As soon as this happens, I sign to my kids - up, NOW, quiet! (go upstairs and be quiet until I'm off the phone) They know that if they are not quiet during the call, they will be in trouble after the call. They will have to spend no less than 30 minutes in their rooms, and then can't come out until the room is clean. Harsh? Yes. But I find it beyond rude and unless there is an emergency, leave me alone! I'm currently coordinating a team of Drs for my son to see, and the calls are in the 10 minute range, I have a lot to write down, and a lot that needs to be communicated back and forth. Kids are 10 and 6.

Anyone have good recommendations for books about language problems? Specifically expressive language. Without a formal language diagnosis, I don't want to obsess over books for APD, SLD, or language issues in spectrum kids. I've obsessed over SPD, autism, PT issues, asthma, and positive discipline for years. Language is my ds's biggest problem, and I'm pretty mad at myself for not learning more. He has problems expressing himself, getting words out when he's mad (which is frequently), some articulation (for clock he has to "remember" the cl blend so it's a drawn out /clllllll/ock), grammar ("yay we don't have no libarry), refuses to repeat things or accept correction (says astroy consistently for destroy), oral motor, maybe motor planning, doesn't like to answer questions beyond yes or no, and some memory issues. He does not have verbal apraxia. Receptive testing is always much, much higher than expressive. He can follow multi-step directions.

I would try and talk to DH. No one in your community needs to know the diagnosis, but it really help both of you to know your starting base. On the other hand, I'm sure other people have noticed that he may not be typical. I'd get some books about asperger's and autism. I like 1001 great ideas for teaching and raising children with autism spectrum disorders, Ten things every child with autism wishes you knew, and for behavior, Functional behavior assessment for people with autism (downside to this book is that it doesn't talk about behavior intervention plans, but it's still my go to when the kids have a new behavior I need to figure out). For sensory I loke the Out of sync child and the out of sync child has fun. The everything parent's guide to sensory processing disorder is another good one.

We just started listening to song school latin, and we've been watching signing time for over a year. Aspie DD was walking around saying Quid agis? and signing mom and brother. I "caught" my angry ds shaking his tush to the latin cd as well, but he'd never admit it! Then he was on the floor practicing his signs but he kept peeking to make sure no one was watching.

I use dunkin donuts regular beans. I fill the coffee grinder until the silver is covered, and use 4 (coffee) cups of water. My father says the general rule is one rounded tablespoon of coffee (bean or ground, same thing when measuring coffee) to 6oz of water. If using bean, he said you could be over or under-grinding as well.

Watch for dehydration with the vomiting. My DS has had 5 surgeries :( Only vomited after one of them and the nurses kept us hostage in post op until he kept some water down. Glad all went well. Don't beat yourself over waiting.

ANYTHING would be wonderful!!! He's going to be doing cyber school next year so I should be able to work on a lot more (including letting both kids have time to be kids!).

I just checked out callirobics and love what I see! Thank you for that info. She suggested we start with the 4-7 pattern book, but in the beginning to let him use blank, unlined paper. I think I'm going to order it. 2.5 minutes of writing per day should appeal to his never-going-to-sit-and-do-anything boy brain. I can put formal handwriting out of the picture and work on the 4-7 book and then go from there. ETA: We've done years of play-doh letters, sand writing, shaving cream writing, air letters, etc. I think he may have been pushed too early since it was known he was delayed.

My first guess would be constipation.

My ds doesn't have a specific language or reading diagnosis, but he is struggling and hates to read. Do you think this could benefit me?

I posted over in the main forum about my son's language and reading, and from those responses, I have some questions for you guys. I love HWT. DD did amazing with it. DS was on a good start with it. However, now we're at the point where he could be doing something with his writing and it is looking like poop! LOL. He has always tested well in visual tasks. When doing HWT he "refuses" to see the lines! He will not write a letter on the block paper and stay IN THE BOX!!! It is very frustrating. I'm going to hook up my printer shortly and scan what he's capable of vs his typical work. Lowercase r usually looks like a funky v which also resembles f and somehow n! He still puts random capitals in the middle of words. Where does everyone stand with handwriting? Anyone put it on the back burner and work on other types of writing (typing)? Anyone write for their child in areas other than handwriting practice? He is young, only 6, but I know from experience that his errors need to be corrected. For history, my other post is Speech pathologist titled.

I have not done this yet, but am doing it this summer, so I'm not sure of the success we'll have! DD is 10 and is capable of writing nicely. She's lazy and likes to finish quickly (no, I don't tell her she's lazy). This summer I'm going to get her a calligraphy book and a few other artsy writing books. She LOVES anything art related, so I figured if I mix that with a handwriting program that focuses on letter formation (calligraphy), she may by motivated to work harder. Hopefully at the end of the summer I'll have enough "work" to hang around the house to remind her of what she's capable of and maybe keep her motivated for "regular" writing. I hope to find her a calligraphy pen-pal.

When I talk to the comp team, I'm going to ask about audiology. He's only 6 though, isn't that a bit young? I thought APDs can't be accurately diagnosed until at least 7. He's just shy of 6 and a half.

They are adorable!!! Thank you for the link. I will have to show DD in the morning.

Thank you for all of the replies. My eaten post from earlier was that we're not new to issues, just that his issues have not been properly figured out. He was denied early intervention services despite being non-verbal at 2. He's been through a lot. He carries overlapping and not all accurate diagnoses of PDD-NOS, ADHD combined type, SPD, S/L disorder, ODD, some signs of CD, etc. This is a result of Drs not communicating with each other! LOL. He will be having a comprehensive evaluation in a few months and I hope it will shed some light on his true problems. I've had more than one SLP say his picture should be next to APD, while others say he's right on track. One neurologist said he's autistic and he wasn't sure how he could be functioning in school, another say he's fine. I know that his underlying problem will hopefully give a good starting base, my hopes for the video is that someone will see "something" educationally, or at least be able to guide us on the right path to reading. Thank you all again! I will have the video done tomorrow. I will obviously be highlighting his difficulties, but will have some "normal" reading and speaking as well. ETA; Before we moved he did see an optometrist who has a son with autism and adhd, and a daughter with autism. He really seemed to know what he was talking about. Said DS had no problems tracking like he would normally see in Adhd. Said he seemed fine as far as vision. He has also scored fairly well on all evaluations in the visual areas except copying shapes. DS did have problems crossing midline until about 4-4.5.

Have to throw out this example before I forget. DS came up to me, with no prior warning that he was trying to ask me somthing. "Are those pack of tattoos and tacks?" 5 minutes digging into his head and it is translated into- My words here, obviously; The tattoos I got him 3 weeks ago, are they x amount plus tax? Which wasn't even the point of his question. If he does all his chores this week, can he have the tattoos? The tax was relevant when he was paying with his money, which isn't what he was getting at. This is why I'm frustrated being told that his language and reading are on target for a boy his age!

I love Temple Grandin! Both the movie and watching her at conferences.

I wrote out a long reply, then my internet goes out and eats the post! Grrr Thank you for your reply!

I was wondering if anyone here is/was an SLP, a reading teacher, or anything like this? My 6yo son is a struggling reader (best I can put it). He was also very language delayed and still receives sporadic speech therapy; sporadic in that the SLP has been having "problems" getting to him. I wanted to know if someone could watch a video of my son reading and tell me if it seems developmentally normal, or if I am seeing "something"? I'm not sure what that something may be. I feel like it is a language based problem. If anyone is interested in helping me diagnose my son, or ease my worries, please let me know! I'm going to record his reading lesson tomorrow unless he's willing to do more tonight.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I go fairly often. I have tubes in my ears so they need to checked frequently, as well as a few other issues. DD rarely goes to the Dr, but DS makes up for it!

My kids and I lived in a basement for almost 6 years. We now live above ground with windows, and I know how you feel!

Thank you! I have looked at the sticky, but everytime I do, it's missing the one I need. LOL.

Can someone expand on all the abbreviated curicculum? I have a very reluctant, struggling non-reader and would like to look more of these programs/books up. :) Thanks!

I've been considering P90X for a while now, but curious if anyone has done it modified? I have an accessory navicular bone on both feet. In October I hurt my left foot and because of the bone, I've had tendonitis since the injury. I tried watching a lot of videos online, but still can't figure out if I can modify enough to get through it. If it becomes too much for my foot, I could go back to wearing the walking boot, but again, can I do it with the boot? Modifying would just be doing as much as possible either staying solid on my feet, or basic movements. IOW, using a hula hoop hurts and I cut that time down, but I can still walk up and down stairs and on a treadmil without incline. If I exercise "right" it will help my foot to heal. My DD likes to copy everything I do. Is P90X way too much for a 10yo child? If it's in the house, she'll want to do it! I'm not sure I would let her do it as written without knowing more, but it wouldn't hurt her to be more active.