.

[displace]

PS. You realize what a hopping' woman you are? You've gone from in the school with discussion of IEP to out of school with full evals (at least in progress) in a short number of weeks! That's a great way to start, with a lot of INFORMATION to guide your decisions!

 

:hurray: :thumbup: :001_tt1:

Well, it was all done privately, that's why. And I picked the Neuropsych with the quickest appt which is why everything is a little wonky. I love the PS teacher but she was still working on the RTI. I was thinking how slow this all was because it's already the end of the first semester. We still have audiology, COVD, SLP, OT to do. We did skip neuro at least.

 

Thanks for the support regardless. I've been so stressed since day 1 of this school year I started with everything almost immediately. I'm still waiting for them to respond to my initial request for an evaluation!

 

DH is a little confused. He is hesitant and says he doesn't want me to be stressed out in a few months. I told him I couldn't be more stressed than I am now! I'm very hesitant too but I think we'll do some progress testing just to see where we're at to make sure there's progress.

[Heathermomster]

OT is this week. We're pursuing dvlp Peds to see if there's a diagnosis for insurance or academic (future school) purposes. Since NP didn't diagnose dysgraphia we need someone to call it by its name. And if dyspraxia is present I want to make sure we pursue that in tandem. I don't like to live guessing if there's a way to know what is going on. I think the first part of this is calling things by their true names.

So, how did OT go?

[displace]

OT eval was great. But, I wasn't suspecting a second wait list for treatment sessions. I asked for the writeup to include at home exercises so we can get started. As I suspected, core strength and upper body/fine motor strength weakness, likely fine motor delay. I guess suspect is too strong a word but from what I researched I'm not surprised. And a second suggestion to shore up core/upper body strength primarily with fine motor being a natural result.

So twice daily I'm going to include OT at home and fine motor once daily if the stars align. Even if it is just for five min each. And gymnastics twice weekly. I'm hopeful he'll enjoy gymnastics. There's a YMCA HSing gymnastics class we'll try to get to. Only problem is if he starts to dislike it.

[Lecka]

This sounds like possible good/great news to me.  

 

If he has weaker core strength, I have talked to people informally, where it seems like when this is the problem, there kids make really good progress in OT, b/c it is something where OT can really help it.  Also hopefully the exercises can be on the fun side!  At least it is a change from pencil and paper.  

 

At least it is a time to be optimistic that it could get easier for him :)

[displace]

That's true! I forgot to add she mentioned there may even be a big difference in just 6 months. She also recommended PT so I'll start the wait list for that.

[Pen]

Did you start home school this last week?  If so, how is it going?

[Heathermomster]

We were told that DD had weak core, weak pincer grasp, and mild motor planning issues.  Here is a website that contains directions for half of the exercises DD performed 5 times per week using a stability ball:  ball push-up with feet up, ball chest fly, and ball dumbbell press with soup cans.  DD worked her way up to 15 reps each exercise.  DD performed additional exercises; however, I am unable to find them on-line.  She also worked with the OT once per week.  These exercises take very little time.  For motor planning, we were advised to start kid yoga.  We have a video but have not used it. 

 

I presently use Start Write software to print up handwriting sheets.  DD practices writing her name, day of the week, full date, and a sentence or verse from whatever subject or book that we are studying.  I am slowly increasing the amount of writing.  Sometimes, DD will dictate a sentence or names that she wants to write.  She will copy popular Star Wars phrases or the names of My Little Pony characters.  I just go with it if her own dictation keeps her motivated.  She sits at a table adjusted for her height.  We have experimented with short and regular sized pencils with grips.  DD prefers a shorter pencil and no grip.  IKEA sells awesome adjustable desks and chairs for grammar stage students.  DD has also started using KWT.  I'm not 100% sold on typing at this age, so KWT may not fly.

 

I forgot to mention this.  We use the LOE Student Whiteboard.  We love it and use it with phonics and spelling. 

[displace]

Did you start home school this last week? If so, how is it going?

Yes we did! Thanks for asking. We had a trial week starting Wednesday. Day 1 was a lot disjointed with a hodgepodge of let's do this or that or magic school bus. We did go on a nature walk and we scored a molted snake skin. Day 2 was OT eval and a zoo field trip (which I still intend us to learn about some animals we picked to read about). Day 3 (last day) was much better organized with HWT, reading, phonogram review, focusing on b only words and letter, some science, address review, and miquon review.

 

I'm doing Barton student screening today and I will get it if DS passes. I do like AAR but I'm uncertain of the amount of review that is put into it. I want to be more thorough and want the DVD reinforcement of Barton I think. I'm nervous it may move too slowly but we'll see. I can always advance quicker maybe or switch back to AAR if Barton is too cumbersome. I think HSing will come together better once I figure out what curriculum I want to use, as well as have realistic expectations of progression. I was busy but it was good, and in the afternoons we had enough energy still to do extra things like take a bike ride, see friends, etc. So much more balanced! DS said it was good so that's good.

[displace]

We were told that DD had weak core, weak pincer grasp, and mild motor planning issues. Here is a website that contains directions for half of the exercises DD performed 5 times per week using a stability ball: ball push-up with feet up, ball chest fly, and ball dumbbell press with soup cans. DD worked her way up to 15 reps each exercise. DD performed additional exercises; however, I am unable to find them on-line. She also worked with the OT once per week. These exercises take very little time. For motor planning, we were advised to start kid yoga. We have a video but have not used it.

 

I presently use Start Write software to print up handwriting sheets. DD practices writing her name, day of the week, full date, and a sentence or verse from whatever subject or book that we are studying. I am slowly increasing the amount of writing. Sometimes, DD will dictate a sentence or names that she wants to write. She will copy popular Star Wars phrases or the names of My Little Pony characters. I just go with it if her own dictation keeps her motivated. She sits at a table adjusted for her height. We have experimented with short and regular sized pencils with grips. DD prefers a shorter pencil and no grip. IKEA sells awesome adjustable desks and chairs for grammar stage students. DD has also started using KWT. I'm not 100% sold on typing at this age, so KWT may not fly.

 

I forgot to mention this. We use the LOE Student Whiteboard. We love it and use it with phonics and spelling.

Thanks for the recs! They also said poor motor planning but IDK. The examples they saw were things that he's never been exposed too so why would he automatically know how to do at 6, IYKWIM. I'll look into the whiteboard. I did get the start write and that's a relief! No more 15 min prepping sheets! I already have sheets for the week Pre typed! I think we'll do some dictation eventually but for now 10-15 min of words is enough. And I'm also trying to keep the words phonetic so he can sound them out too.

 

I'll have to look into the Ikea desk. We have a nice kid desk/table but I'm wondering in a slant would be easier for DS to use. We use shorty pencils with grips.

 

I just bought DS a bounce sit ball (a ball with a handle meant to bounce on), and maybe we can use that for stability exercises. OT recommended animal walking, wheelbarrow walking, basketball dribbling, gymnastics, and yoga too (but I don't know any so I got a library book).

 

I sure wish there were a group of us that all lived near me so we could get together!

[OneStepAtATime]

Love the Start Write Software here!  So awesome.  I use it with the New American Cursive books for DS since he likes cursive better than print but isn't automatic yet.  DD likes that I can print out quotes from movies or literary references that she wants to save. She writes in cursive just fine but she doesn't like the way she forms certain letters.  The sheets kill two birds with one stone.  She practices the problem letters and also practices writing something she wants to save.  Once she feels she has it down well, she writes the quote on decorative paper and posts it on her wall in her room.

 

displace I am so in awe of how much you have accomplished for your child in such a short period of time.  You rock!  :)

[PeterPan]

We were told that DD had weak core, weak pincer grasp, and mild motor planning issues.  Here is a website that contains directions for half of the exercises DD performed 5 times per week using a stability ball:  ball push-up with feet up, ball chest fly, and ball dumbbell press with soup cans.  DD worked her way up to 15 reps each exercise.  DD performed additional exercises; however, I am unable to find them on-line.  She also worked with the OT once per week.  These exercises take very little time.  For motor planning, we were advised to start kid yoga.  We have a video but have not used it. 

 

 

You win the prize!!   :thumbup1:   As usual.  :)  Anyways, those exercises are awesome!  They'll have ds doing tons of sit-ups and push-ups for gymnastics, but the way PTs do things are much better!  So does your ball roll or do you have the kind with sand in it?  I'm totally repenting that my ball doesn't have sand in it to hold still, sigh.  

 

Have you seen the one pound weighted exercise balls? They're small and soft, with sand and whatnot.  S'cool Moves (Focus Moves book) suggests them for some of the later exercises.  But soup cans work too.  :)

 

Well awesome.  I was trying to figure out how to add core to the rest of our week, and this will be perfect!  

[PeterPan]

Congrats on your great first week!!!  That's so wonderful he's happy to be home.   :hurray:    :hurray:   :hurray:

 

You can buy a separate slantboard to use on the table you already have.  http://www.visualedgesb.com  These are what our OT uses.  The legs collapse, so it's easy to store when you're not using it.

 

Come down to the Cincy convention in the spring and you CAN meet everyone!  People come from all over for it.  Apparently it has become one of the largest in the country!  :)

[FairProspects]

Our OT recommended swimming or martial arts for core strength, so those might be options to consider too if he doesn't end up enjoying the gymnastics. After ds started Tae Kwon Do twice a week, we saw rapid improvement and graduated from OT shortly afterward.

[FairProspects]

Heathermomster - what is the kid yoga DVD called? Ds loves yoga and has been asking for a DVD to do at home.

[Heathermomster]

Thanks for the recs! They also said poor motor planning but IDK. They examples they saw were things that he's never been exposed too so why would he automatically know how to do at 6, IYKWIM. I'll look into the whiteboard. I did get the start write and that's a relief! No more 15 min prepping sheets! I already have sheets for the week Pre typed! I think we'll do some dictation eventually but for now 10-15 min of words is enough. And I'm also trying to keep the words phonetic so he can sound them out too.

 

I'll have to look into the Ikea desk. We have a nice kid desk/table but I'm wondering in a slant would be easier for DS to use. We use shorty pencils with grips.

 

I just bought DS a bounce sit ball (a ball with a handle meant to bounce on), and maybe we can use that for stability exercises. OT recommended animal walking, wheelbarrow walking, basketball dribbling, gymnastics, and yoga too (but I don't know any so I got a library book).

 

I sure wish there were a group of us that all lived near me so we could get together!

I was thrown myself when the OT mentioned motor planning.  I questioned the OT and she demonstrated how DD could not mirror movements.  The OT asked me whether I suspected ADHD and asked about learning issues.  If DD has learning issues, I cannot tell.  After struggling with DS, I've worked slowy and deliberately with DD to cover math and phonics.  ETA:  I just checked.  DD writes 15-20 words per day plus about 1/4 to 1/2 of her math answers.

 

You could use the bounce/sit ball.  Maybe rotate the ball so that the handle is to the side and does not impede rolling.  There are so many details to this.  I did not fill the ball tight with air to reduce the bounce factor.  Your child could also use an ottoman.  

 

Prior to seeing the OT, OhE mentioned the wheel barrow walking.  DD wheel barrow walked for a few days prior to being able to perform the push ups with her knees on the ball. 

 

If you try out the slant board, please give us a review.  Each time I see one of those things, I try to figure out a way to make one.

[Heathermomster]

Heathermomster - what is the kid yoga DVD called? Ds loves yoga and has been asking for a DVD to do at home.

Kids World Yoga...Maybe see if your local library has this.  

[PeterPan]

Heather, I like your idea of deflating the ball just a bit!  Yes, dd also cannot imitate.  It's how we got in this pickle where she doesn't have a label that gets her out of foreign languages but really struggles (like gets an 82 on the final even when she works double to triple what everyone else does) but she can't do something like ASL that requires imitation either.   :(  Our OT said it was an indication of praxis, but then she didn't put that in the write-up.  So it's enough to cause problems but not enough to get a diagnosis.

[Heathermomster]

Heather, I like your idea of deflating the ball just a bit!  Yes, dd also cannot imitate.  It's how we got in this pickle where she doesn't have a label that gets her out of foreign languages but really struggles (like gets an 82 on the final even when she works double to triple what everyone else does) but she can't do something like ASL that requires imitation either.   :(  Our OT said it was an indication of praxis, but then she didn't put that in the write-up.  So it's enough to cause problems but not enough to get a diagnosis.

I stand on the shoulders of giants.  The OT deflated the ball she used with DD, so I tried it too.

 

DD can mimic but not fully.  The OT made it sound like a game such as Simon Says would help.  I tuned out and whatever-ed that part of the conversation.  DD decided she wanted to learn to knit last week, so I demonstrated the knit stitch in under 10 minutes.  Her tension is messed up, but the girl can knit.  I just don't know what to think of my children. :lol:

[Timberly]

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[displace]

We were told that DD had weak core, weak pincer grasp, and mild motor planning issues.  Here is a website that contains directions for half of the exercises DD performed 5 times per week using a stability ball:  ball push-up with feet up, ball chest fly, and ball dumbbell press with soup cans.  DD worked her way up to 15 reps each exercise.  DD performed additional exercises; however, I am unable to find them on-line.  She also worked with the OT once per week.  These exercises take very little time.  For motor planning, we were advised to start kid yoga.  We have a video but have not used it. 

 

I presently use Start Write software to print up handwriting sheets.  DD practices writing her name, day of the week, full date, and a sentence or verse from whatever subject or book that we are studying.  I am slowly increasing the amount of writing.  Sometimes, DD will dictate a sentence or names that she wants to write.  She will copy popular Star Wars phrases or the names of My Little Pony characters.  I just go with it if her own dictation keeps her motivated.  She sits at a table adjusted for her height.  We have experimented with short and regular sized pencils with grips.  DD prefers a shorter pencil and no grip.  IKEA sells awesome adjustable desks and chairs for grammar stage students.  DD has also started using KWT.  I'm not 100% sold on typing at this age, so KWT may not fly.

 

I forgot to mention this.  We use the LOE Student Whiteboard.  We love it and use it with phonics and spelling. 

I forgot in my last post to you that I'm sure you've heard of the Read, Write, Type program for typing.  It teaches to type based on the phonogram, "Type /f/, /a/", etc.  The animation, though a little cheesy for me, is well liked by DS.  After typing two sounds (letters) I said we had to move on and he actually complained about stopping!  KWT, which is okay and I think is good, was boring to DS, and he hated the remedial mousework portion.  He would also frequently get frustrated by not aligning things perfectly and then having to redo things.  I do like how KWT has such great looking letters and print. 

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Love the Start Write Software here!  So awesome.  I use it with the New American Cursive books for DS since he likes cursive better than print but isn't automatic yet.  DD likes that I can print out quotes from movies or literary references that she wants to save. She writes in cursive just fine but she doesn't like the way she forms certain letters.  The sheets kill two birds with one stone.  She practices the problem letters and also practices writing something she wants to save.  Once she feels she has it down well, she writes the quote on decorative paper and posts it on her wall in her room.

 

displace I am so in awe of how much you have accomplished for your child in such a short period of time.  You rock!   :)

 

I will repeat I love that Start Write software.  I thought it was another frivolous purchase (gosh I've spent so much money so quickly recently with all this testing and curriculum!), but it ended up being the best money I've spent so far!  I think it will easily save me at least an hour each week of "dotting", plus we can move on to modelled sentences to when DS is ready, and I can even use it for dictating some of what DS says.  And maybe writing my own easy readers as those are expensive!  And maybe typing up things for DS to read easier.  I asked DS if he likes the 2 lined HWT lines better than the 3 lines from traditional school paper better and he said 2 lines so that's great for us too.

 

Thanks for the support :blush:  I sometimes feel like I'm behind already even though I know we're reacting much faster and are fortunate compared to many with LD.  I only wish I had used a neuropsych at first when testing instead of a regular psych.  Not that our NP was really great and I'm still wondering if we need more testing, but it's something to go on for now.  Honestly, once this school year started after everyone kept saying just let DS mature, and we worked so hard over the summer but we were in the same position...  I just couldn't see how he was still struggling so much and still behind and knew I couldn't do that for the rest of the school year.  I was on a mission.  And I still feel, even if I'm not confident in the NP, that honestly DS needs the one-on-one instruction or at least a much different instruction than the school provides.  I was a little sad this week thinking about his close friends and how when we moved here I saw all the kids going to school and imagining DS there.  I'm still grieving for that but I know this is what he needs, more than seeing friends. 

 

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Congrats on your great first week!!!  That's so wonderful he's happy to be home.   :hurray:    :hurray:   :hurray:

 

You can buy a separate slantboard to use on the table you already have.  http://www.visualedgesb.com  These are what our OT uses.  The legs collapse, so it's easy to store when you're not using it.

 

Come down to the Cincy convention in the spring and you CAN meet everyone!  People come from all over for it.  Apparently it has become one of the largest in the country!   :)

 

Thanks for the support and the link.  They're out of slant boards temporarily but the quality looks much better than amazon ones.  I hope DS will appreciate being home.  I already had to institute a system like the teacher uses for whining.  We don't have a principal's office but we do have screen time removal!

 

Cincy as in Cincinnati?  How about you all come down here?  Florida Parent Educators Association has a Struggling Learner conference in November in Orlando.  That would be much more convenient for me!  :laugh:

 

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Our OT recommended swimming or martial arts for core strength, so those might be options to consider too if he doesn't end up enjoying the gymnastics. After ds started Tae Kwon Do twice a week, we saw rapid improvement and graduated from OT shortly afterward.

 

Thanks.  DS loves swimming!  But lessons are over for the season.  We can still get to pools occasionally but it's not the same as I usually have DD and need them both to wear floaties so the work out is much less intense.  We tried karate for a week and it was a no go at first.  So if gymnastics is a flop we may bite the bullet and drive all over town for a heated pool for lessons.