Hi there, Most reviews for the Adventurous Mailbox cultural book box series are a few years old (when it debuted). Now that it's been out for awhile, does anyone have thoughts they care to share about it, particularly in regards to the workbooks available in the Teacher's Lounge? While it seems like something my story-loving 8yo son would like, we've done several subscription services before and they haven't really held interest. And this isn't really a subscription service so we'd have to buy the entire first series. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! ~ Heidi

Has anyone gone to a Jurassic Quest show in 2016? I know the show has gone through an overhaul this year and was wondering if it's worth the time and money. My 8yo son and I would need to stay in a hotel for 2 nights to make the trip. There are a lot of negative, older Yelp reviews and then some newer, more positive ones on some review sites. But those newer review sites look a bit suspicious. If the exhibits are worn and broken down and the whole thing is utter chaos, please save me the time and money. And if your kids had a great time, that would be helpful to know, too. Thanks! ~ Heidi

If you have the pediatrician referral and can afford it, I would say get the genetic testing done. Your DD sounds very similar to my 7yo DS, with the slouching, weak grip and fidgeting. And he always fell in the normal physical testing ranges, as well. He was diagnosed with dyspraxia (and SPD) at 2.5 and he was 5 and had been in hippotherapy (horses) for a year already when his therapist suggested he get a full muscular workup as he didn't appear to be gaining any strength or tone. (And hippotherapy was on top of his weekly occupational therapy and gymnastics!) The testing results showed a gene duplication associated with Charcot Marie Tooth disease which affects his hands and feet and is fairly common. And explains so much of what we see from him physically. In terms of treatment, we wouldn't have done anything differently than what we had already been doing so in that regard, testing didn't help, per se. But just having a solid explanation has been beneficial in many ways. And insurance covered most of the test cost which would hopefully be the case for you. If anything, it might put some worries to rest, particularly if the results come back negative from whatever broad gene duplications/deletions they test for. I will add that our son's team at the children's hospital recommended we move to physical therapy in the water (aquatic therapy) and he's finally got a tiny bit of muscle and a bit more stamina (but not much change for grip strength). And one of those large exercise balls. Now he just sits on it, lays on it, bounces on it, rolls around on it and I see the improvement in his core. Obviously, not being a medical doctor or neurologist or anything like that, I'm not saying this is your DD's problem. What are the chances?! But I almost set aside the therapist's recommendation for the original workup (and subsequent genetic testing) because I get so tired of dealing with all of this stuff. And I'm very glad I did it anyway.

Hi there, My 4yo son has been in OT for 1.5 years for dyspraxia and related sensory processing issues. I'm starting to think about schooling and, while I believe schooling in the home is the way to go for us, I was hoping some of you might be willing to share your experiences of putting a dyspraxic child (of any age) in a public/private school setting before you decided to homeschool. Thanks so much for your time! ~ Heidi