We got test results on Tuesday...

[LizzyBee]

DD7 does have dyslexia, i.e. disorder of reading, disorder of written expression, and ADHD - combined type. She also has a working memory deficit, and even though she's made great progress over the last 2 months or so, she still has a severe phonological awareness deficit.

 

DD12 has dyslexia, too, but it's mild. Her reading has been remediated, but she was dx'd with a disorder of written expression. She also has a slow processing speed. We weren't sure if she might have ADHD - inattentive type, but her seeming daydreaminess is actually being caused by her processing speed, not ADD.

 

Ugh. The reports are so thick that they're overwhelming. The EdPsych did a ton of tests on both of them and I appreciate her thoroughness, but now I feel like I have too much info. I need to process this and figure out a plan for moving forward.

[Ottakee]

It is always hard to see that stuff in black and white.

 

I would encourage you to look more at treatment for the ADD/ADHD. If they could attend more, it might really help their processing speed. Another thing, did the doctor see any signs of petit mal seizures? These are little blank out seizures that last only a few seconds and look like daydreaming but really slow down processing speed.

 

If you need something for reading for your 7 year old, I haven't found anything that beats the I See Sam books. http://www.iseesam.com or http://www.roadstoeverywhere.com/3RsPlusRead.html (esp. check the UK link). I have some samples in PDF format if you are interested.

 

For spelling for both girls, I really like Apples and Pears spelling http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm It is from the UK and a bit more costly but very effective and it covers from simple sounds to complex words and dictation.

[LizzyBee]

I didn't know how I would react on Tuesday, but in some ways I felt more relieved than anything. I pretty well had it figured out, but like I told dh, now when I say the girls have dyslexia, I can say it with authority, if that makes any sense. The most discouraging piece of it is dd12's slow processing speed, because there's no treatment for that.

 

I am hoping not to medicate dd7 for ADHD, but the psych gave me a reading list, so I'll get some books and start figuring out what else I can do to help her focus. For reading, we've got to back up and work intensively on the phonological awareness stuff. I ordered the Lindamood Bell LiPS program (psych's recommendation) and it should be here in a few days. I will look at the books you recommended. We were planning to use Barton Reading when dd7 is ready, but I am open to other suggestions.

 

With dd12, petit mal seizures have never been suggested, and I wouldn't have thought of that. But sometimes when she zones out and I say her name, she kind of shakes her head or something, as if I've wakened her. Does that sound like a seizure?

[Ottakee]

I am certainly no expert but my girls' processing speed did improve when we treated the ADD. They also both have seizures and those are treated as well.

 

If you don't want to do meds, at least right now, for 7dd you could check out http://www.omegabrite.com My girls each take 3 capsules per day and they really help. They are not enough for them though.

 

Meds are a big decision but the difference can be very dramatic for some kids and is well worth it. My now 12dd gained 2 years of reading ability in less than 6 months after we started meds for ADHD.

 

The reading program I mentioned is VERY easy to use and cheap. It is about $250 for the complete K-3rd grade reading levels but often you can find the books for sale for about 1/2 that used. Then you can resell them yourself as well. If she can read some, she might not need the first ones and some kids don't need the last 2 sets so that saves money as well. There is a yahoo groupd for the books that is VERY helpful. You get access to many reading specialists from around the world that are using it. The books are also motivating for the kids as there are no drills, no worksheets, no rules to memorize, just little books to read. My 13dd has an IQ of 38 and she is now reading at a mid 2nd grade level with theses already and making progress daily.

 

I would ask the doctor about seizures with your 12dd. An EEG is a very easy test and if it is seizures, the treatment would be different.

[jensway]

I'm glad that you now have a definite answer. I know when you have a hunch/gut feeling how you feel--you kind of go back and forth on whether they have something or not. Once you get the answer you can quit wavering and keep looking forward with ways to help your girls.

[cillakat]

I would encourage you to look more at treatment for the ADD/ADHD. If they could attend more, it might really help their processing speed.

 

2nd. And ime, using meds as part of tx also really helps working memory b/c focus is improved.

 

:)

K

[LizzyBee]

2nd. And ime, using meds as part of tx also really helps working memory b/c focus is improved.

 

:)

K

 

I talked to dh today and we probably will. We are realizing that dd7's attention span is so short that she may not be able to learn without medication.