I am so sorry -- I made a mistake in describing the Learning Breakthrough program. On the dvd, there are 5 exercise sequences TOTAL for Weeks 1-6 -- so you go through the 5 sequences, and then you start over doing the same 5 sequences again. Same thing for Weeks 7-12. So, there are only 10 TOTAL on the dvd. I was thinking Week 1 had 5 sequences; then you progressed to Week 2, which had a different 5 sequences, etc. etc. (so like 60 different exercise sequences). As I was thinking about it, I could not figure out then, why the child would be so bored, so I checked again. I have revised my entry to reflect what I believe to be the correct information.

I had asked here about a program called "Learning Breakthrough" which is the balametrics program. I have not personally used this program, but thought I would tell you what I found out, in case it is helpful. "Learning Breakthrough" is the old program with a new DVD and manual. The dvd has 5 exercise sequences for Weeks 1-6 and 5 exercise sequences for Weeks 7-12 (10 total). The book has additional exercises described that you can do on week-ends, or after the 12 weeks. If your child is young, or has significant problems with a particular week, you can do the week over. You are supposed to do the exercises twice a day, every day, for at least three months, but many suggest a year. One exercise session was described to me. It involves using the balance board (I believe most if not all sessions do). The balance board has multiple settings and as you go along and achieve better balance, you can increase the difficulty of the board (make it more wobbly). The session had the child standing on the balance board (actually there is a man on the dvd), and he was throwing and catching a bean bag -- using both hands, one hand, etc., and following with his eyes. You need a pretty good space to do this (I believe the company suggests a 6x6 area), where you can set up the balance board, and there needs to be a hook in the ceiling where you can hang a rope with a soft ball on the end. Other exercises had you batting the ball, following it with your eyes, etc. This program is supposedly the basic for a program called Dore, which is bigger in England than here -- which costs thousands of dollars -- though the Dore program includes evaluations and purports to individualize the program. And the Dore program does last a year or more. I found one person who had actually used the program. She said her child initially liked the program, but they had to take a break after about six weeks because her child was ill. Trying to get him back to do the exercises after that was impossible for her, and so she gave up. She said that you really need to have 20 minutes in the morning, and she was not homeschooling, and so those 20 minutes just made the morning a nightmare. If you are home all day, however, it would be much, much easier. I found two others who had bought the program, and ended up not using it after they had bought it. One said the old book was very confusing, and she never could really get the hang of what she was supposed to be doing. The other said she left all the equipment in the box (you evidently need to do some assembly on the balance board, etc.) and eventually just moved on to another program that seemed, as she put it, "more concete." (I think what she meant was that after actually seeing the program, she could not see how this program would benefit her child, who was having mostly reading and attention issues -- her child did have some coordination issues too, but she wasn't sure devoting this much time every day was the best use of her time.) I am still considering it, but the fact that two of the people spent $3-400 and then basically left it in the box, is pretty concerning to me. I would be very interested in what you decide. (What issues are you working on?) Our situation is a little different in that programs of this nature don't seem to be in our area much. No NeuroNet, no Learning RX, etc. I just had my daughter evaluated. I haven't received the report yet, but her primary issue is verbal apraxia (poor speech articulation). She has decent (average) expressive and receptive skills. I was also told she seemed to be a visual learner, though I was also told that she did not seem to have auditory processing issues (we've already worked on those). She does have some coordination issues -- she is not the most graceful child, and has trouble doing things like running while kicking a ball (soccer), or skipping rope (especially when others are controlling the rope). So I thought that Learning Breakthrough might be a good fit. But I am not convinced that this is a program my daughter would enjoy, and I am concerned about us sticking with it.

I had posted under another thread that this program is now available. I was wondering if anyone has seen the kit and/or actually used the kit. If so, any opinions on it would be so very appreciated. Thanks for any information!

If you go to http://www.linguisystems.com, this company has books and games that teach pragmatics. A friend of mine had the game FriendZee (not sure of the spelling), and really liked it because it taught the necessary skills, but it was a "game" so her child would actually "work" on it without complaining.

She was in OT for quite a while, and finally "graduated" out of it. Mostly, they worked on fine motor, along with exercises to help the low tone. I had been looking at the "Learning Breakthrough" program, thinking that might help her, and had also considered therapeutic horseback riding (our OT had suggested the later as a good activity for her). I have looked at the book you mentioned, but I guess not enough to realize there were different types. Regarding the math, I honestly haven't tried much of anything with her yet. As her diagnosed issues were mostly auditory processing and speech articulation, I have been focusing mostly on those two areas. I did the LiPS program with her before kindergarten, and she is now a pretty good reader, and reads a lot on her own -- though I do notice some issues with reading comprehension, so I am thinking that might be the core issue. I know Lindamood has a reading comprehension program (Visualizing and Verbalizing) and there is a home version of it put out by another company (Ideachain), but I was thinking I should try to remediate more broadly first with some type of cognitive processing program. I am wondering -- if one had the opportunity to choose between Brainskills and CogCal -- does anyone have an opinion on which program would be best? Also, has anyone heard of a computer program call "Brainware Safari?" I found it while trying to find information on CogCal and Brainskills.

My daughter has verbal apraxia. Along with this, she also has had some fine motor issues (handwriting, etc) which have been remediated to a large extent by OT. I still notice some small problems, but she was "dismissed" from OT. She has had some minor "low tone" which has also been mostly remediated. She has had overall educational testing. Basically, she has average IQ (over 100 -- higher non-verbal than verbal). She tested low for auditory processing, and so we worked with The Listening Program and Fast ForWord -- post testing showed very good gains. She is still less than graceful, and has some gross motor issues -- it was hard for her to learn to ride her two-wheeler and to skip rope -- that sort of thing. She reads above grade level, and does great on spelling. She is good at understanding what she is supposed to be doing, and can explain exactly what she is supposed to do. However, when left to work independently, often the work just doesn't get done. I am confused because if I sit with her, she can then do the work -- even if I don't help her! (However, sometimes, she works along just fine, even though the house is in chaos!) The only academic area where she struggles is math. She has memorized her facts fine, but struggles understanding any type of word problem. No one has ever suggested vision therapy to me before. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Claire, I did contact Dr. Stephey. He emailed me that his program is available now by calling 626-332-4510. It is $225 plus shipping. I am strongly considering the purchase -- though I do love it when others have had positive experience with a product before I try it. I hope it is OK to post this information. BTW, this is a cognitive type program, right -- not vision therapy, per se (honestly, I do not know what vision therapy is).

Claire, I tried to do an internet search for the Cognitive Calisthenics program, but couldn't find a thing! Can you tell me where I can find more info? Could you elaborate on why you think this will be a good program? I actually have Audiblox and had used it for about 10 weeks earlier (about two years ago actually). Then she started Fast ForWord, and it became difficult to keep both programs going as the Audiblox was no longer unique and interesting, and the Fast ForWord was quite time consuming. I suppose I could pull it out again,, but was actually thinking there would be a program that was at a bit of a higher level. As I said, I thought Brainskills would be that program, but that is obviously just not supposed to be. Thank you for all of your helpful information. You are so informed about all these programs!!

Claire, Thank you so very, very much! This is exactly what I was looking for! I have been unable to find either Learning RX or PACE in my area (they are both with professional providers, right?) Do you have any other "next best" suggestions? Do you have any information on NACD?

I have completed some therapies with my daughter, but she is still having some issues. I have had evaluations, and have had some conflicting advice regarding how to proceed. I believe I read (somewhere) on this forum advice on how to proceed; that is, which therapies should be started first, followed by other therapies, and then finalized with academic tutoring, I believe. If anyone knows this hierarchy, could you please post it again (examples of any relevant programs in each category would be very helpful as well). I would also be interested in any therapies you have found particularly successful. We have already begun ST, and have finished OT, The Listening Program, and Fast ForWord. My daughter is 7 years old. Thank you very much.

I just wanted to note: You can buy the On Cloud Nine book separately for much less (around $50?). It is easier having all the materials right there, but many are things you can buy separately on the website, can pick up at a teacher's store (or even a Dollar Store), or make yourself. I haven't tried the program yet, but did get the book, and I think I am going to try it. I used the LiPS program from them to teach my child to read. She has a lot of articulation issues, and so I was quite concerned that she wouldn't be able to read well. But the LiPS program helped with articulation, and she is now a great reader! So, I would, in general, highly recommend the Lindamood Bell programs. (If your daughter is in second grade, however, she is probably already reading, though.)

We did "The Listening Program" followed by Fast ForWord Language and Language to Reading for auditory processing issues. We are doing Earobics soon. I understand that if the auditory processing issues are mild, you might be able to skip the Fast ForWord step which is the most expensive step. I had heard good things about Brain Skills and wanted to try with my daughter, but wanted to wait until she was at least 7 years old. By the time I went to look for it again, it was unavailable! There is no Learning RX in our area. I did find one PACE provider, but her schedule was just not workable for us. I assume that the home Brain Skills program is gone for good?

She has had an evaluation. They told me that she didn't qualify for gross motor -- but she is definitely less than graceful. I am thinking there might be some dyspraxia working there. She has had private OT both for oral motor and fine motor. I believe she also has some attention issues, not related to her auditory processing. (For instance, she will start something, but not finish, yet be able to tell you in detail exactly what she was supposed to do -- and it isn't that she doesn't understand the material.) I had read that Learning Breakthrough was the basis for the Dore program, which I don't know much about, but is very expensive and is all over the net proclaiming success with all types of learning disorders.

My understanding is that the program's dvd and manual have been revised such that the child can now follow while watching the dvd. It is supposed to be much more user-friendly, but the basic program remains the same. My child is 7 years old. Her actual diagnosis is verbal apraxia. She has had some auditory processing issues, remediated with The Listening Program, followed by Fast ForWord Language and Fast ForWord Language to Reading.

Earobics is good for auditory processing. However, it might be difficult for your child to start with that program. We began with a program called "The Listening Program." This is only listening -- the child doesn't have to do anything (except listen) at this point. You can purchase this online, through rmlearning.com. We then did Fast ForWord Language and Language to Reading -- but these must be done through providers, and are quite expensive. We are "finishing up" with Earobics. If your child's issues are mild, Earobics might be the way to go. If it seems too hard, you might try The Listening Program, and then follow with Earobics.

I am trying to find someone who has actually had their child try this program. It is a physical program, based on Dr. Belgau's balance board. It has been compared to the Dore program, and is supposedly helpful for ADD and other learning issues.