Kathleen in VA Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I posted a paragraph ds15 wrote today on the High School Writing Workshop board. Anyone want to take a look and let me know what you think? This is the son I posted about a week or so ago who had anesthesia for surgery when he was 2 weeks old and I'm worried about his language skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 If you have been long concerned that he has LDs, why not get him tested? That would put the matter to rest. I don't think any of us reading that paragraph can give you much one way or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I think the paragraph was delightful. He clearly has a good vocabulary and a sense of humor. He seems to have done exactly what the assignment asked him to do. My son is quirky and it looks like something he would have written a couple of years ago. He's worked hard and matured, and writes very well now. What about the paragraph makes you concerned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Nothing in this example worries me in particular, but I also don't think this assignment is going to show holes in the writing of a high school student. It's an elementary assignment, really. Basically, I think his work is just fine in context of the assignment. I don't think it shows any inherent problems with language, and I think it does show a grasp of the basics of writing. As far as deciding if he is "on level" with writing, or has particular issues to address, I think a different assignment would be needed. Has he done longer assignments, or is this the norm with his program? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 If you have been long concerned that he has LDs, why not get him tested? That would put the matter to rest. I don't think any of us reading that paragraph can give you much one way or the other. I haven't had him tested because I really don't know where to start. I checked our health insurance policy and it doesn't cover that sort of thing so I don't know what to do next. We can't afford to spend a lot of money on specialists, so I've been trying to educate myself and have read tons of library books - particularly about late speech and following directions. I'm pretty sure he has some sort of auditory processing disorder. I'm not as concerned with getting an actual diagnosis as just finding ways to help him cope and learn. I think the paragraph was delightful. He clearly has a good vocabulary and a sense of humor. He seems to have done exactly what the assignment asked him to do. My son is quirky and it looks like something he would have written a couple of years ago. He's worked hard and matured, and writes very well now. What about the paragraph makes you concerned? Nothing makes me concerned, really. It's just that I haven't got anything to compare it to - I have no idea what 9th grade writing looks like. Nothing in this example worries me in particular, but I also don't think this assignment is going to show holes in the writing of a high school student. It's an elementary assignment, really. Basically, I think his work is just fine in context of the assignment. I don't think it shows any inherent problems with language, and I think it does show a grasp of the basics of writing. As far as deciding if he is "on level" with writing, or has particular issues to address, I think a different assignment would be needed. Has he done longer assignments, or is this the norm with his program? Yes, I kind of knew it was an easier assignment. I had my 5th grade students (when I taught in ps) do the same assignment. Format Writing starts with paragraphs. I had ds work through the High School Killgallon grammar book first so he could learn to write more interesting sentences. We are working through the first part of Format Writing now and it goes on later to teach different types of essays and, I think, one research paper. After that, I plan to work through The Elegant Essay and Fairview's Guide to Compositions. This paragraph is really just the beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I haven't had him tested because I really don't know where to start. I checked our health insurance policy and it doesn't cover that sort of thing so I don't know what to do next. We can't afford to spend a lot of money on specialists, so I've been trying to educate myself and have read tons of library books - particularly about late speech and following directions. I'm pretty sure he has some sort of auditory processing disorder. I'm not as concerned with getting an actual diagnosis as just finding ways to help him cope and learn. Please visit the SN board - that's what it's there for :). The ladies there may have ideas for you. I'd be thinking along the lines of seeing an SLP for language evaluations, and/or an audiologist for auditory processing. Ultimately, you may want to consider that NOW is the time to build the paper trail for potentially getting accommodations on the SAT/ACT. Don't wait until it's time to take the tests. That may involve some sort of neuropsych testing - I'm not sure exactly - but I think it's an important possibility to keep in your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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