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Pegs

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Posts posted by Pegs

    Ease off or ramp it up?

    in Accelerated Learner Board

    Posted

    It looks like you have a decent little collection of things to try. I think an Etsy shop could be heaps of fun, and A need not be without a project at any given moment.

     

    I'm getting the feeling that maybe you'll be switching focus from academics to mental health for a little while. Lots of chill-out time with crochet, movies, game plays on YouTube, podcasts, 'cello, piano, good books.

     

    Add some maths and some writing to be done each day or week, whichever suits A better, and you've still got yourself a wholesome, stimulating, unschooly kinda set-up.

    • Like 3

    Ease off or ramp it up?

    in Accelerated Learner Board

    Posted

    Have you asked your DD what she thinks she needs, Chooky? From what I know of her, she's pretty insightful.

     

    Does she want bare bones lessons and more time to pursue her own interests (piano, crochet, etc.)? Does she need a lot of time doing things which soothe her?

     

    Or does she want more stimulating lessons - more challenge?

     

    Or a new instrument? *cough 'cello cough* I spent a good many hours with my arms wrapped around an instrument at that age.

     

    How does she spend her time when you're not doing lessons? Is she able to keep herself occupied when she has free time, or is she a bit lost and uninspired?

    • Like 1

    Can we have a "what does your 3rd grader do" thread? :)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Pegs

    Just for perks, what does your 2nd grade male narration look like? :D

    Here are a few oral narrations I've written in DS' science notebook:

     

    "All mammals have warm blood. They also breathe oxygen."

     

    "Bacteria were among the first living organisms on Earth. They come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Some of them can photosynthesise!"

     

    "The most dangerous type of avalanche is called a slab avalanche. They are usually triggered by changes in the weather."

     

    Eta: these are all from the first half of second grade.

    • Like 1

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    It's a shame I'm so far away down here in Australia, but thanks for sharing the link. Others may find it helpful. :)

     

    I've found a chiropractor with knowledge of retained reflexes and a special interest in paediatric neurology and learning difficulties. I'm hopeful. We'll see what comes of it.

    • Like 2

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    Same here, MistyMountain. We don't have refusal to participate or hiding under chairs in any other setting.

     

    I'm glad to hear that things are improving for your kid now that reflexes are integrated. I'm really hopeful that this will be the case for my DS too.

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    It's the autism and the anxiety and the retained reflexes. That whole mix with a professional who's not seen all that in one kid - that was just too much.

     

    I told VT that OT had recommended kinesiology, and that we'll address reflexes first then get back to her.

    • Like 2

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    I think the VT is out of her depth with this kid. When I took him in on Wednesday, he was open to learning new exercises which didn't hurt, but somehow, somewhere, his conversation with the VT went awry, and then: under chairs. Flat out refusal.

     

    So now I'm a bit annoyed that it's been thrown back on me. I got him to the appointment and supported him in communicating his grievances to the VT. And for whatever reason, she wasn't really able to engage him.

     

    And I just want to add - flat out refusal is not normal for DS. He's actually a pretty cooperative kid when he's not stressed. The VT was just TOO MUCH and he is able to communicate this. I'm proud of him for that, yk?

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    I'm erring on the side of suspending VT sessions until we find a kinesiologist to integrate reflexes first.

     

    DS doesn't want vision therapy to involve exercising any other body parts, so reflexes stuff integrated into VT just isn't going to work for him.

     

    The glasses have already improved his reading stamina, so at least there's that. He's getting a kindle paperwhite for his birthday next month, so I'll be able to adjust font size and spacing and make reading as comfortable as possible for now.

    • Like 1

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    Okay, so VT forwarded me a message from the optometrist, basically encouraging us to continue with them. Offered to make up the session when he was hiding under chairs and not participating in any therapy.

     

    DS is *very* reluctant, but he has budged a little.

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    We saw an OT once, and she was the person who referred us on to the developmental optometrist. I've emailed her asking for anyone local who might work on reflexes with us before we return to VT.

     

    I also messaged the VT asking pretty much the same thing.

     

    I've found a list of kinesiologists with RR knowledge, so I guess if I don't get a word of mouth recommendation, I'll just start cold-calling.

    OT wrote back and said to try a kinesiologist.

     

    Onward!

    • Like 1

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    We saw an OT once, and she was the person who referred us on to the developmental optometrist. I've emailed her asking for anyone local who might work on reflexes with us before we return to VT.

     

    I also messaged the VT asking pretty much the same thing.

     

    I've found a list of kinesiologists with RR knowledge, so I guess if I don't get a word of mouth recommendation, I'll just start cold-calling.

    • Like 1

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted · Edited by Pegs

    I haven't tried starfish or any others on him, because I felt it was best to just back WAY off. Now I'm wondering about working on reflexes completely separately from VT. I was really hopeful that she'd be able to take care of all of it, but oh well. Sigh.

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted

    Today's session was an epic fail. DS was teary as he described to the VT how difficult the exercises were for him, and then went and hid under some chairs in the waiting room.

     

    I actually don't know whether I'll be able to get him back there.

     

    Starting to look into other ways to address his reflexes (myofascial release is now on the list of possibilities - thanks kbutton), and maybe we can try VT again later with fewer physiological barriers in the way.

     

    I just don't know.

    Vision therapy

    in Special Needs Board

    Posted · Edited by Pegs

    We're taking today off homework and seeing the VT again tomorrow.

     

    I've told DS that VT didn't know the exercises would hurt him, and that neither of us want him to be in pain or uncomfortable. He understands, and is open to going back and trying different exercises.

     

    Backing off was definitely a way forward, in this case.

     

    Thanks OhE for your support in backing right off and pulling the kid gloves on. I don't think I've ever really identified as a special needs parent, but it's becoming clearer to me that I have a pretty special kid.

    • Like 3
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