Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, You are a real hero. I applaud you. Your children are very lucky to have you on their side. We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the same way as other kids? Because its hard work to help them learn and we would rather that they fail then spend the money. No parent should have to pay this amount of money for testing! Its ridiculous! And no parent should be accused of abuse for trying to advocate for a child. Laurel OT--dyslexia-- To all who responded to this post, My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a 3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade words and the 4th grader couldn't. I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time flies when you are having fun. In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland Clinic also. Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are taught how to teach these children. This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. Debbie R. ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, You are a real hero. I applaud you. Your children are very lucky to have you on their side. We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the same way as other kids? Because its hard work to help them learn and we would rather that they fail then spend the money. No parent should have to pay this amount of money for testing! Its ridiculous! And no parent should be accused of abuse for trying to advocate for a child. Laurel OT--dyslexia-- To all who responded to this post, My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a 3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade words and the 4th grader couldn't. I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time flies when you are having fun. In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland Clinic also. Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are taught how to teach these children. This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. Debbie R. ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, You are a real hero. I applaud you. Your children are very lucky to have you on their side. We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the same way as other kids? Because its hard work to help them learn and we would rather that they fail then spend the money. No parent should have to pay this amount of money for testing! Its ridiculous! And no parent should be accused of abuse for trying to advocate for a child. Laurel OT--dyslexia-- To all who responded to this post, My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a 3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade words and the 4th grader couldn't. I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time flies when you are having fun. In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland Clinic also. Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are taught how to teach these children. This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. Debbie R. ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, Your story is inspirational to all of us! The one thing you left out is the part about your children being happy and well educated now. Lets see...your older daughter must be readying for college if it was 7 years ago? I bet she's a joy to you! Do finish the story for us, please! Terry > > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 08:17:26 -0700 > To: <graves_support > > Subject: OT--dyslexia-- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, Your story is inspirational to all of us! The one thing you left out is the part about your children being happy and well educated now. Lets see...your older daughter must be readying for college if it was 7 years ago? I bet she's a joy to you! Do finish the story for us, please! Terry > > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 08:17:26 -0700 > To: <graves_support > > Subject: OT--dyslexia-- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, Your story is inspirational to all of us! The one thing you left out is the part about your children being happy and well educated now. Lets see...your older daughter must be readying for college if it was 7 years ago? I bet she's a joy to you! Do finish the story for us, please! Terry > > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 08:17:26 -0700 > To: <graves_support > > Subject: OT--dyslexia-- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie - Thanks so much for sharing this story with me. There is a lot of good info for me to think about. My brother was born " special " so we're very familiar with the whole special education program in Ohio schools. And you're absolutely right, dyslexia and similar learning disabilities are not " special education " students. I can very well imagine your disappointment when the school suggested that's where your daughter should be. My brother got his high school degree, but he functions at about a 6th grade level both in reading skills and mentality. But that's better than we ever thought possible from him. My son is almost 8 now and he has better reasoning skills than his 30 year old uncle. So we are pretty certain that whatever difficulty my son has (assuming he has one and I'm not just the paranoid parent the school thinks I am) is something with the way he learns. The more I work with him at home, the more odd things I see him do that make me even more sure that there is something different about the way his brain works. He is very definitely right handed, but it's like he does everything backwards. He's learning to tie shoes and he does all the motions backward from the way " righties " do it. I've never seen a left handed person do simple tasks like this, but I wonder if that's the way they do it, too. He'll make the first loop with the right lace and hold it with the right hand, then wrap the left lace around with his left hand going from the back to the front. Which is just about opposite from the way I've always seen people tie their shoes. Seems a simple variation (I can't even do it, it makes my brain hurt!) but it's kind of symptomatic of the way he does a lot of things. Like writing for example. Most people start with the top of the letter and go down. He starts from the bottom and goes up. Or when you make a lower case " b " , he starts from the top of the circle, goes around to the right and down and then up to form the straight line of the letter. His reading teacher said that is sometimes and indicator of a learning disability because their brain works differently. I'd like to work with him at home a lot this summer. I'm afraid he'll lose all the progress he's made in the last few months if I don't. One of the teachers is doing tutoring this summer, but it's going to be way too expensive for us, especially with no income currently - $20 / hour! Since you are very familiar with home schooling, Debbie, are there programs to do summer study at home? Can you get the curriculum materials for the school year and do them in the summer? Do you know what I mean? Can you only get them if you are an " official " home school student? How did you even get started? I'm not sure who I would even call to find out these things in our area. I know that they have an excellent home school program here in Iowa, but I don't know through what channels one goes. Everything you have said makes me think this is a great idea and just what he needs, especially for summer. I'd hate to home school him permanently, 'cuz I'm afraid I'd never get anything accomplished with his baby brother and sister home, too! He'd really be behind then! And his sister is going to kindergarten at his school next year and he's looking forward to that. Plus, he's always been a shy kid and is one who really need the social interaction. He has changed so much since we started him a year later in kindergarten. He's gone from a painfully shy person to an outgoing leader in his class. That would have _never_ have happened had I kept him home. I'm going to check out that dyslexia site and see if I can contact that Orton society. I have heard of them before, but didn't know if they could help me any since we don't even know for sure if there is a problem yet. Your story about your 2nd grader spelling better than your 4th grader is so what I'm worried about happening here. Our daughter is 4.5 and will be in kindergarten next year. She was an extremely early talker (like your older daughter) and she just really " gets " the whole language an reading thing. She was learned all her sounds in preschool and her brother was trying to practice his 1st grade spelling words. The word was " sled " and as our son was desperately trying to sound it out, his sister promptly picked out the sounds and said " S-L-E-D " . Our son's jaw just dropped when we said that was correct. We were getting worried that she would read before he did, but all of a sudden he started to be able to put the sounds together and read some simple sentences. They are already so competitive, I think he'd be crushed if she read better than he did. Since she is so much better with language, the age gap between them seems much less than the 3 years it is. How did your older daughter deal with her sister being a better speller, etc. than she was? Was there anything you found that lessened the competition or helped her to not feel demoralized? We've tried stressing that everybody has different talents. He's much better at math concepts than she is, so we've tried to point out things like that. I think your story really reinforces the fears I have about what I don't want to happen. I don't want to be told 3 or 4 years from now that he's got a problem and that he's failing. If there's something wrong, I want it deal with it now, when it's maybe more easy to correct. The school seems content to take a wait and see approach until he's in like 3rd grade, and then tell me he's got a problem with reading. Duh! I think we know that already. Why are we waiting until it's a huge problem? OK, Debbie, now you've got me all charged up and I want to roll some heads and get action! I'll have to make some calls and see if I can get any further with some of these questions. I so appreciate your information. I know he can learn it, I'm just not sure I know how to _teach_ it. I need someone to show me how to show him to read for his brain to understand it! Thanks again for sharing this. It really does make me feel better knowing that there are people like you and your daughter who have overcome difficulties such as this and one on to be successful students! OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie - Thanks so much for sharing this story with me. There is a lot of good info for me to think about. My brother was born " special " so we're very familiar with the whole special education program in Ohio schools. And you're absolutely right, dyslexia and similar learning disabilities are not " special education " students. I can very well imagine your disappointment when the school suggested that's where your daughter should be. My brother got his high school degree, but he functions at about a 6th grade level both in reading skills and mentality. But that's better than we ever thought possible from him. My son is almost 8 now and he has better reasoning skills than his 30 year old uncle. So we are pretty certain that whatever difficulty my son has (assuming he has one and I'm not just the paranoid parent the school thinks I am) is something with the way he learns. The more I work with him at home, the more odd things I see him do that make me even more sure that there is something different about the way his brain works. He is very definitely right handed, but it's like he does everything backwards. He's learning to tie shoes and he does all the motions backward from the way " righties " do it. I've never seen a left handed person do simple tasks like this, but I wonder if that's the way they do it, too. He'll make the first loop with the right lace and hold it with the right hand, then wrap the left lace around with his left hand going from the back to the front. Which is just about opposite from the way I've always seen people tie their shoes. Seems a simple variation (I can't even do it, it makes my brain hurt!) but it's kind of symptomatic of the way he does a lot of things. Like writing for example. Most people start with the top of the letter and go down. He starts from the bottom and goes up. Or when you make a lower case " b " , he starts from the top of the circle, goes around to the right and down and then up to form the straight line of the letter. His reading teacher said that is sometimes and indicator of a learning disability because their brain works differently. I'd like to work with him at home a lot this summer. I'm afraid he'll lose all the progress he's made in the last few months if I don't. One of the teachers is doing tutoring this summer, but it's going to be way too expensive for us, especially with no income currently - $20 / hour! Since you are very familiar with home schooling, Debbie, are there programs to do summer study at home? Can you get the curriculum materials for the school year and do them in the summer? Do you know what I mean? Can you only get them if you are an " official " home school student? How did you even get started? I'm not sure who I would even call to find out these things in our area. I know that they have an excellent home school program here in Iowa, but I don't know through what channels one goes. Everything you have said makes me think this is a great idea and just what he needs, especially for summer. I'd hate to home school him permanently, 'cuz I'm afraid I'd never get anything accomplished with his baby brother and sister home, too! He'd really be behind then! And his sister is going to kindergarten at his school next year and he's looking forward to that. Plus, he's always been a shy kid and is one who really need the social interaction. He has changed so much since we started him a year later in kindergarten. He's gone from a painfully shy person to an outgoing leader in his class. That would have _never_ have happened had I kept him home. I'm going to check out that dyslexia site and see if I can contact that Orton society. I have heard of them before, but didn't know if they could help me any since we don't even know for sure if there is a problem yet. Your story about your 2nd grader spelling better than your 4th grader is so what I'm worried about happening here. Our daughter is 4.5 and will be in kindergarten next year. She was an extremely early talker (like your older daughter) and she just really " gets " the whole language an reading thing. She was learned all her sounds in preschool and her brother was trying to practice his 1st grade spelling words. The word was " sled " and as our son was desperately trying to sound it out, his sister promptly picked out the sounds and said " S-L-E-D " . Our son's jaw just dropped when we said that was correct. We were getting worried that she would read before he did, but all of a sudden he started to be able to put the sounds together and read some simple sentences. They are already so competitive, I think he'd be crushed if she read better than he did. Since she is so much better with language, the age gap between them seems much less than the 3 years it is. How did your older daughter deal with her sister being a better speller, etc. than she was? Was there anything you found that lessened the competition or helped her to not feel demoralized? We've tried stressing that everybody has different talents. He's much better at math concepts than she is, so we've tried to point out things like that. I think your story really reinforces the fears I have about what I don't want to happen. I don't want to be told 3 or 4 years from now that he's got a problem and that he's failing. If there's something wrong, I want it deal with it now, when it's maybe more easy to correct. The school seems content to take a wait and see approach until he's in like 3rd grade, and then tell me he's got a problem with reading. Duh! I think we know that already. Why are we waiting until it's a huge problem? OK, Debbie, now you've got me all charged up and I want to roll some heads and get action! I'll have to make some calls and see if I can get any further with some of these questions. I so appreciate your information. I know he can learn it, I'm just not sure I know how to _teach_ it. I need someone to show me how to show him to read for his brain to understand it! Thanks again for sharing this. It really does make me feel better knowing that there are people like you and your daughter who have overcome difficulties such as this and one on to be successful students! OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 HI , Debbie & everyone one else who,posted on this topic I know this is OT but I am amazed at the number of us who share this experience. I am glad to know that it is just not in type UK that schools can be obstructive. My son didn't speak till he was 3 & when he first started school he learned to read any book by the look & say method. When he had to use other ways of reading like breaking down the syllables he just stopped. He didn't do anything in school till he was 9 when he had a teacher who recognised his problem. He told me dyslexia was political in the school. He advised me to take to have a special test for colour/contrast sensitivity which showed he had Irlen syndrome. Some people are helped by using tinted lenses are overlays but that didn't help him. At this stage I had got the SEN to get him some help. He was taken out of class almost every day to practice spieling & to learn to write his letters the right way round. After 1 year he got his letters ok but not the spelling - he would get them all right with the teacher & forget them within minutes. In the end I took him to the dyslexia Institute in London to see an educational psychologist.It cost me £300. It was worth it - she said he was severely dyslexic, very clever & I should get him specialist help. She said he could be an engineer or an architect- I think he will be an engineer - he thinks in 3D & has played with Lego from a very young age. Aftyer the assessment he staerted to write for the first time. The school bought in a specila teacher for 1/2 hr per week for 18 months & he did very well inhis tests at the end of primary scholl. I moved house so he could go to the Secondary School he is in now. The teachers are great - he gets some support in lessons & they have just agreed to withdraw him from French once a week for dyslexia tuition. He has settled really well. He alos gets some private tuition and did start a cousre we have in ther UK called Touch Type Read & spell - a touch typing programme which helps with spelling. I made a decision to support him at home but not to teach him - I think we would be very angry with each other aall the time if I did this. Also his school is goiung to trial a new method of helping dyslexic children by giving them exercises to improve coordination. I will get more details this week. I am not sure if it will help - his coordination isn't too bad. He is much more confident at writing but his spelling is a scream. He likes Maths, Craft design & technology bui is glad not to do French - he can understand it ok but can't write it. His self esteem can be very low at times & that's the hardest thing to deal with now. I am happy to carry this discussion on off list - or does anyone know of a support group? Take care OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 HI , Debbie & everyone one else who,posted on this topic I know this is OT but I am amazed at the number of us who share this experience. I am glad to know that it is just not in type UK that schools can be obstructive. My son didn't speak till he was 3 & when he first started school he learned to read any book by the look & say method. When he had to use other ways of reading like breaking down the syllables he just stopped. He didn't do anything in school till he was 9 when he had a teacher who recognised his problem. He told me dyslexia was political in the school. He advised me to take to have a special test for colour/contrast sensitivity which showed he had Irlen syndrome. Some people are helped by using tinted lenses are overlays but that didn't help him. At this stage I had got the SEN to get him some help. He was taken out of class almost every day to practice spieling & to learn to write his letters the right way round. After 1 year he got his letters ok but not the spelling - he would get them all right with the teacher & forget them within minutes. In the end I took him to the dyslexia Institute in London to see an educational psychologist.It cost me £300. It was worth it - she said he was severely dyslexic, very clever & I should get him specialist help. She said he could be an engineer or an architect- I think he will be an engineer - he thinks in 3D & has played with Lego from a very young age. Aftyer the assessment he staerted to write for the first time. The school bought in a specila teacher for 1/2 hr per week for 18 months & he did very well inhis tests at the end of primary scholl. I moved house so he could go to the Secondary School he is in now. The teachers are great - he gets some support in lessons & they have just agreed to withdraw him from French once a week for dyslexia tuition. He has settled really well. He alos gets some private tuition and did start a cousre we have in ther UK called Touch Type Read & spell - a touch typing programme which helps with spelling. I made a decision to support him at home but not to teach him - I think we would be very angry with each other aall the time if I did this. Also his school is goiung to trial a new method of helping dyslexic children by giving them exercises to improve coordination. I will get more details this week. I am not sure if it will help - his coordination isn't too bad. He is much more confident at writing but his spelling is a scream. He likes Maths, Craft design & technology bui is glad not to do French - he can understand it ok but can't write it. His self esteem can be very low at times & that's the hardest thing to deal with now. I am happy to carry this discussion on off list - or does anyone know of a support group? Take care OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 HI , Debbie & everyone one else who,posted on this topic I know this is OT but I am amazed at the number of us who share this experience. I am glad to know that it is just not in type UK that schools can be obstructive. My son didn't speak till he was 3 & when he first started school he learned to read any book by the look & say method. When he had to use other ways of reading like breaking down the syllables he just stopped. He didn't do anything in school till he was 9 when he had a teacher who recognised his problem. He told me dyslexia was political in the school. He advised me to take to have a special test for colour/contrast sensitivity which showed he had Irlen syndrome. Some people are helped by using tinted lenses are overlays but that didn't help him. At this stage I had got the SEN to get him some help. He was taken out of class almost every day to practice spieling & to learn to write his letters the right way round. After 1 year he got his letters ok but not the spelling - he would get them all right with the teacher & forget them within minutes. In the end I took him to the dyslexia Institute in London to see an educational psychologist.It cost me £300. It was worth it - she said he was severely dyslexic, very clever & I should get him specialist help. She said he could be an engineer or an architect- I think he will be an engineer - he thinks in 3D & has played with Lego from a very young age. Aftyer the assessment he staerted to write for the first time. The school bought in a specila teacher for 1/2 hr per week for 18 months & he did very well inhis tests at the end of primary scholl. I moved house so he could go to the Secondary School he is in now. The teachers are great - he gets some support in lessons & they have just agreed to withdraw him from French once a week for dyslexia tuition. He has settled really well. He alos gets some private tuition and did start a cousre we have in ther UK called Touch Type Read & spell - a touch typing programme which helps with spelling. I made a decision to support him at home but not to teach him - I think we would be very angry with each other aall the time if I did this. Also his school is goiung to trial a new method of helping dyslexic children by giving them exercises to improve coordination. I will get more details this week. I am not sure if it will help - his coordination isn't too bad. He is much more confident at writing but his spelling is a scream. He likes Maths, Craft design & technology bui is glad not to do French - he can understand it ok but can't write it. His self esteem can be very low at times & that's the hardest thing to deal with now. I am happy to carry this discussion on off list - or does anyone know of a support group? Take care OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie and , Ok my turn for confession. I really got interested in kids and brains when my exquisite, bright, love-of-my-life baby girl was failing second grade. She too, was a lefty and couldn't tie her shoes. We had her tested and it turned out that she was terrified that something was wrong because things didn't move quickly enough for her. She always hated being regimented. Once she understood that her difference was not a bad thing, she did do better, receiving the biggest scholarship her school in Ohio ever gave to that time. She was able to attend American U in Washington D.C. for less cost than if she went locally (again scholarships) and finished her Masters' a few years ago. She is now doing some fairly prestigious things for a 25 year old (like having lunch with the Secretary General of the UN) and is planning to attend law school in a year or so. Second child diagnosed hyperactive. Baloney. She was just different and still is. We need different damn it! Third child still struggling with being himself. Too many messages to which he fails to conform. On the other hand he influences people to practice peace and has nearly wiped out sexism, racism, and homophobia in his corner of the world. Your children, in fact all children, are gifts. They are our future. I used to get really upset that there was no resource for kids that are unusual. Its the unusual ones that become the innovators. The ones slightly out of step or that way because their brains are working on problems that others ignore. We need them so much. So why do we have to teach them all as though they were clones? When will the system begin to deal with the kids that we really need as a species? I'm cheering you both on. With all my heart. Laurel Re: OT--dyslexia-- Laurel, Thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I am a hero. All I wanted was for my bright child to be what she wanted to be and to get the education she deserved. When I look back at the teachers I had in school I only wish there were more like them today. Don't get me wrong there are lots but my dads wife who is a school teacher said a lot issues are based on the school board of the district and she claims this is where the problems is. She has become a tester and evaluatates the homeschool students in our area. Teachers didn't embarrass their students, they helped when needed whether before or after school. The teachers always told us when I was in school during the 60s and 70s that we have to be to school at a certain time each morning anyways. My oldest wants to be a professional firefighter/paramedic and she will be excellent as one being she has such a great memory. She has spent her first year as a Jr. Firefighter and not bragging but we've heard from several people that the chief of our dept. is very impressed with her memory of things on the truck and her calmness. She even talks to the ones that get excited to calm down, take a deep breath. Jrs. are more or less gophers to learn the trucks, how to run them and watch what the ones fighting the fire does. Because of the way she talks calmly to patients on EMT calls she was asked to answer the calls by the chief, which Jrs. usually aren't allowed to go on. As you can tell I am very proud of her and my other two. The youngest daughter would like to be an ER doctor, so if your reading . But, being 14 that could change. Something I found out this year that homeschoolers can test through some universities and being given a diploma depending on the test scores for their high school diploma. So, my proudest moment will be when I can hand the diploma to her, knowing I was a big part of her education. I guess because sometimes I regret I didn't get my education when I was young. Instead I worked all the time, made money and went on vacation twice a year. With jobs the way they are to today, you need a good education just to survive. After 27 yrs. in the excavating business, 31 in being a volunteer firefighter my husband has decided to go to school for EMT-basic and maybe paramedic. He said he needs a back up for his career. > > We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a > difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a > child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, > unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the > same way as other kids? I guess I never thought of it that way either. No, we wouldn't let a child go to school without glasses or a hearing aid. Better go I will talk your ear off. Debbie R. ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie and , Ok my turn for confession. I really got interested in kids and brains when my exquisite, bright, love-of-my-life baby girl was failing second grade. She too, was a lefty and couldn't tie her shoes. We had her tested and it turned out that she was terrified that something was wrong because things didn't move quickly enough for her. She always hated being regimented. Once she understood that her difference was not a bad thing, she did do better, receiving the biggest scholarship her school in Ohio ever gave to that time. She was able to attend American U in Washington D.C. for less cost than if she went locally (again scholarships) and finished her Masters' a few years ago. She is now doing some fairly prestigious things for a 25 year old (like having lunch with the Secretary General of the UN) and is planning to attend law school in a year or so. Second child diagnosed hyperactive. Baloney. She was just different and still is. We need different damn it! Third child still struggling with being himself. Too many messages to which he fails to conform. On the other hand he influences people to practice peace and has nearly wiped out sexism, racism, and homophobia in his corner of the world. Your children, in fact all children, are gifts. They are our future. I used to get really upset that there was no resource for kids that are unusual. Its the unusual ones that become the innovators. The ones slightly out of step or that way because their brains are working on problems that others ignore. We need them so much. So why do we have to teach them all as though they were clones? When will the system begin to deal with the kids that we really need as a species? I'm cheering you both on. With all my heart. Laurel Re: OT--dyslexia-- Laurel, Thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I am a hero. All I wanted was for my bright child to be what she wanted to be and to get the education she deserved. When I look back at the teachers I had in school I only wish there were more like them today. Don't get me wrong there are lots but my dads wife who is a school teacher said a lot issues are based on the school board of the district and she claims this is where the problems is. She has become a tester and evaluatates the homeschool students in our area. Teachers didn't embarrass their students, they helped when needed whether before or after school. The teachers always told us when I was in school during the 60s and 70s that we have to be to school at a certain time each morning anyways. My oldest wants to be a professional firefighter/paramedic and she will be excellent as one being she has such a great memory. She has spent her first year as a Jr. Firefighter and not bragging but we've heard from several people that the chief of our dept. is very impressed with her memory of things on the truck and her calmness. She even talks to the ones that get excited to calm down, take a deep breath. Jrs. are more or less gophers to learn the trucks, how to run them and watch what the ones fighting the fire does. Because of the way she talks calmly to patients on EMT calls she was asked to answer the calls by the chief, which Jrs. usually aren't allowed to go on. As you can tell I am very proud of her and my other two. The youngest daughter would like to be an ER doctor, so if your reading . But, being 14 that could change. Something I found out this year that homeschoolers can test through some universities and being given a diploma depending on the test scores for their high school diploma. So, my proudest moment will be when I can hand the diploma to her, knowing I was a big part of her education. I guess because sometimes I regret I didn't get my education when I was young. Instead I worked all the time, made money and went on vacation twice a year. With jobs the way they are to today, you need a good education just to survive. After 27 yrs. in the excavating business, 31 in being a volunteer firefighter my husband has decided to go to school for EMT-basic and maybe paramedic. He said he needs a back up for his career. > > We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a > difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a > child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, > unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the > same way as other kids? I guess I never thought of it that way either. No, we wouldn't let a child go to school without glasses or a hearing aid. Better go I will talk your ear off. Debbie R. ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie and , Ok my turn for confession. I really got interested in kids and brains when my exquisite, bright, love-of-my-life baby girl was failing second grade. She too, was a lefty and couldn't tie her shoes. We had her tested and it turned out that she was terrified that something was wrong because things didn't move quickly enough for her. She always hated being regimented. Once she understood that her difference was not a bad thing, she did do better, receiving the biggest scholarship her school in Ohio ever gave to that time. She was able to attend American U in Washington D.C. for less cost than if she went locally (again scholarships) and finished her Masters' a few years ago. She is now doing some fairly prestigious things for a 25 year old (like having lunch with the Secretary General of the UN) and is planning to attend law school in a year or so. Second child diagnosed hyperactive. Baloney. She was just different and still is. We need different damn it! Third child still struggling with being himself. Too many messages to which he fails to conform. On the other hand he influences people to practice peace and has nearly wiped out sexism, racism, and homophobia in his corner of the world. Your children, in fact all children, are gifts. They are our future. I used to get really upset that there was no resource for kids that are unusual. Its the unusual ones that become the innovators. The ones slightly out of step or that way because their brains are working on problems that others ignore. We need them so much. So why do we have to teach them all as though they were clones? When will the system begin to deal with the kids that we really need as a species? I'm cheering you both on. With all my heart. Laurel Re: OT--dyslexia-- Laurel, Thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I am a hero. All I wanted was for my bright child to be what she wanted to be and to get the education she deserved. When I look back at the teachers I had in school I only wish there were more like them today. Don't get me wrong there are lots but my dads wife who is a school teacher said a lot issues are based on the school board of the district and she claims this is where the problems is. She has become a tester and evaluatates the homeschool students in our area. Teachers didn't embarrass their students, they helped when needed whether before or after school. The teachers always told us when I was in school during the 60s and 70s that we have to be to school at a certain time each morning anyways. My oldest wants to be a professional firefighter/paramedic and she will be excellent as one being she has such a great memory. She has spent her first year as a Jr. Firefighter and not bragging but we've heard from several people that the chief of our dept. is very impressed with her memory of things on the truck and her calmness. She even talks to the ones that get excited to calm down, take a deep breath. Jrs. are more or less gophers to learn the trucks, how to run them and watch what the ones fighting the fire does. Because of the way she talks calmly to patients on EMT calls she was asked to answer the calls by the chief, which Jrs. usually aren't allowed to go on. As you can tell I am very proud of her and my other two. The youngest daughter would like to be an ER doctor, so if your reading . But, being 14 that could change. Something I found out this year that homeschoolers can test through some universities and being given a diploma depending on the test scores for their high school diploma. So, my proudest moment will be when I can hand the diploma to her, knowing I was a big part of her education. I guess because sometimes I regret I didn't get my education when I was young. Instead I worked all the time, made money and went on vacation twice a year. With jobs the way they are to today, you need a good education just to survive. After 27 yrs. in the excavating business, 31 in being a volunteer firefighter my husband has decided to go to school for EMT-basic and maybe paramedic. He said he needs a back up for his career. > > We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a > difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a > child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, > unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the > same way as other kids? I guess I never thought of it that way either. No, we wouldn't let a child go to school without glasses or a hearing aid. Better go I will talk your ear off. Debbie R. ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Laurel, Thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I am a hero. All I wanted was for my bright child to be what she wanted to be and to get the education she deserved. When I look back at the teachers I had in school I only wish there were more like them today. Don't get me wrong there are lots but my dads wife who is a school teacher said a lot issues are based on the school board of the district and she claims this is where the problems is. She has become a tester and evaluatates the homeschool students in our area. Teachers didn't embarrass their students, they helped when needed whether before or after school. The teachers always told us when I was in school during the 60s and 70s that we have to be to school at a certain time each morning anyways. My oldest wants to be a professional firefighter/paramedic and she will be excellent as one being she has such a great memory. She has spent her first year as a Jr. Firefighter and not bragging but we've heard from several people that the chief of our dept. is very impressed with her memory of things on the truck and her calmness. She even talks to the ones that get excited to calm down, take a deep breath. Jrs. are more or less gophers to learn the trucks, how to run them and watch what the ones fighting the fire does. Because of the way she talks calmly to patients on EMT calls she was asked to answer the calls by the chief, which Jrs. usually aren't allowed to go on. As you can tell I am very proud of her and my other two. The youngest daughter would like to be an ER doctor, so if your reading . But, being 14 that could change. Something I found out this year that homeschoolers can test through some universities and being given a diploma depending on the test scores for their high school diploma. So, my proudest moment will be when I can hand the diploma to her, knowing I was a big part of her education. I guess because sometimes I regret I didn't get my education when I was young. Instead I worked all the time, made money and went on vacation twice a year. With jobs the way they are to today, you need a good education just to survive. After 27 yrs. in the excavating business, 31 in being a volunteer firefighter my husband has decided to go to school for EMT-basic and maybe paramedic. He said he needs a back up for his career. > > We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a > difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a > child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, > unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the > same way as other kids? I guess I never thought of it that way either. No, we wouldn't let a child go to school without glasses or a hearing aid. Better go I will talk your ear off. Debbie R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Laurel, Thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I am a hero. All I wanted was for my bright child to be what she wanted to be and to get the education she deserved. When I look back at the teachers I had in school I only wish there were more like them today. Don't get me wrong there are lots but my dads wife who is a school teacher said a lot issues are based on the school board of the district and she claims this is where the problems is. She has become a tester and evaluatates the homeschool students in our area. Teachers didn't embarrass their students, they helped when needed whether before or after school. The teachers always told us when I was in school during the 60s and 70s that we have to be to school at a certain time each morning anyways. My oldest wants to be a professional firefighter/paramedic and she will be excellent as one being she has such a great memory. She has spent her first year as a Jr. Firefighter and not bragging but we've heard from several people that the chief of our dept. is very impressed with her memory of things on the truck and her calmness. She even talks to the ones that get excited to calm down, take a deep breath. Jrs. are more or less gophers to learn the trucks, how to run them and watch what the ones fighting the fire does. Because of the way she talks calmly to patients on EMT calls she was asked to answer the calls by the chief, which Jrs. usually aren't allowed to go on. As you can tell I am very proud of her and my other two. The youngest daughter would like to be an ER doctor, so if your reading . But, being 14 that could change. Something I found out this year that homeschoolers can test through some universities and being given a diploma depending on the test scores for their high school diploma. So, my proudest moment will be when I can hand the diploma to her, knowing I was a big part of her education. I guess because sometimes I regret I didn't get my education when I was young. Instead I worked all the time, made money and went on vacation twice a year. With jobs the way they are to today, you need a good education just to survive. After 27 yrs. in the excavating business, 31 in being a volunteer firefighter my husband has decided to go to school for EMT-basic and maybe paramedic. He said he needs a back up for his career. > > We keep thinking of dyslexia as a disease. I don't think that's fair. Its a > difference, just as myopia is a difference. We would never think of making a > child go through school without his/her glasses would we? The brightest kid, > unable to see will begin to fail. Why do we force dyslexic kids to learn the > same way as other kids? I guess I never thought of it that way either. No, we wouldn't let a child go to school without glasses or a hearing aid. Better go I will talk your ear off. Debbie R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 , I am pretty sure you already know this but your son may well have learned how to write letters but his brain may have difficulty automating the transfer of a particular sound from some arbitrary symbol to the associated sound. To read phonetically he has to be able not only to do this but to put chains of sounds together into (more or less) syllables and then to words and from words to sentences all the while carrying the individual meanings in his head. He then has to imply emotion to all this as well as a dozen other shades of meaning. Most kids are cheated by " whole language " processing. Its just not a good idea for them. Dyslexic kids, on the other hand, probably do most of their processing this way. To ask a dyslexic kid to spell when the have trouble with the symbols is asking an awful lot. Besides English as a language is full of arbitrary shifts in vowel sounds. Enough to make a saint cry. We also have two sounds for the th combination, an arbitrary spelling for the sh (not and s sound and an h sound) combination. A j sounds more like a d and then a z. And, of course the more sophisticated vocabulary becomes the more confusing the spelling. Then add some foreign languages which don't pronounce some letters at all or some which have sounds that are not found in English. Geez! And that's just the beginning. Why can't he be a happy engineer instead of a miserable reader? And how many people can successfully think in 3D? Maybe this guy has a future in computer-generated problem solving. Laurel OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, I hope you do write the book. I'd certainly love to read it. Terry > > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 18:05:40 -0700 > To: <graves_support > > Subject: Re: OT--dyslexia-- > > Terry, > > I will finish this story someday. Maybe you just gave me an idea. I've > always wanted to write a book and maybe it should be on this. My problem is > I hated English, so it is one of my down falls. She is in the 10th grade > this year and you know what it only took 3 wks. for them to be back to the > normal laughing, happy children. The youngest daughter is in 8th, started > homeschooling her in 2nd grade. henrys doing some preschool. My oldest > has told me she would never change what I've done. The road hasn't been > easy and I will be the first to admit it. I get burned out, but sometimes > you have to make sacrifices and I know the accomplishments they'll make in > life will be a part of what I've taught them. > > > > > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not > intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > > Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement > of > the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Debbie, I hope you do write the book. I'd certainly love to read it. Terry > > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 18:05:40 -0700 > To: <graves_support > > Subject: Re: OT--dyslexia-- > > Terry, > > I will finish this story someday. Maybe you just gave me an idea. I've > always wanted to write a book and maybe it should be on this. My problem is > I hated English, so it is one of my down falls. She is in the 10th grade > this year and you know what it only took 3 wks. for them to be back to the > normal laughing, happy children. The youngest daughter is in 8th, started > homeschooling her in 2nd grade. henrys doing some preschool. My oldest > has told me she would never change what I've done. The road hasn't been > easy and I will be the first to admit it. I get burned out, but sometimes > you have to make sacrifices and I know the accomplishments they'll make in > life will be a part of what I've taught them. > > > > > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not > intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > > Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement > of > the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Terry, I will finish this story someday. Maybe you just gave me an idea. I've always wanted to write a book and maybe it should be on this. My problem is I hated English, so it is one of my down falls. She is in the 10th grade this year and you know what it only took 3 wks. for them to be back to the normal laughing, happy children. The youngest daughter is in 8th, started homeschooling her in 2nd grade. henrys doing some preschool. My oldest has told me she would never change what I've done. The road hasn't been easy and I will be the first to admit it. I get burned out, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices and I know the accomplishments they'll make in life will be a part of what I've taught them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Terry, I will finish this story someday. Maybe you just gave me an idea. I've always wanted to write a book and maybe it should be on this. My problem is I hated English, so it is one of my down falls. She is in the 10th grade this year and you know what it only took 3 wks. for them to be back to the normal laughing, happy children. The youngest daughter is in 8th, started homeschooling her in 2nd grade. henrys doing some preschool. My oldest has told me she would never change what I've done. The road hasn't been easy and I will be the first to admit it. I get burned out, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices and I know the accomplishments they'll make in life will be a part of what I've taught them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 So much of this sounds so familiar, my oldest daughter tied her shoes this way or on the order of it. She certainly tied her shoes different. The youngest has dyslexia but very mild, she writes certain numbers and letters backwards and she does the letter thing your son is doing. She writes very little and not very neat. See you are already picking up things, if you work with him this summer you'll see how he will learn. It is hard to explain but being around my daughter everyday actually taught me how to teach her, if that makes sense. > > The more I work with him at home, the more odd things I see him do that make > me even more sure that there is something different about the way his brain > works. He is very definitely right handed, but it's like he does everything > backwards. He's learning to tie shoes and he does all the motions backward > from the way " righties " do it. I've never seen a left handed person do > simple tasks like this, but I wonder if that's the way they do it, too. > He'll make the first loop with the right lace and hold it with the right > hand, then wrap the left lace around with his left hand going from the back > to the front. Which is just about opposite from the way I've always seen > people tie their shoes. Seems a simple variation (I can't even do it, it > makes my brain hurt!) but it's kind of symptomatic of the way he does a lot > of things. Like writing for example. Most people start with the top of the > letter and go down. He starts from the bottom and goes up. Or when you make > a lower case " b " , he starts from the top of the circle, goes around to the > right and down and then up to form the straight line of the letter. His > reading teacher said that is sometimes and indicator of a learning > disability because their brain works differently. You don't need to be homeschooling to teach him at home during the summer. I will try to go through my folders (they are a mess now). Goodness I have over 2,500 emails in my in box. I have websites that you could copy info off of and not even have to buy books. I have some educational/game/learning sites. They play games and learn. Let me know what kind of stuff you are looking to teach. I will help all I can. What about a summer program at the library. Our little library does summer reading programs and they give the kids reading badges, like I used to get in Girl Scouts. > > I'd like to work with him at home a lot this summer. I'm afraid he'll lose > all the progress he's made in the last few months if I don't. One of the > teachers is doing tutoring this summer, but it's going to be way too > expensive for us, especially with no income currently - $20 / hour! Since > you are very familiar with home schooling, Debbie, are there programs to do > summer study at home? Can you get the curriculum materials for the school > year and do them in the summer? Do you know what I mean? Can you only get > them if you are an " official " home school student? How did you even get > started? I had a friend who gave me a number to call. It was the middle of Jan., husband wasn't working, the second grade teacher gave my daughter all her workbooks, my oldest had her math workbook. Some homeschool parents gave me books to finish the year that they weren't using. Homeschool parents tend to keep there books. Don't get me wrong I am not telling you to homeschool, but it was the only choice we had them. Since then the laws have changes, but would I do it again. Yes, Yes, Yes! I'm not sure who I would even call to find out these things in our > area. I know that they have an excellent home school program here in Iowa, > but I don't know through what channels one goes. Everything you have said > makes me think this is a great idea and just what he needs, especially for > summer. I'd hate to home school him permanently, 'cuz I'm afraid I'd never > get anything accomplished with his baby brother and sister home, too! He'd > really be behind then! And his sister is going to kindergarten at his school > next year and he's looking forward to that. Plus, he's always been a shy kid > and is one who really need the social interaction. He has changed so much > since we started him a year later in kindergarten. He's gone from a > painfully shy person to an outgoing leader in his class. That would have > _never_ have happened had I kept him home. My youngest is shy but we have her in 4H, youth group at church, we are trying to get a Farm Bureau Youth group going in our area, she plays volleyball at church, the oldest is a Jr. Firefighter and the youngest is going to join. Whether she wants to get into any of that is for her to decide, but we think the responsibility is important. .. > > Your story about your 2nd grader spelling better than your 4th grader is so > what I'm worried about happening here. Our daughter is 4.5 and will be in > kindergarten next year. She was an extremely early talker (like your older > daughter) and she just really " gets " the whole language an reading thing. > She was learned all her sounds in preschool and her brother was trying to > practice his 1st grade spelling words. The word was " sled " and as our son > was desperately trying to sound it out, his sister promptly picked out the > sounds and said " S-L-E-D " . Our son's jaw just dropped when we said that was > correct. We were getting worried that she would read before he did, but all > of a sudden he started to be able to put the sounds together and read some > simple sentences. They are already so competitive, I think he'd be crushed > if she read better than he did. Since she is so much better with language, > the age gap between them seems much less than the 3 years it is. How did > your older daughter deal with her sister being a better speller, etc. than > she was? Was there anything you found that lessened the competition or > helped her to not feel demoralized? We've tried stressing that everybody has > different talents. He's much better at math concepts than she is, so we've > tried to point out things like that. It crushed my daughter when the youngest could out spell her and she still does. My husband and I practically beat it into her head how special she was and the good qualities about her. That everyone has something they are good at and I am sure as close as they are there will always be competition. The youngest just turned 14(march 16) oldest 16(march 17). The youngest is jealous because now the 16 y.o. can get a learners permit for driving, can date. No dates yet, she don't want to rush it. She is more worried about her schooling, singing, horse, 4H etc. > > I think your story really reinforces the fears I have about what I don't > want to happen. I don't want to be told 3 or 4 years from now that he's got > a problem and that he's failing. If there's something wrong, I want it deal > with it now, when it's maybe more easy to correct. The school seems content > to take a wait and see approach until he's in like 3rd grade, and then tell > me he's got a problem with reading. Duh! I think we know that already. Why > are we waiting until it's a huge problem? These were the same fears I had when it was the middle of 4th grade. Try to find out the laws in your state, there has to be a law that every child deserves to be educated. Find it out and demand he be tested. Some things I tried to teach her to spell while in school, singing, jumping jacks(she liked jumping jacks) doing cheers learning to spell words. Anything I could think of at first to get her brain working. It kept her from flunking spelling while in school. The other thing is when she didn't get something in school, they left her behind and she got to the point she was lost. If we received a " D " in spelling that was all we cared about. Another thing is different colored paper, sounds funny, but some can read the words on colored paper. They tested my daughter for that. No brown or black, they used yellow, orange, green, blue, red, not sure on the purple. If he has trouble with numbers we used dots on the numbers one dot on the number one etc. I haven't tried to scan and email anything but we could try it with the numbers if he needs help there. They worked wonderful. It is in place of counting fingers, so they can do it private and not be embarrassed. After a while they just learn to count pretend dots shall I say. Start with the dots on the numbers and then after a while they won't need them but they can still pretend they are counting them on the number. Don't really know how to explain it. > > OK, Debbie, now you've got me all charged up and I want to roll some heads > and get action! I'll have to make some calls and see if I can get any > further with some of these questions. I so appreciate your information. I > know he can learn it, I'm just not sure I know how to _teach_ it. I need > someone to show me how to show him to read for his brain to understand it! I believe parents know what intelligence their children have, if you know your son is capable he is. If he wasn't I think you would know. The schools push the kids and I believe this is a problem for some, especially my daughter. She couldn't take the stress of the pushing and all the homework. It isn't for all students. I am 45 yrs. old, when I was in grade school, some of you will remember, we had different reading levels, from advanced to the slower ones. When my daughter was in school that wasn't so, everyone had the same reading book. If you were bored you were stuck and if you were lost you were stuck. I've heard complaints from parents that things were too easy for their children. Email me privately before school is out and I will try to come up with websites with worksheets for you. > > Thanks again for sharing this. It really does make me feel better knowing > that there are people like you and your daughter who have overcome > difficulties such as this and one on to be successful students! I felt I needed to share, I know how hard it was for me not understanding why my daughter was struggling. It would have helped to have someone with the same problem, I felt lost like I was with the graves disease. Debbie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 So much of this sounds so familiar, my oldest daughter tied her shoes this way or on the order of it. She certainly tied her shoes different. The youngest has dyslexia but very mild, she writes certain numbers and letters backwards and she does the letter thing your son is doing. She writes very little and not very neat. See you are already picking up things, if you work with him this summer you'll see how he will learn. It is hard to explain but being around my daughter everyday actually taught me how to teach her, if that makes sense. > > The more I work with him at home, the more odd things I see him do that make > me even more sure that there is something different about the way his brain > works. He is very definitely right handed, but it's like he does everything > backwards. He's learning to tie shoes and he does all the motions backward > from the way " righties " do it. I've never seen a left handed person do > simple tasks like this, but I wonder if that's the way they do it, too. > He'll make the first loop with the right lace and hold it with the right > hand, then wrap the left lace around with his left hand going from the back > to the front. Which is just about opposite from the way I've always seen > people tie their shoes. Seems a simple variation (I can't even do it, it > makes my brain hurt!) but it's kind of symptomatic of the way he does a lot > of things. Like writing for example. Most people start with the top of the > letter and go down. He starts from the bottom and goes up. Or when you make > a lower case " b " , he starts from the top of the circle, goes around to the > right and down and then up to form the straight line of the letter. His > reading teacher said that is sometimes and indicator of a learning > disability because their brain works differently. You don't need to be homeschooling to teach him at home during the summer. I will try to go through my folders (they are a mess now). Goodness I have over 2,500 emails in my in box. I have websites that you could copy info off of and not even have to buy books. I have some educational/game/learning sites. They play games and learn. Let me know what kind of stuff you are looking to teach. I will help all I can. What about a summer program at the library. Our little library does summer reading programs and they give the kids reading badges, like I used to get in Girl Scouts. > > I'd like to work with him at home a lot this summer. I'm afraid he'll lose > all the progress he's made in the last few months if I don't. One of the > teachers is doing tutoring this summer, but it's going to be way too > expensive for us, especially with no income currently - $20 / hour! Since > you are very familiar with home schooling, Debbie, are there programs to do > summer study at home? Can you get the curriculum materials for the school > year and do them in the summer? Do you know what I mean? Can you only get > them if you are an " official " home school student? How did you even get > started? I had a friend who gave me a number to call. It was the middle of Jan., husband wasn't working, the second grade teacher gave my daughter all her workbooks, my oldest had her math workbook. Some homeschool parents gave me books to finish the year that they weren't using. Homeschool parents tend to keep there books. Don't get me wrong I am not telling you to homeschool, but it was the only choice we had them. Since then the laws have changes, but would I do it again. Yes, Yes, Yes! I'm not sure who I would even call to find out these things in our > area. I know that they have an excellent home school program here in Iowa, > but I don't know through what channels one goes. Everything you have said > makes me think this is a great idea and just what he needs, especially for > summer. I'd hate to home school him permanently, 'cuz I'm afraid I'd never > get anything accomplished with his baby brother and sister home, too! He'd > really be behind then! And his sister is going to kindergarten at his school > next year and he's looking forward to that. Plus, he's always been a shy kid > and is one who really need the social interaction. He has changed so much > since we started him a year later in kindergarten. He's gone from a > painfully shy person to an outgoing leader in his class. That would have > _never_ have happened had I kept him home. My youngest is shy but we have her in 4H, youth group at church, we are trying to get a Farm Bureau Youth group going in our area, she plays volleyball at church, the oldest is a Jr. Firefighter and the youngest is going to join. Whether she wants to get into any of that is for her to decide, but we think the responsibility is important. .. > > Your story about your 2nd grader spelling better than your 4th grader is so > what I'm worried about happening here. Our daughter is 4.5 and will be in > kindergarten next year. She was an extremely early talker (like your older > daughter) and she just really " gets " the whole language an reading thing. > She was learned all her sounds in preschool and her brother was trying to > practice his 1st grade spelling words. The word was " sled " and as our son > was desperately trying to sound it out, his sister promptly picked out the > sounds and said " S-L-E-D " . Our son's jaw just dropped when we said that was > correct. We were getting worried that she would read before he did, but all > of a sudden he started to be able to put the sounds together and read some > simple sentences. They are already so competitive, I think he'd be crushed > if she read better than he did. Since she is so much better with language, > the age gap between them seems much less than the 3 years it is. How did > your older daughter deal with her sister being a better speller, etc. than > she was? Was there anything you found that lessened the competition or > helped her to not feel demoralized? We've tried stressing that everybody has > different talents. He's much better at math concepts than she is, so we've > tried to point out things like that. It crushed my daughter when the youngest could out spell her and she still does. My husband and I practically beat it into her head how special she was and the good qualities about her. That everyone has something they are good at and I am sure as close as they are there will always be competition. The youngest just turned 14(march 16) oldest 16(march 17). The youngest is jealous because now the 16 y.o. can get a learners permit for driving, can date. No dates yet, she don't want to rush it. She is more worried about her schooling, singing, horse, 4H etc. > > I think your story really reinforces the fears I have about what I don't > want to happen. I don't want to be told 3 or 4 years from now that he's got > a problem and that he's failing. If there's something wrong, I want it deal > with it now, when it's maybe more easy to correct. The school seems content > to take a wait and see approach until he's in like 3rd grade, and then tell > me he's got a problem with reading. Duh! I think we know that already. Why > are we waiting until it's a huge problem? These were the same fears I had when it was the middle of 4th grade. Try to find out the laws in your state, there has to be a law that every child deserves to be educated. Find it out and demand he be tested. Some things I tried to teach her to spell while in school, singing, jumping jacks(she liked jumping jacks) doing cheers learning to spell words. Anything I could think of at first to get her brain working. It kept her from flunking spelling while in school. The other thing is when she didn't get something in school, they left her behind and she got to the point she was lost. If we received a " D " in spelling that was all we cared about. Another thing is different colored paper, sounds funny, but some can read the words on colored paper. They tested my daughter for that. No brown or black, they used yellow, orange, green, blue, red, not sure on the purple. If he has trouble with numbers we used dots on the numbers one dot on the number one etc. I haven't tried to scan and email anything but we could try it with the numbers if he needs help there. They worked wonderful. It is in place of counting fingers, so they can do it private and not be embarrassed. After a while they just learn to count pretend dots shall I say. Start with the dots on the numbers and then after a while they won't need them but they can still pretend they are counting them on the number. Don't really know how to explain it. > > OK, Debbie, now you've got me all charged up and I want to roll some heads > and get action! I'll have to make some calls and see if I can get any > further with some of these questions. I so appreciate your information. I > know he can learn it, I'm just not sure I know how to _teach_ it. I need > someone to show me how to show him to read for his brain to understand it! I believe parents know what intelligence their children have, if you know your son is capable he is. If he wasn't I think you would know. The schools push the kids and I believe this is a problem for some, especially my daughter. She couldn't take the stress of the pushing and all the homework. It isn't for all students. I am 45 yrs. old, when I was in grade school, some of you will remember, we had different reading levels, from advanced to the slower ones. When my daughter was in school that wasn't so, everyone had the same reading book. If you were bored you were stuck and if you were lost you were stuck. I've heard complaints from parents that things were too easy for their children. Email me privately before school is out and I will try to come up with websites with worksheets for you. > > Thanks again for sharing this. It really does make me feel better knowing > that there are people like you and your daughter who have overcome > difficulties such as this and one on to be successful students! I felt I needed to share, I know how hard it was for me not understanding why my daughter was struggling. It would have helped to have someone with the same problem, I felt lost like I was with the graves disease. Debbie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Hi - Boy, when this subject came up, I was so surprised by the connection with autoimmune diseases. I had no idea the floodgate that I was opening up by asking for advice! I can't believe the response this has generated...and I felt like I was alone with this potential problem! Your son sounds a lot like mine - the engineering and architect type, building with Legos, speech delayed. I thought it interesting your experience with dyslexia and schools in the UK. The coordination exercises seem intriguing...I'd like to hear about that when you find out. It sounds like you've really gotten some good help with your son - I hope we fare as lucky! P.S. I wonder if we should take this off-line somehow. It seems like we have so many people involved now, I wonder if there is an easy way to do this? Re: OT--dyslexia-- HI , Debbie & everyone one else who,posted on this topic I know this is OT but I am amazed at the number of us who share this experience. I am glad to know that it is just not in type UK that schools can be obstructive. My son didn't speak till he was 3 & when he first started school he learned to read any book by the look & say method. When he had to use other ways of reading like breaking down the syllables he just stopped. He didn't do anything in school till he was 9 when he had a teacher who recognised his problem. He told me dyslexia was political in the school. He advised me to take to have a special test for colour/contrast sensitivity which showed he had Irlen syndrome. Some people are helped by using tinted lenses are overlays but that didn't help him. At this stage I had got the SEN to get him some help. He was taken out of class almost every day to practice spieling & to learn to write his letters the right way round. After 1 year he got his letters ok but not the spelling - he would get them all right with the teacher & forget them within minutes. In the end I took him to the dyslexia Institute in London to see an educational psychologist.It cost me £300. It was worth it - she said he was severely dyslexic, very clever & I should get him specialist help. She said he could be an engineer or an architect- I think he will be an engineer - he thinks in 3D & has played with Lego from a very young age. Aftyer the assessment he staerted to write for the first time. The school bought in a specila teacher for 1/2 hr per week for 18 months & he did very well inhis tests at the end of primary scholl. I moved house so he could go to the Secondary School he is in now. The teachers are great - he gets some support in lessons & they have just agreed to withdraw him from French once a week for dyslexia tuition. He has settled really well. He alos gets some private tuition and did start a cousre we have in ther UK called Touch Type Read & spell - a touch typing programme which helps with spelling. I made a decision to support him at home but not to teach him - I think we would be very angry with each other aall the time if I did this. Also his school is goiung to trial a new method of helping dyslexic children by giving them exercises to improve coordination. I will get more details this week. I am not sure if it will help - his coordination isn't too bad. He is much more confident at writing but his spelling is a scream. He likes Maths, Craft design & technology bui is glad not to do French - he can understand it ok but can't write it. His self esteem can be very low at times & that's the hardest thing to deal with now. I am happy to carry this discussion on off list - or does anyone know of a support group? Take care OT--dyslexia-- >To all who responded to this post, > >My daughter started having trouble in 1st grade. Her teacher was great at >working with us since that summer her friend a school teacher found out her >daughter that just graduated with a 4.0 couldn't read but early grade school >level. She used a tape recorder in school and took notes to study. For >reports she would listen to the book on cassette tapes. This is how my >daughter received the grades in her classes also " MEMORY " . The teacher >pushed it, the school system didn't want to test, but finally did. > >The problem is that not all teachers are helpful. Her 2nd grade teacher and >SLD (special learning disability) teacher were great. Then 3rd grade came, >new SLD teacher that made fun of the kids with learning problems. From the >beginning we were told we would be in control, NOT SO. At the end of 3rd >grade I told them I wasn't happy. They didn't think so. WHY NOT? I had a >3rd grader passed to 4th that couldn't barely read and couldn't spell. All >the school cared about was us signing the papers before we left there that >day to save them postal money. It had to be mailed with a return receipt >etc so would have cost about $3.50. Now, what would you think of a school >district worried about $3.50 yet not worried we were concerned. The >beginning of 4th grade was worse. The teacher was just a -itch. She >started on my daughter the first parent teacher conference, beating her fist >on the desk that we had a real problem with our daughter. I thought I'd >jump over the table and deck the woman. Now, at this time I was hyper but >hadn't been diagnosed. So the graves rages were in full swing. The >homework was 3.5 to 4 hrs. each night, reports every two weeks, plus I was >suppose to work on reading and spelling at home. It came to the point I was >drained and my daughter was depressed, her brain couldn't handle the >overload. By Christmas break she was depressed the girl that was born >smiling, didn't know whether to say Hello when she got home or be quiet. >Then the youngest sister who was now in 2nd grade was spelling 4th grade >words and the 4th grader couldn't. > >I cried, my daughter that was so intelligent was going to slip through the >cracks of learning. We told the school we weren't happy, they told us this >was the law for everyone. We weren't the only parents complaining of too >much homework. We had no family life at all. This daughter was the one >that could speak full sentences at 15 months, she talked like an adult. When >she wrote words they almost always had the vowels left out. > >This is where the homeschooling came in. Living in a rural area the private >schools don't do well here. We did check some christian schools and they >were different to say the least. We had friends that homeschooled and that >is how we got to the point we are 7 yrs. later. My goodness 7 yrs., time >flies when you are having fun. > >In Ohio we didn't have the law that forced the school district to test and >educate, but even if they do like with my daughter her special teacher >wasn't teaching her, I was. Now, there is a law here that every student is >entitled to an education, but what exactly does entitled to education mean? >Students are graduating every year that can't read, write or do math. > >My 4 yr. old son was also a late talker , they blame me and the >girls for that. We spoiled him they said. When we read his favorite books >we better not try to shorten the story when this ole mum and dad are tired, >he'll tell you, " that isn't how it goes " . The school tested my daughter, >Cleveland Clinic does testing in our area and sometimes I wish we would have >went there after the school tested. There is also a school near the >Cleveland area for children with dyslexia. Too far away for her to go to >school. The International Dyslexia Assoc. >http://www.interdys.org/index.jsp > >This is a different name they used to be the Orton Dyslexia Society. They >were very helpful and sent me information on places for testing in our area. >At the time the testing was about $1,500.00 and insurance usually didn't >cover it. Things could have changed now. I was told the school could >handle it, but now I wish I would have went for the testing at Cleveland >Clinic also. > >Also don't freak like I did when I we went to meet with school officials >about the testing. They were talking about special education, but didn't >inform me what it was. When I went to school there was no such thing as >special learning disabilities. It was special education class and that is >all. We left the office and I walked down the hall to the special education >room, watched the kids and told my husband that can't be her. No one told >me the difference from the two classes. I am not saying there is anything >wrong with those children, just she didn't seem to be like the rest in the >room. And that wasn't the class they were talking about, but never told me. >I just cried, then I called the people in the website I gave you above and >they were very helpful and explained it all to me. In fact, I was given the >phone number of a person in Ohio to call that evening at home. So, the >International Dyslexia Assoc. is very, very helpful and I would highly >recommend them. I haven't attended one yet because of the travel, but they >will send you notification of seminars in your area about learning >disabilities, unless it is something they have changed. > >In an email I sent to group yesterday there are two sites that list famous >people with dyslexia and some of them were homeschooled. I was told when I >started homeschooling that 50% of homeschooled children had learning >problems that they weren't getting the education their parents felt they >should be. These special learning disability teachers go to school and are >taught how to teach these children. > >This is long, but I've been through this and wanted to tell you my >experiece. I gave our school district two years and they weren't doing the >job I expected, I was. They thought I should be happy that my fourth grader >couldn't spell or read. To me I looked at the fact she was going to be >going into 5th grade and was 1/3 of the way through school. > >My girls were tested a few weeks after I took them out of school. This was >for my protection to prove that weren't learning. I was shocked at the >scores they received, but it showed me where to start. We started clear >back to 1st grade level in reading and spelling. > >Debbie R. > > > > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2002 Report Share Posted April 9, 2002 Everyone, I am sitting here crying reading all these posts. There are so many things we can share here, whether graves or not. That is what is so important to me. I never dreamed I could have friends that I never saw there face, but they touched my heart. Why is that? Because we aren't alone. We are a small group of people in this big wide world and there aren't graves disease people sitting on every corner and there aren't dyslexics that we know of on every corner. You just can't go around hey you I have graves disease do you, I need someone to talk to or my daughter is dyslexic and I feel helpless. Just go turn on your computer. Thanks for being here. Debbie R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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