dysgraphia - Chris

[Guest guest]

Chris--

I'm eating some major crow this week. In the past I've stated on

this list that homework shouldn't be a parent's responsibility to DO--

that it's the child's responsibility. Ahem. I've had to WRITE alot

of 's homework this week, and it's getting worse with each

passing day! Like you, I'm letting him give me the answers,

however... I'm stuck in the kitchen each day for at least ONE HOUR or

MORE with him if I make him write his own work. If *I* write it

(while he dictates), it takes less than 20 minutes and everyone is

happy. has actual PAIN in his hand when he writes. I'm

beginning to rethink my hard position from previous posts. ugh I

feel like everything I've ever known about parenting is going down

the tubes. It feels 'wrong' for me to be writing his homework,

because I know that the more he writes, the more that this group of

muscles in his hand will get strengthened (at least I'm hoping so).

But, he is soooooooo frustrated by writing!!! So, I'm backing off

and letting him dictate. Can you send me more info on dysgraphia? I

really think has this. It's very apparent that SOMETHING

painful is going on with him...

Does your son get OT at school? I think I may have to look into

getting this for . He didn't qualify for it last year, but I'm

going to press harder this year.

Oh, and his handwriting looks like a TWO YEAR OLD wrote it! Like

untreated OCD, it's definitely gotten worse with each passing year.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

I'm still in awe of you-- the single mom of 3 with sooooo much on

your plate! You deserve a break!!! Do you ever get any help?

(((hugs)))

Joni

[Guest guest]

Hi Joni and welcome aboard! LOL

Well, at least CAN do his own work at home. just plain

can't. And he also won't use the computer at home. They let him use

one at school last year but I haven't checked into this year because

he is doing writing at school but I know it's difficult for the

teachers to read. One had to regrade his mult. choice test last week

as she would think the " a " was a " c " , etc. (She should just tell him

to circle the answers - and hates to be different from the

other kids.) And it IS faster and less stressing for us both for me

to just write it.

I know I've read dysgraphia is ANOTHER brain-related disorder.

(Geez, how many are we going to have?) And dysgraphia is actually

more than illegible writing, but I believe that's the only thing that

qualifies for it - the illegible writing (which began when

OCD did!) and the motor skills/awkward pencil grip.

The neurologist who diagnosed the dysgraphia prescribed the OT for

. And then we have the state children's health insurance so

it pays for it. I COULD get it at school too but the 1x week we're

getting is OK.

A couple sites (that you probably found in a search already!) are:

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/writing/dysgraphia.html

and

http://www.home.inreach.com/jdcard/dysgraph.htm

We've been going to the same OT place since around last Dec. They

keep moving the therapists around so we just got another one

('s 3rd). The first 2 gave up on trying to change his grip

and were just working on building up his endurance for writing. This

latest one says he wants to try to change the grip again.

The only relief I get is going to work! You still thinking of

looking for a job??

> Chris--

> I'm eating some major crow this week. In the past I've stated on

> this list that homework shouldn't be a parent's responsibility to

DO--

> that it's the child's responsibility. Ahem. I've had to WRITE

alot

> of 's homework this week, and it's getting worse with each

> passing day! Like you, I'm letting him give me the answers,

> however... I'm stuck in the kitchen each day for at least ONE HOUR

or

> MORE with him if I make him write his own work. If *I* write it

> (while he dictates), it takes less than 20 minutes and everyone is

> happy. has actual PAIN in his hand when he writes. I'm

> beginning to rethink my hard position from previous posts. ugh I

> feel like everything I've ever known about parenting is going down

> the tubes. It feels 'wrong' for me to be writing his homework,

> because I know that the more he writes, the more that this group of

> muscles in his hand will get strengthened (at least I'm hoping

so).

> But, he is soooooooo frustrated by writing!!! So, I'm backing off

> and letting him dictate. Can you send me more info on dysgraphia?

I

> really think has this. It's very apparent that SOMETHING

> painful is going on with him...

> Does your son get OT at school? I think I may have to look into

> getting this for . He didn't qualify for it last year, but

I'm

> going to press harder this year.

> Oh, and his handwriting looks like a TWO YEAR OLD wrote it! Like

> untreated OCD, it's definitely gotten worse with each passing

year.

> Thanks for any info you can provide.

> I'm still in awe of you-- the single mom of 3 with sooooo much on

> your plate! You deserve a break!!! Do you ever get any help?

> (((hugs)))

> Joni