Do you allow your math student to use a calculator in Saxon Algebra? Why or why not? Thank you! Kim

Thank you all so much. This is really, really helpful to me. I am still figuring out the best way to proceed (clinic vs. school) with assessment but it sure sounds like it is worth the effort based on your experiences. If anyone else is just logging into this and would like to offer your experiences, please do so. Thanks again!

Thank you for the list of questions to consider. I think they will be helpful discussion points as my husband and I think this through. All of your different perspectives are great. I'd love to hear from others who have been through the process or who have chosen not to. Thanks!

Thank you so much! Did your insurance company cover any of the testing expenses? We don't have a gifted school in the area but we live in a University town so I may investigate what options are available at the University. Out of curiousity, any of you, did the testing, diagnosis, and learning process affect your parenting in any way? Did it make you more udnerstanding of things that used to frustrate you? Also, how did the testing, diagnosis, and learning affect your child? Did the diagnosis raise or lower his/her self-esteem? Did they take on more responsibility in light of their diagnosis or did they ever use it as an excuse to stop trying? I really, really appreciate your input. I can't beleive I waited this long to ask for advice. Please keep it coming and others, chime in if you can help! Thanks so much!

Thank you! I suspect my guy may be 2e as well. Can you tell me where you went, what kind of tests were done, what kind of time, money, and other commitment it took to have the testing done, etc.? Part of my interest in getting him tested is that we are looking at transfering him into school part-time at junior high and full-time at high school. I really want him to be successful in school (and in life) so I think I need to start preparing for that transition now. Any information that you are willing to share wiill be appreciated. Thank you, so much!!!

Help. We have a 10 y.o. DS who we have always described as 'quirky'. He has never been in school nor have we ever had developmental, IQ, or psychological testing done. He is quite advanced in his understanding of math and science concepts. He did very well on the Iowa Skills test. Yet, he has great difficulty in anything expressive. He is a 'thinker' but his 'thinking' interferes with his 'doing'. He is frequently lost in his own thoughts and has trouble completing chores, self-cares, and school work if someone is not directing him through every step. He will start a task and the get 'stuck' staring off into space, sometimes for 20 minutes or more if no one catches him. He is remorseful when this happens and keeps telling us he will 'try harder' but it doesn't seem to be getting better. He has terrible trouble falling asleep as night; I think because he can not turn off his brain. He has trouble containing his emotions and picking up on social cues as well. Now that his younger brother is 7, we are seeing our 10 year old's 'quirks' as more than 'quirks'. Our 7 year old has bypassed him in his ability to relate with others, to help out around the house, to work independetly, and to stay on task. It is striking and sometimes frustrating. I am wondering if I have been doing him a disservice by avoiding diagnostic labels and starting to kick myself for dismissing his troubles as 'quirks'. So... my question is: have you had your child tested either by the school system, the medical system, or somewhere else? If so, what was the process like and was it helpful? Is there any reason you would not do the gamut of available diagnostic tests. If there was a development or psychological diagnoses, was it helpful? Did it change how you work with you child? What resources have you found helpful? Please share! I need some guidance. Thank you!

Have you considered Rosetta Stone? It is geared for older students or adults but if you have the time to do it with your child and you have some basic language background it might work. We started it with our son at age 6. I would not recommend it for all 6-year-olds, actually I would not recommend it for many. But... it has worked well for us so far. We took it slow and are just finishing level 1 after 2.5 years. I supplement with reading Spanish picture books, learning Spanish songs and prayers, and a once a week tutor. Anyway, it may be worth looking into. When we lives in MN, we had access to Rosetta Stonw through our local library's web site. Since we moved away, we then purchased the software. It is spendy so if you can get a glimpse of it before purchasing it, I recommend it. Also, my Mother uses the Rosetta Stone on-line course and enjoys signing up for class-times and interacting with other adult learners. I don't think that would work well for a child unless they were to set up a children's class. And, then, it is unlikely that the class would consist of children that are the same style learner as your child. Just my two-cents. Kim

Thanks! Can you give an author or publisher for this? I am not finding "Spanish Fun" on Amazon or Seton.

Thank you Jenn and Roadrunner, Your suggestions look interesting. The Elements of Music that Roadrunner pointed out looks like it might be what we are looking for. A number of the ones Jenn suggested are also at our local library. Yea! I'd love to hear other suggestions if anyone else has more to add. Appreciate it! Kim

My math/engineering minded 3rd grader is curious about the theory of music. We like to read-aloud narrated books rather than texts. Anyone know of a great book of music history that explains music theory and the science of sound?

My brother used to have this problem (he was young, late 20s and 30s). He has since been evaluated for sleep apnea and it changed his life! His daytime drowsiness significantly decreased after getting set up with a machine that keeps his oxygen levels steady at night. While your drowsiness may be due to normal Mommy-style night time wakings, it may be worth checking with your doc. I myself do not have sleep apnea but do get drowsy mid afternoon. I find that doing stretches, pacing, or even standing while doing read-alouds help. It's not quite as snuggly as sitting on the couch but as least I am awake. Another option would be to sit on a kitchen chair while the kids make themselves comfortable. I find that as soon as I hit the couch and make myself comfortable I get drowsy. Just my experience. Hope it helps.