We live in SE South Carolina...can anyone recommend a pysc to do dyslexia/LD evaluation for diagnosis and plan? Thanks!

My favorite books have been by Dr. Kenneth Bock...Healing the New Childhood Epedemic~the 4 A's... AND 'Healing ADD/ADHD' by Dr. Daniel Amen. Very good...as a family of adhd'ers :) we not only learned alot about how our bodies respond and function differently and what we can do to be operating at our best...but since applying alot of the recommendations we have experienced some great changes in our overall well-being (alot of our symptoms are balanced and/or at low status) plus lot of helps as far as dealing with discipline and family life, etc. I got both from the library (amongst many others)...these became keepers! Hope you find some good resources!

We are schooling too! only in the 3 r's...we'll pick up the rest in the fall when homeschool co-op starts back up. We can't afford the set back either...you're not alone! Just want to add that I frequent breaks throughout the year though as needed :)...that has worked out good for us.

I was going to use Sonlight's guide (and may still here and there to change things up a bit...) but my son insisted on using Abeka's reading program which he used in second grade while in school and he thoroughly enjoyed and made great strides in his reading progress. I appreciate the lesson plan to keep me focused, the comprehensive nature of the reading program (fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, etc), and that I can trust the content to be safe and leveled. I was able to get most all at very reasonable prices on Ebay.

three months=one session...she said he would need 3 sessions...each session was $1300...plus cost of gas for 4 hr commute once a week...and the cost of care for other children. It's overwhelming. The home software cost $150 but I just don't see how home software would help...if it did/does then that totally disqualifies or devalues the cost of in-house therapy imo. And why insurance companies don't get their act together and help with this need is irritating! He clearly has visual processing issues with text but not graphic/pictorial images/information. He also has binocular vision issues...focus, eye teaming. Why or how this relates to the big picture of his issues I really don't have a clear understanding of this based on his overall assessment report. I just know that I had visiual processing problems as a child w/o VT (don't know the specific issues but I feel that he may be alot like me) and that they were certainly developmental in nature. Although I had to work hard for good grades, was a terrible tester, and I am still a very auditory reader which quatifies me as a slow reader, the issues seemed to clear up by 7th grade. I suppose I error on the side of what's familiar so I started looking into ways to teach despite the developmental lag. This just poses challenges in making my choices.

OhElizabeth... on the website for Excellence in Spelling, they recommend AAS if your student isn't ready for EIS... This is confusing to me? I can see how EIS would be extremely beneficial for atleast my first ds for many reasons but primarily because I do think he is highly auditory and does have visual challenges. However, I am not familiar enough with either program to see how they compliment eachother...either back to back or simultaneously... It has been recommended that DS #1 have VT but we got sketchy feedback that led us to not feel comfortable with the office and pursuing therapy. There is another office 2 hrs away, and I know many drive the distance...we just haven't been a position to do so or justify the massive involved expenses (~5k...maybe more if he needs more then 3 sessions). He did get glasses for mild farsighted vision. I feel our options are limited.

Thanks Babette! You gave some new things to look into for some good reasons :)! I am also looking into teaching textbooks for the independence of it and they liked working the demo. How did CLE aid in him memorizng his facts? My second guy does need help w/ that too! He stuggles in his classroom on the speed drill tests via Abeka. I have looked into CLE since he also seems to like the structure of traditional textbook ( and he did not like mus). Thanks again!

Looking at cirriculum for next year and I need to tweek things!!! Right now I am researching language arts...more specifically spelling, handwriting, grammer. :bigear: If you have any insight...please share!!! I find 3rd party input very valuable! Here is my observation... ds10 has not made much improvement this year using what we have been using (it is mnemonic in nature and just didn't seem to give him enough structure). I gave him a pretest today and noticed that he missed 8 out of 20 on a 3rd grade spelling list from A Reason For Spelling (which puts him in that book if I chose it). The 8 that were wrong were all spelled somewhat phonetically here are some examples: able: abell, sudden: suden, north: nouth, began: begain...didn't use correct phonegram rule, most he should know). He also answers quickly and his strategy was clear as he sounded out by syllable as he was writing. I would place him also reading at a grade 3 level~slow, laborous though. He also has dysgraphic type qualities to his print so handwriting instruction is valuable but he'll baulk at anything too labor intensive. I am transitioning ds9 from school to homeschool next year. He is currently in 2nd grade and was retained in Kinder. He has done Abeka Spelling this year, performing at a mid-low B grade. I have noticed with him that he is strong visually but bombs (totally) the auditory phonics exams that he gets from his teacher. I gave him the same pretest and he missed 5 out of 20...those he got wrong did not seem to follow a pattern...here are his examples...sudden: subenlye, open: oopen, busy: disey, hello: hellow (he did flip b-d in both sudden and busy...ooh...just saw it...I think he was visualizing suddenly to try and help...:glare:). I found his errors to be rather random in nature. He was slow and laborous as he wrote his answers (erasing alot until he was happy with his answer and I think he tends to error on the side of a perfectionist/ocd type). I questioned him about his strategy and he said that he relies on visual elimination to determine the spelling (not his exact wording :001_smile:). He is reading well 3 grade level, fluency has progressed throughout the school year at a steady pace. They are so very different and oh so interesting :tongue_smilie:, I really want to use the same program with them as to make my life easier and interestingly they seem to be working in this area at the same level but at different degrees. I am looking for something that isn't too teacher intensive (if it doesn't have to be) as I also have a pair of younger generation to teach who needs mostly 1-1 instruction, and I like how ARS integrates the words into handwriting and reading selections...so this approach is appealing to me. I have noticed that rote spelling instruction is benign in real life application of spelling for the boys so a program that integrates all is appealing to me. Lastly, something with structure will keep us all on track. Any suggestions???? THANK YOU!!!

We use Barlean's Cod Liver, you can read more about their product and it's specs on their website http://www.barleans.com/fish-oil.asp I purchase it at our local health food store. I am very happy with the product and I put a tsp. in a little oj and we drink it right up. I am using it to treat add/adhd behaviors and learning disabilities. I also use multi-vit's and a gluten-free, casein-free and artificial free diet. I can't say which intervention particularly has helped more then the other but I can tell you that since changing our diet lifestyle and w/ nutritional supplemention that we have seen dramatic improvements.

I just wanted to add....mainly so that you don't drive yourself crazy analzying...there really isn't a set profile when it comes to a spectrum disorder. There are characteristics but that is why autism is followed with the word spectrum....there are lots of characteristics and depending on which ones and to what degree they manifest will determine where the kids fall on the spectrum. There is a huge sliding scale from profound autism all the way down to borderline adhd. Kids in the spectrum don't typically fit a mold which is why diagnosis by good qualified doctors is a great thing to do. Also, yes...the brain is complex and many LD's/processing disorders carry many of the same characteristics...again getting good eval's are so important in sifting through it all. You guys are certainly on the right track! Needless to say, getting evals will only help lead you to the specific strengths and weaknesses he has and what specifically will best help him and build him. Hang in there!!! :grouphug:

I was grinding my teeth...during the day only...while in college. Defenitely anxiety related but also I am a hyper oral sensative person. I didn't see how old your son is but I do know that the SLP recommended bite sticks for my dd and my first thought was..."wow, I needed those in college when I would get all tense and grind my teeth!...or shoot I need them now when I bite my nails" Funny thing is that I mainly bite my nails while I drive which was mainly when I would grind my teeth. My dad bites straws...which is also terrible. I suppose the moral of the story is to look for some healthier or better alternatives...like the bite straws (I beleive they won't do the damage that regular straws do). Music has a real affect on me. It had to be a calm sing-songy type...like some types of country (which I had never listened to in my life at that time), folk or...think elevator type music. However my dh claims heavy metal calms him :glare:...so I suppose you'll have to test it out a bit. As an adult I like Contemporary Christian for me and the kids...I do think music is very therapeutic for us.

LizzyBee----when you get a chance, I PM'ed you on getting some info. on where you all went. :001_smile:

I am a huge bio junkie :D ...I have officially read way too much about fixing this stuff from the inside out! lol! I'll share briefly...hope to help... Me, my kids, my sister, her kids, my dad, my grandmother, my aunt, ..........ummmm...the list could go on....are genetically wired to be in "the spectrum" which only means that if we let ourselves go (and get toxic) then we manifest anxiety, depression, GI issues, acne, learning issues, hyperactivity, etc. When NOT toxic overloaded.......these symptoms are in remission. I live it. I see my symptoms wax and wane...truth of the matter is that I am at my worst when I am not paying attention to my diet. Anxiety is a symptom. Medications that treat anxiety are only a band-aid...they don't fix or correct the root that is causing the anxiety to manifest. Neither does "talking" through this type of anxiety...huh? :confused:...I am not trying to belittle therapy...I have benefited from therapy...it just depends on the situation (again...where's it stemming...is it situational or systemic in nature?). A few months ago I read a book called "Healing the New Childhood Epidemic (autism, adhd, allergies, asthma) by Dr. Kenneth Bock. I highly recommend it. IMO, it is one of the best books to help you understand how to nail this is the head and heal the bodies imbalances. It is not going to speak over your head and it is written in an easy to read style. This book will help educate you from start to finish. Also, I recommend changing out his supplements too. Just make sure you go with a whole food organic one. This should help guarantee that you aren't getting something with a bunch of junk in it that he may be reacting to. My boys (9 and 10) have done well with one by Nature's Plus (it's a cherry swallow) and a lemon flavored Cod Liver Oil that I mix in a little OJ (Cod Liver...then you get the Vit D too) I use Barlean's...it's super fresh and very pure (with no metals, etc.). Neither are overly expensive and are good choices. Garden of Life also makes a great product, I have used it but haven't started the kids. I do like the Family Vit Code though (has coq10 too which is helpful in these kids). For a specific blend for adhd look at Vaxa Internationl's "Attend"...EXCELLENT supplement!!! FYI this is in addition to the other two. I think they also have one called "Calm" which may be more anxiety targeted...but if you go to the website you can look around...easy to navigate and they do have alot of educational peices on the site. Anyways, hope this gives some ideas. Sorry if I overwhelmed you in anyway...so not my intent here...I just have a passion to bring awareness. Not only have we personally been so helped by doing the things that actually "treat" and heal the root imbalances in the body...but I am also a nurse by trade and well this just makes me a natural health evangalist :tongue_smilie:. I will pray for you little guy tonight! I hope you all have a peaceful day tomorrow :grouphug:.

I feel ya! In fact, I was just coming to the forum to get a boost following the blow up with my ds. :( You mentioned you are a church attender...the only encouragement I can give is to seek the Lord by spending time in the Word of God and in prayer. My ds knows the Lord so that is where I lead him when his behavior and heart does not line up. I give him time to talk to the Lord, I tell him to ask the Lord to lead him to scripture (he just uses his Bible but you could probably find a daily scripture for kids type devotion or program), then to journal, usually he draws but he is working lately on a song :), and then him and I talk about it which offers a great opportunity for teaching. Start this during times that she is not tantruming so that her spirit is open. "...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaketh" Mt 12:34b. Knowing then that what's in his heart will overflow out his mouth...my goal is to fill his heart with the Word of God. I am not saying that counsel or therapy isn't warranted when needed but this daily part of time with the Lord gives room for the Holy Spirit to change and counsel (our #1 choice, 1 Kings 22:5). My ds once blessed me with a letter (during "an episode") and he put a scripture at the bottom for me...interestingly he didn't even read it, just opened looked down, pointed a finger, and copied...the scripture was Proverbs 31:31, "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate". Our hard work and dedication can FEEL redundant, frustrating, unrecognized, and tiring...may you be encouraged that it is not! You are a great, loving mother seeking the best for your child! May the Lord bless you as your persevere! :grouphug:

How did you know to pursue this particular diagnosis? I find it very interesting that the stats of having the extra chromosome are so high yet only 25% are actually diagnosed. I found some info relating to adults but not much so much to children.