Dobela Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 My son is 9 and a struggling reader. He also had severe fine motor delays and has been in occupational therapy for those for 2 years now. He has finally made huge gains there and can write his letters and numbers independently and correctly from memory for the first time this year. Printing only. We have not made it to cursive yet. I have been using the Barton system this year for reading, and while helping we are still not making much progress in reading. We tried several other methods in the past. He is starting to describe what is hard about reading. One is that words jump from one line to the next making it all confused. He will lay paper or his hands on the row above and the row below where he is reading to stop the jumping words. He is also still having difficulty distinguishing some letters when he sees them in print. I have noticed that when completing math problems with 2 digits add/subtract 2 digits, he has to start on the right side of the paper and work left. If he does that, he can make 100% every time. He can even work them out in his head without writing and make 100%. If I make him start on the left, he will miss every single one, even if they are the exact same problems he just completed. Something about changing directions so many times in a row just messes with his brain. He also cannot switch between vertical and horizontal problems on the same page without frustration. If I separate them onto separate pages, he can work them without issue. Last year I took him to an opthamologist who said he had better than perfect vision and that there were no eyeball problems. I didn't have him check visual tracking though because I wasn't thinking about it possibly being an issue. I am also concerned that he may truly be dyslexic. He is on a waiting list for academic testing at the only local place that does it independently. He can excell when everything is presented orally. He can actually work above grade level if I do it all orally. When I put anything on paper, he works/struggles on about a 1st grade level. I am looking for ideas and resources that I can use to help him with visual tracking and perception. If you know of any, I would love to have your recommendations. Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetoschool Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Just a little tiny thing I do with a 9 yo girl I am helping - she couldn't read and in her case it was because she was taught using sight reading exclusively, not your sons problem I know, but she ended up with similar symptoms that I am pulling my hair out over. Her eyes are all over the page looking for context clues and pictures and she also has some emotional issues that make it really hard to focus on what she is looking at. So, I use a plain index card, with a rectangle about the size of the print in the book she is reading cut out of the center. She puts it over the writing so the only thing she can see is the word she is trying to read. Then she slides it along as she reads. At first we used arrows to remind her to go from left to right but now it is just a plain card. I will be watching the answers to your question. I have been thinking about posting here looking for suggestions regarding how to help her focus. Like your son, she knows the rules and is very bright, just can't concentrate or focus on the print. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) who has visual processing issues. I took him to an excellent optometrist in Aurora IL if you happen to live int the Midwest. He has been doing a computer based vision therapy program at home, with sessions 5 -6 days a week over a period of several months, and both his reading and his handwriting skills have improved. Prior to starting visual therapy, we also addressed issues related to his vestibular system, under the care and supervision of a HANDLE practitioner at the McNatt Learning Center in Ottawa IL. I taught him cursive handwriting last year as well, which has helped dramatically with letter reversals. He also does his math problems on graph paper , which helps him keep his columns straight, but it has been a long and circuitous path and finding answers has not always been straight forward. I would encourage you to post your message on the special needs board as well; you'll find a wealth of information there to guide you, including assistance from a reading specialist who is a regular poster and many knowledgeable and experienced moms. Edited March 5, 2009 by ELaurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Laurie, Thanks so much for all the information. I am not in IL, but southwest of there a couple of states. I will be reading the links you gave. I also had not realized there was a special needs board. I will cross post there next. ~Dobela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chels~ Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Visual perceptual skill building by critical thinking press is pretty good. http://www.criticalthinking.com/series/047/index_p.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Laurie, Thanks so much for all the information. I am not in IL, but southwest of there a couple of states. I will be reading the links you gave. I also had not realized there was a special needs board. I will cross post there next. ~Dobela You're welcome. Let me know if you have questions :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofabcd Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Instead of an Opthamologist, see a behavioral optometrist. They do a thorough examination of the entire visual system and how it's working with the brain instead of just vision. My dd has perfect vision, but her eyes cross when she reads, her eyes didn't easily focus from one object to another and a couple other things were going on. Once she started vision therapy everything cleared up, except that we are still working on the crossing eyes. Her brain is really fighting this one. :tongue_smilie: Deena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Deena, How did you find a behavorial optometrist? I have never heard of one before. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 http://www.covd.org/ http://www.oepf.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ga girl Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 http://www.covd.org/ http://www.oepf.org/ This made all this difference in the world for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thank you!:D:D:D At the covd site a local OD was listed. I called her office and hopefully she will call me back soon. She only works 2 days a week, and only does vision therapy according to the person answering the phone (she shares an office with another OD). I hope she can see us, and that she is good. The next closest one is over 100 miles away. The other site didn't have anyone even listed in my state. I am feeling some relief coming over me. As well as some hope. I have been so frustrated and worried this school year. My son has been receiving occupational therapy for 2 years now and while it helped tremendously, I feel that we have come to a stand still. Thank you, thank you! PS- If anyone else has anything else that could help us, I would appreciate your adding to the thread. I am here to learn:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofabcd Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Deena, How did you find a behavorial optometrist? I have never heard of one before. ! It looks like you got your question answered:) However, I did a google search for behavioral optometrists in my area. I came to find out that the vision therapist in the office I chose to go to was trained under Dianne Craft, as well as her other credentials. I do have to drive 70 miles, but it has been worth it.;) Deena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reya Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 PS- If anyone else has anything else that could help us, I would appreciate your adding to the thread. I am here to learn:) http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1236316134-1006414&subject=6&category=266 A bit better than the index card with a hole! (Too bad I didn't know in time!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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