Love how you explain this, Kates. The orientation exercises helped my dd, and the clay worked helped my ds. Every person is unique, and their needs are so very individual... I have seen Davis' work cited by authors working with the vestibular system, as well as by optometrists. Being able to "see" things in the mind's eye was also discussed by the optometrist who treated our son - our ds could do it, but he said he teaches people to visualize things when they can't do it already. Like everything else, you take it or leave it, depending on its usefulness to your situation.

It sounds like she may lack a good sense of where she is in space - the tight clothes, etc., help us know where our "edges" are, in addition to being more tactily secure. Exercise or chores that work her muscles is typically recommended. When she recieved OT, did they treat vestibular issues? How is her balance with her eyes closed? Inadequate processing of movement/vestibular input can result in a lack of a sense of stability and where we are in space, increasing anxiety and phobias. It is not uncommon for people with this issue to have nightmares of falling or near falling disturbing their sleep. Anchoring with another person in the room, the weighted blanket, etc. can make a huge difference. The lycra body sox, lycra swings/hammocks, etc., also help. An uncluttered environment with clear visual demarcations of space also helps, as they'll be more dependent on their visual system. Really don't know if this describes your daughter, but just thought I'd toss it out as a possibility. Hope you have a better day, NCW

Have you looked at the online samples? There are segments in the online samples, etc., to help you determine placement. I started low for success, and am using WWE 2 right now with my 7th grade son. He was having difficulty with summarizing succintly, and this has helped a lot. We are moving at a fast pace through the book, though, usually doing 2 or 3 days worth of work in each day. I expect we'll easily get through WWE 2 and 3 this year. It's so important to remember that we can flex curriculum to meet our learner's needs...one of the beauties of homeschooling!

My oldest liked LoF until she got to higher levels and felt it was really sexist. Didn't ever plan to use it with ds due to all the reading. This year we are using Thinkwell's 7th grade, so that he has lectures online. In early years, we did RightStart through Level E. Singapore didn't have enough explanation for dd for middle school after RS E. We have never tried Saxon. I hope it works for you! NCW

:party:Yay!

I looked over the WriteBrain website, but despite all the narrative I had difficulty discerning exactly what the program covers for $89 for each level. Their idea of learning to read through writing may be very similar to the Writing Road to Reading, or Spell to Write and Read programs. I own and use the Callirobics materials with my son on and off. For a while two years ago we did it every day, during a period when he was balking significantly at handwriting. My son didn't mind doing the exercises, and actually liked the music. He hasn't been complaining about writing lately, so I guess it just fell by the wayside. He does, however, continue to dictate longer papers. One goal this year is to master keyboarding. hths, NCW

We didn't prefer Writing Strands either. My children have both enjoyed Julie Bogart's suggestions in her Bravewriter program. We plan to use it again this year. I have also been using WTM's writing program modified - ds does need help summarizing succintly, but I don't want him to even see the workbook pages - he does all of his work in a regular notebook. We've been at it almost a week now, but are starting Week 4 in the book, as it goes much more quickly at his age. People also love IEW's program. Haven't used it, but often hear rave reviews.

We paid $650 for an initial eval and started treatment in another state; after our move we paid another $750 for a new eval. We can't afford the time (five hours round trip) or the $$ for 18 months of weekly visits - I've ordered the Vision Therapy at Home program and we started it today. Fought with our insurance before the first round, but no luck. The opthalmalogist in town that they covered didn't believe in VT for learning issues - handed out a pamphlet on how vision wasn't related to learning disabilities. good luck!

Donna Young's site is great, but I've also found printable graph papers just by googling for what I'm looking for. RightStart uses 1cm blocks, and has them right on their workbook pages, with smaller sizes for the upper grade levels.

How do you like the Verticity Writing/Grammar vs. Writing With Ease/BraveWriter methods? The approaches look very different to me. Thanks

This may be an off-the-wall suggestion, but you might consider RightStart (or Math-u-See) for mastery lessons with Saxon for review and drill. I know they are completely opposite curriculums, but a local Montessori school a friend sent her children to used a RightStart-like curriculum in school, and sent Saxon worksheets home every night. When we used RS, we allowed use of the abacus to complete problems rather than insisting on memorization. Memorizing facts is important, but getting stuck on it can totally kill any interest in math. I wasn't willing to make that sacrifice. Wishing you the best!

Thank you! Both of these replies are helpful. I just received an email from an OD saying that spelling would be covered in VT if you stick with it until the end. Very interesting...we are developing a plan to deal with unresolved visual issues this fall, anyway.

I would appreciate your insight. We've focused in the past years on reading fluency, but spelling is a current concern. Not successful here: Spelling Workout Spelling Power Sequential Spelling Helped: SWR ABeCeDarian - phonics, haven't done their spelling book yet. Ds couldn't cope with the ABeCeDarian phonics when I tried to introduce it initially. He may be ready now. Apples & Pears -The jury is out on this because we haven't used it long enough to tell (just the last few months of the school year). Options I'm considering for this year: continuing Apples and Pears OR ABeCeDarian Spelling maybe add in review of the SWR flashcards? OR the ($700) Verticity Reading program (covers spelling, phonics, grammar, literature & writing). If don't use Verticity, we would likely continue with Bravewriter or use WWE for writing, Rewards Plus, and begin Lightning Lit 7 for literature (with audiobooks & some dictation, I'm sure) and a sentence diagramming workbook for grammar. Just need someone who's btdt to listen/bounce thoughts off of! We did do the Verticity placement test, and they're very helpful on the phone; said the program was designed to benefit kids with scores like ds's...but the price is daunting, and I'd like to know that it's better than these other options were I to choose it. I guess the question is are ABeCeDarian, SWR, or Apples & Pears based as much on Orton-Gillingham as Verticity? We really need to make more than one grade level of progress in spelling this year. TIA for your opinions.

For further information regarding dominance, and excellent and easy-to-read book is Carla Hannaford's The Dominance Factor. She does not discuss changing dominance (generally frowned on now) but making the most of what your natural tendencies are.

I am not familiar with this test, so can only give info re: other standardized assessments I am familiar with. Generally any standardized test norms are age-grouped, so kids are compared with same-age peers. The 50th percentile rank is typically average, and you can imagine it at the peak of a bell curve. For my kids, I use standardized achievement test scores to reaffirm that I know where their strengths and weaknesses are, and make sure I'm addressing these things when choosing curriculum for the next year. When we're able to use the same test consequtive years, I have a better idea of the progress we've made. Hope that helps, NCW

My dd used to have panic attacks when they did blood draws (needed them frequently - it seemed to us - for a while). It was horrible dealing with impatient lab techs. The more frustrated they got, the worse her fear. It wasn't uncommon that they had to go get someone else to do it, and give her a chance to regroup....and I was there all the time. Calm, soothing, totally competent (and very FAST) staff/nurses were the best, especially when they could chat with her about something completely off topic. All I can say is kudos to you and your daughter for calming herself enough to actually do the tx. That deserves a real pat on the back.:grouphug:

You can find them at Oriental Trading Co called "Shape Changer" http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?mode=Browsing&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&sku=61/9011 (I'd be amazed if that link works). The lycra isn't as heavyweight as the ones in the therapy catalogs, though, but my kids have liked them. LOVE the idea of just buying yardage and tying it off, too. hths, NCW

You've had good responses. FWIW, the Short Sensory Profile is just a screening tool to help determine the need for a more thorough Occupational Therapy evaluation. It is also used in research to measure treatment outcomes. The longer Sensory Profile gives more detailed information, and added to info from parent interview, testing, and clinical observations by the OT to complete a thorough evaluation. The Sensory Profile is only one of a variety of "checklist" type tools OTs use to gain this information...often they have more than one at their disposal, and pick whichever one they decide will best give the information they're looking for. No label of SPD or SID should be made on checklist information alone. Hope that helps! Best of luck on your adventure with your son. It's all about making life easier for him, and hopefully for you and your family as well. NCW

Thank you for posting this. I'm set to visit the middle school with ds on May 7...

Someone had the book for sale on the sale board a couple of months ago - maybe it's still available? Best way, though, is if you can sit in on your child's tx sessions and learn how the therapist individualizes it for your child. While the Alert Program is a framework, it's effectiveness is dependent on being individualized.

It's not a textbook or even a course, but my dd (8th grade) enjoyed reading Am Hist from a British perspective in the Horrible Histories series. Definitely generated some interesting discussions on perspective.

I'm not DaisyMay, but we did ABeCeDarian C before Rewards, and it worked well here.

Oops!

Wow, it seems to me that you are all describing various methods of providing VT that are as individual as the practice or therapist you go to. There is a practice here that advertises sports vision therapy. I spoke with the optometrist who provides the treatment - my impression from her is that the term is just to get people in the door. It's a way to treat vision issues that is socially acceptable and people are willing to pay for it. Once vision is tied to learning issues there's a whole 'nother realm of issues - who will pay, can you really claim to help, etc., etc. Half her caseload were athletes, the other half were people like our children with vision issues affecting learning. She's very new in town, but we're in a very underserved area where the whole idea of visual treatment isn't well accepted. FWIW, I always ask about their training - really want to find ODs who are either board certified in behavioral optometry or a fellow in the college of vision development. I even ask to see their treatment area - look for rocker boards, balance beam, possibly other movement equipment in addition to the suspended ball and an area for seated tasks. You're spending a lot of money - might as well shop around first, if possible.

Sounds like a vestibular issue. Did his earlier treatment target that area specifically?