OneStepAtATime Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 I tried searching past threads but I can't seem to find what I was looking for. The kids and I are in San Antonio for a few weeks and I enrolled them at the tutoring center here for dyslexics. The tutoring center is working with DS on his sound discrimination glitches and it seems to be going very well. DD has had some issues. She was really getting frustrated. They pulled DD out of Barton and started her with PACE and AST. AST was a terrible fit and they dropped it. Now it is just PACE. Doing just PACE has smoothed out some issues she was having and she is no longer nearly as frustrated. I hope that means this is a good fit and will actually help. They said we should be able to continue Barton once she has done PACE. They said the issues causing Barton to be increasingly challenging for her will be helped with PACE. These people have been nothing but nice and seem really knowledgeable. Its not that I don't trust them. I just would like some feedback. Can anyone share any experiences they have had with PACE? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 I could have sworn someone or several someones had used PACE but when I try searching I get every thread under the sun with the word 'pace' in it. I don't have time to dig through them all. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to narrow the results? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Our VP place does PACE. We never did it (because it was $$$$$, not because it wouldn't have been good), but they have amazing stories of breakthroughs. They used some of the worksheets in dd's VT, and it was powerful stuff, integrating working memory and processing. What your place is saying makes total sense, and it's fabulous that they have both cognitive therapies AND the Barton AND other tools, so they can help you prioritize and sequence like that. I made a controversial decision last fall to stop speech therapy with my ds with apraxia. I only intended it to be for a few months, to allow us to focus on reading, but it turned into 10 months for a variety of reasons, ugh. When we stopped, he could do short sequences with a few words and was having significant issues with discrimination, sequencing, sounds. To me it seemed like she was teaching him what the sounds were in each individual word, rather than teaching him the motor planning. That was just my gut take. Fast forward 10 months, and now that he's back in his leap is ASTONISHING. It even blew the SLP away. He's able to say these LONG SEQUENCES of words and jibberish. He never stumbles over what he's trying to say. It has made her intervention SO much more effective. And what did we do during that time? Lots of focus on working memory, sequencing, midlines, merging motor planning and working memory. Granted our Focus Moves plus digit spans and kinesthetic working memory and games and whatnot aren't exactly the same. I'm just saying when you improve the cognitive skills (the working memory, the processing, that connections in the brain across the midline), it's GOING to bump those other areas. And if they have the experience to say the way they implement PACE will give her bumps that improve her ability to do Barton, I'm guessing it's the case. Btw, the reason our VT place got into PACE years ago was because the lead eye doc's dc was not reading, despite diligent OG instruction. They were one of the original clinics to do PACE, and it got the dc over the hump. So they're not crazy suggesting this. I don't envy what you're paying. :D But I'm SUPER ELATED that you're getting some serious help! Buy yourself smoothies and enjoy this stage! I LOVE getting interventions and taking my kid places. I know that's perverse, because it's not that we want our kids to need interventions or be sort of Munchausen or something. I'm just saying it's so overwhelming trying to figure out certain things yourself, when you finally find someone who seems to have a clue and who has the experience to make it happen, roll with it, enjoy it, be glad for it. I'm so happy for you. :) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 Thanks OhE. This has been so hard for DD. Barton was a HUGE help to DD. And then we hit these snags I just couldn't get her past. This group, unlike any other, knew exactly what I was talking about and have been working diligently over the past week to tweak and adjust tonfind what will actually help. And yhey haven't even charged anything yet. They've been waiting until they see what will work and how long sessions will be. I believe they do care and are knowledgable. But we have been down this road before. Your post is so reassuring. Thank you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 The changes they made in the program did help tremendously. In fact, when I went to pick her up she asked if she could stay to finish. She had done so well that they went ahead and started another section or something. She wanted to finish that next section. She was so enthusiastic. The tutor gave her an extra 15 minutes for free so she could finish. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 You mentioned this is hard for her, and I assume you mean emotionally. (hitting walls, not being able to go forward, getting older) Maybe she could get some counseling or get connected with an adult dyslexic mentor who could speak good things into her? She has you, but this is an age where an outside person can be a boost too. And maybe the tutoring service will try to do that too. I know our VT therapist definitely had a way of getting into dd's brain and influencing how she was thinking, how she accepted and viewed things. But an outside mentor might be helpful too. I was just having a talk with my ds this morning about playful people (the way I'm broaching the ASD topic, not accurate or complete obviously) and he seems to resonate with this idea that there are more people like him. How long will you get to stay at this clinic? Can you stay longer than you had even planned? It sounds like an amazing opportunity... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 The changes they made in the program did help tremendously. In fact, when I went to pick her up she asked if she could stay to finish. She had done so well that they went ahead and started another section or something. She wanted to finish that next section. She was so enthusiastic. The tutor gave her an extra 15 minutes for free so she could finish. OneStep, I'm so thrilled to read this. Yay! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 For various reasons we will be returning home mid August. I am trying to get her counseling. I agree she needs someone besides just me that understands her strengths and struggles. She has friends but they are all high achievers on a standard academic scale. I think it makes her feel selfconscious that she isn't doing a lot of the same things they are. Her tutor is nice and the directors of the program are awesome but her tutor can be a bit annoying at times. She made a statement yesterday to the effect that when DD "gets over her dyslexia" she will be able to function normally. What!? The tutor is newer and still learning about this field. Still, she is doing well implementing the program and the directors check with me and the tutor every day to tweak and monitor. They picked her for DD because she is younger and teens tend to respond better to a peer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 OneStep, I'm so thrilled to read this. Yay! I just wish this place was where we live. She is really struggling with being away from home and her swing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Any chance your dh would just decide to move there? Or is it something where you'll get through PACE and be able to pick back up with Barton using her new skills? Are they using a different reading program that is working better? Different training that you could go ahead and get? I'd probably just mention that comment to the tutor's boss. It's obviously pretty naive. That's rough to struggle with transitions, poor thing. Are you taking her to a park to swing? :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Any chance your dh would just decide to move there? Or is it something where you'll get through PACE and be able to pick back up with Barton using her new skills? Are they using a different reading program that is working better? Different training that you could go ahead and get? I'd probably just mention that comment to the tutor's boss. It's obviously pretty naive. That's rough to struggle with transitions, poor thing. Are you taking her to a park to swing? :) There was a possibility at one point that we might move here. That fell through, at least for the moment. What the directors are hoping to do is solidify some weak areas so that we can return to Barton since it has been working well for her and I can implement it at home more easily than many others. The main director has even offered to skype with us to get us through any additional snags once we return home. She really doesn't want to get another swing. I have offered to drive her to the park but she would prefer not to. For one thing it is a long drive. There are no parks with swings in our area. DH built a sort of swing out of straps for her but it doesn't feel especially stable. She has tried several times but doesn't feel safe. I have tried to find a sturdy cheap swing but goodness swings that can support the weight of a nearly 15 year old are outrageous, even on Craigslist. She says she doesn't feel right about anyone spending additional money, either. She is also missing swinging in our back yard in particular. It is her safe haven. I think the other issue with the park is the lack of shade. It has been close to or over 100 degrees nearly every day. On a side note, I am thrilled with how DS is progressing here. We are both feeling that he will be in much better shape for tackling a reading program when we get home. The directors and I will have a meeting towards the end to determine whether remaining with Barton or switching to something like High Noon might be better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 SKY Chairs: Home of the original hanging chair This can hold an adult. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 We have a generic sky chair off amazon. $30ish. They rock!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 The sky chair looks really cool but it looks like Sky chairs have to attach to something. I don't have a tree that I could attach it to and I would be hesitant to attach it to anything in the house. This is not the sturdiest of abodes. (In fact, DH is convinced that the chimney is about to collapse). Its a really old house. My parents bought it when I was little at a really good price. What they didn't know at the time was that this whole area shifts. There are underground streams that cause the ground to undulate a bit. Me, Mom and Bro worked hard to make it safer and more livable so we could stay here without paying for a hotel (and it needed the work anyway) but it still needs some help. Maybe something to think about for the future, though. Honestly, I want one for me. :) What I had assumed we could do once we got here was find an A frame wooden swing set, maybe even used, and put it up in the backyard. Just anchor it to the ground. Lordy, those things are scarce! And expensive! Everyone sells either the little bitty swing sets for small children or those humongous wooden things with a climbing wall and a fort, etc. Hey, those are great. But not every person on the planet can afford one or has the space for one. Are swing sets truly out of style? Is everyone buying those Swing set McMansions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 It's pricy, but I think there's a stand for the Sky Chair. Or, when you get home, hire a handyman to install it. It takes a swivel and some wood and something sturdy to attach it to. Even my contractor dh got it wrong the first time, oops. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 UPATED: Thought I would update a bit. DD has worked hard to adjust to not having her swing. I actually think this has been a good thing for her. She is realizing she can self soothe without having to swing. In fact, just yesterday DS was asking me if I thought DD was going to need to swing so much or even at all when we return home. I told him I didn't know. The changes they have made to DD's tutoring program have been great. She is much happier and so am I. We will see how that translates once we get home but the tutoring center can Skype if we run into snags. DD seems happy, she likes her tutor, and she feels like she is getting things. I do wish she had DS's tutor instead, but honestly once I talked things out with her tutor and the directors, they bent over backwards to address my concerns and to find a better fit for DD regarding materials and our goals. I am so impressed with these people. They really care. And they still haven't asked me to pay anything. I know the bill is coming (and it won't be cheap) but they are waiting to see if we need to make any more adjustments to the program (like we have already cut down hours because it was proving too much for DD to be in intense one on one tutoring daily for 2-3 hours a day). For DS, this has absolutely been the best thing ever. He is whipping through everything they throw at him. His tutor is fantastic. She adapts rapidly and as soon as he hits a snag with any sort of sound discrimination issue she has something to help him make the connections and get him over the hump. He seems really happy to be there and is definitely making progress in ways he just wasn't with me. She thinks once we return home we won't be running into the same kind of snags we did before. She talked to me a few days ago, though, and made it abundantly clear that while he should continue to work some on remediation each day, his intellectual needs must be fed on a daily basis. She says he is one of the brightest students she has ever tutored and he is going to shut down if he doesn't have more advanced material to work with. She suggested we make a contract to work on remediation maybe 1 hour each day and the rest of the time allow him to pursue interests at his intellectual level (more like High School or College material). His handwriting is still weak, but his typing is really good now, so with the help of Ginger and Inspiration and Dragon Speak I am hoping that will provide the scaffolding he needs to write. I just need to work harder at getting those systems integrated into our daily routine. On a side note, DS is now programming mods in Minecraft by using the Youth Digital Self-Paced class. He LOOOOOOOVES this. And can get help from the teachers when he needs it. He is whipping through the lessons and is so happy. Am I still worried about tackling High School and Middle School with my kids in the Fall? Yes. And will probably be dropping in for advice on a regular basis. But I think at least some of the issues we were snagging on have been addressed effectively and this tutoring group is just a Skype session away if we hit another wall. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 That's awesome!!!! :party: :party: I can't remember. You're pursuing an OT eval for your dd for that swinging stuff? It would be good to get to the bottom of that and have them help her both get to a better place (there might be some glitches they could work on) give her some more socially acceptable ways to meet her needs. OTs are huge on that at this age. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 I could have sworn someone or several someones had used PACE but when I try searching I get every thread under the sun with the word 'pace' in it. I don't have time to dig through them all. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to narrow the results? In case this comes up again, I found this thread on PACE: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/496311-what-does-learningrx-mean-by-visual-processing/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 That's awesome!!!! :party: :party: I can't remember. You're pursuing an OT eval for your dd for that swinging stuff? It would be good to get to the bottom of that and have them help her both get to a better place (there might be some glitches they could work on) give her some more socially acceptable ways to meet her needs. OTs are huge on that at this age. Actually, at this point, we were considering OT for DS but had not been pursuing it for DD. She has phenomenal coordination, both fine and gross motor. She just seems to need rhythmic movement to help her think. DS has coordination issues that DD just never has had. He still needs training wheels on his bike, for instance, but she never did. Not even the first day. But I may not fully understand OT. Perhaps there is something OT could help DD with that I am missing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 In case this comes up again, I found this thread on PACE: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/496311-what-does-learningrx-mean-by-visual-processing/ Thanks CW! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Awesome follow-up!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 I am glad it is helping your son with his glitches. I know you have been concerned about that for a while. Sounds like it is going so well! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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