My ds, 10, has difficulty with processing speed as well as working memory and other things but this is what we're doing that has helped. He does interactive metronome weekly with a therapist. This has helped a lot in a variety of different things, especially attention but have notice improvements elsewhere. We of course do nothing timed (except for the metronome, of course). We do encourage play of games such as Dance Party that require him to time his steps with those on the tv. Don't know if it helps but figured that it requires him to at least practice processing quickly. We use Singapore Math for math, AAS for spelling, Logic of English for Cursive. Print is a nightmare so I don't go there anymore. I write for him right now if he needs to write something quickly (such as something for cub scouts). He did vision therapy but not sure if that helped with processing speed. He also sees an OT for fine motor skills and is working on hand strength as well as handwriting. Funny, my son also loves history and science. He would look at books related to these two topics all day if we'd let him, which we often do.

I think it would really depend. My kids both have cousins named Matthew (and they both use their full name) and we always have to sort which Matthew they are talking about but we now say Matthew on mom's side and Matthew on dad's side. My sister named her daughter (who is 2 months younger than my son) a name close to my son's but it was far enough different that it is ok (although I still tease her about copying me). If the kids will know each other well and there is no easy nickname for one or the other than I'd probably not go with it. If you plan on using a nickname that the other doesn't use, then go for it. Two Noahs would be really odd in one family. A Mike and a Michael, probably just fine.

When we did testing I explained that DS was 4th grade if he were in public school or 3rd grade if we would have held him back (he has a summer bday and probably would have done so) and that he's working somewhere between 2nd-4th depending on subject. What they really wanted was where to start so 3rd grade (the grade he would have been if we had put him in PS) but working at a 2nd grade in reading and 3rd grade in math would have been sufficient. They really don't care about science and social studies for the most part unless it is significantly different (for example a kid who may have a strong science understanding and be 4 or 5 grades above).

We use AAS for my son who really thrives with the hands-on. I use it for my dd but the hands-on isn't necessary and if it was just her I was teaching, I would probably use LOE. It is very similar but in workbook form and she loves her workbooks. I would look at reviews of the programs listed above and see how they are taught and match that to your child's learning style. Or if you told us how your child learns best then perhaps someone would have a best probable program for you.

You can also request to be an emergency placement. These are usually 1-7 days and are often late night calls when a worker can't find a longer term placement quickly. They get to know you and know that you're available at the drop of a hat to take a baby so you often have rotating babies. As for short term like months or a year, that does not happen often as Ravin said above. They try to place babies in their probable forever home as early as possible.

We did Harry and David a few years ago to dh's family members. They all have more than everything they could possibly ever want and we give family gifts. Oftentimes, gift cards are just exchanged. We did gift baskets (and received gift cards). I would have rather had those delicious pears! Mmmmm, they are yummy. Anyways, my MIL put H&D pears on her christmas wish list this year. I think it went over well. I agree that the ones at the stores you just pick up are really only good for last minute acquaintance/office type gifts.

Oh yeah. My son is having a string of good days and its sad to say that we're just amazed, thrilled, and waiting for the ball to drop. I haven't seen 3 good days in a row to that boy in two years. *sigh* I have no idea why though. We have started a new system, an idea from his OT, which I think is an idea from the Winner books. He gets a purple stick for every.single.positive/appropriate.thing he does. Everything. And an orange popsicle stick for any inappropriate behavior. On days he gets more purple sticks than orange sticks, he gets a reward such as being able to watch the football game before bed, or going to his class that evening. But I have no idea if that's what's making it work. I do know that if he's tired, hungry, overwhelmed, stressed, watched too much tv or bored he's more likely to act out or can't figure something out. It's like his brain turns off. Usually, if I see its really bad, and a break doesn't fix it, we just pack it in for the day and try again the next. I honestly think that sometimes he is spending so much brain energy dealing with all the above that he really couldn't spell "bob" correctly. Gee, I'm no help but I'll commiserate with you, if that's ok?

If she remembers the freaking out when she wakes up, it is not a night terror. It could be she was having a nightmare but it sounds more like anxiety manifesting itself at night. Any changes lately or has she seemed worried, whiny, clingy or upset more often during the day? I'd make sure she has a regular bedtime routine and maybe some down time right before bed to just sit with her and talk and/or read. See if anything comes of it. Could just be growing pains.

Children's Place has the same pj but in four different boy colors this year and are currently on sale for $10 (at the store); your choice of red, blue, green or pink with snowman on them. http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_-1_946844_697684_26601%7C133201_boy%7Csleep%20&%20underwear_boy The other thing I usually do, as I shop for my son and his boy cousin (and the four girls) is that I will get christmas plaid pants but get them different colors tops, one red and one green for example. Lands End is usually good for this but jcp can be too. Occasionally I will find something at Kohls, as well. All though this year I've had the most trouble ever. I ended up getting the two boys identical pjs.

It depends. Is it an open or closed MRI? If it is closed, most children's hospital do not do a non-sedated MRI with kids under 8. They have to sit still for too long and usually freak out. The more they move, the longer it takes. My son attempted an MRI at 9 and even though he was on a med to help with the anxiety, he still had trouble keeping still and he still cried (although quietly, broke my heart). I'm not a big fan of sedation but I'd definitely do it if had to be a closed MRI (which is probably necessary with what you're having done). Anyone if you google "children's mri" you will come up with a ton of resources to help your child prepare, including videos they can watch with you! The reality is that they will probably take him into a hospital room, bring him some meds to drink or more likely, put in an IV and give him meds through there. Once asleep, they'll take him in and he won't remember a thing. One thing for you to remember is sometimes as they are going under, they freak out. Most kids won't remember anything after taking the meds. They'll just feel/remember falling asleep. It just break your heart though. They also tend to freak out some as they come out of the sedation. Some hospitals won't call you in until after that initial freak-out though so you might not see it. They usually don't remember that freak-out either.

Mine liked Flat Stanley and 39 Clues. I'm considering the Hard Boys next.

Monopoly Chess Sorry

I'm gonna buck trend here and say keep trying. When my nieces and nephew were still babies, I decided that I was going to give the "grandkids" (my parent's grandkids who we see for xmas eve every year) pjs and a book. Decided I didn't care that 1. I would be "that aunt" and 2. that my nieces and nephew wouldn't have a clue what a book was (exaggerating only a little bit). This year the oldest is 10 and she asked me this year what her pjs were going to be. She couldn't wait to open them up this year. It made me feel sooo good. My sister's dislike that I do this every year but the kids seem to look forward to it. The parent may not get it but the kid just might. Its the thought that counts and you never know what you may spark in the little one.

I believe they are calling the patch "Synera". It both numbs and warms. The creams just didn't do it well enough. I think the warming, and the hydration are the keys to finding good veins for draws. My son would usually get three patches, one for each vein that was a possibility, so they didn't have to keep waiting 20 minutes if the first didn't work. Also, only two tries per site. The vein that always looks nice and big and perfect, never works on him. I refuse to let them even try now. It immediately collapses as soon as the needle hits the skin. The one that works best is this teeny tiny one that he has on the top of his hand next to this bone. It's the tiniest little vein but its the one that nearly always gives us bucketfuls of blood.

We were just here a couple weeks ago and yes, if you look at the sidebars, it'll remind you to pronounce for spelling. I tell my kids that it is the way the word is said in England. "Proper English". Not completely correct but it helps them here it in a different accent in their heads when they here me say "idim"(I'm from the midwest), they say "itEm" in a british accent. It's really funny.

My son is a hard stick. When he was in the hospital, there were only two IV Tx Team people that could do it and one was on the helipad team. We had to schedule bloodwork around them. We do all the above; lots of water, heat, and there is a specific vein that I have noted that is our best bet. We also use a special patch but I have not idea what is was called. The last time he was stuck about 3 or 4 years ago, it was still new but it was like a miracle for us.

Butterbraids. Around here, they go like crazy.

I would definitely do the sit on toilet routine and see if that helps. Definitely consider it may be a reaction to your dad. And I'd definitely consider diet. An revised elimination diet might be a good idea. Dairy is a good place to start and then move to the other "highly likelies". Anything he is craving is probably suspect (grains perhaps?) and since halloween just passed, you might consider an overindulgence of sweets even if it hasn't been "that much" even a slight increase can do a number on the tummy. You might consider a probiotic as well or some yogurt with active cultures. Poor kiddo. Hope you find a solution soon!

We also do a small amount of work daily. Ours is math. He is required to do a lesson of math daily as that seems to be the subject he has the most trouble plugging into when he has taken a break.

This. Exactly what my son does. Also, spends time "talking over" or "thinking over" experiences that happened earlier in the day.

Dd got a Target one when she was either 5 or 6. She took good care of it and we told her she could get an AG doll if she saved up for it (we went halfies with her). For her 7th birthday, she had enough money saved up and she and I went to the AG store and did the "birthday package", just she and I. She picked a "just like me" doll. She still loves both the dolls and my MIL makes her outfits so we don't have to buy the crazy, expensive ones. I also tend to buy the Target accessories. She got a clothes cabinet for Christmas last year from the grandparents and I bought her a vanity set at a after Christmas sale for nothing a few years back. The AG store will fix any doll's hair. They did the OG doll from Target (black, curly hair), with no problem. They put it up into a hair do but dd does not touch that dolls hair as it is really hard to play with. She mostly plays with her just like me doll's hair. She changes both of their clothes. The AG store will also replace parts (hair, face, etc) for a fee. So if your 5 year old decides to play hairstylist, you can just have the hair replaced. I didn't want to spend money on replacement so I waited until she was out of the "impulse cutting" stage. :D While we were at the store, someone was having a doll's head replaced because their 5 year old had decided to play "makeup" with permanent markers. Eeck!

Love it! My daughter was Thor this year. Not female version Thor but Thor. She loved it.

I was also going to recommend Costco. My now 8 yr old daughter has received a new book/doll set for several years now. She likes them. The clothes does come off and she swaps them occasionally but they really aren't like barbie dolls. They do make great "little sisters" to barbie dolls though. I like them because she got the books with the dolls and it was really like getting the doll free with purchase of books. When she was little I read the books to her and now she reads them all herself.

Did you see that if Level 1 is too easy you can exchange it for Level 2? http://www.bartonreading.com/levels.html#faq