Requesting recommendations for credible sources of classroom interventions

[Guest guest]

Hello. I'm a relatively new member and have been reading the daily discussions

with interest. This is my first post. I haven't seen much here on my current

topic of interest, so I'm hoping members might be able to point me to some good

sources of information RE: classroom strategies & interventions. My son, age

10, has been diagnosed with ADD, GAD, and, more recently motor apraxia. The ADD

mostly impacts focus, working memory and processing speed, and we have these

issues pretty well addressed. He is taking Focalin, omega 3's and vitamins E

and D, and he has " tools " that help him overcome these challenges. This year,

it became apparent for the first time that he has great difficulty translating

oral ( & sometimes written) directions into action. Despite average

intelligence, he gets confused by teachers directions and spoken lessons (even

for simple directives like " fold the paper in half, and then in half again " ). He

does fine after someone sits with him and explains what needs to be done. My

son is a kinesthetic and visual learner. Science lessons are not absorbed at

school and I have been re-teaching the lessons at home, drawing heavily on

demonstration, graphics, etc. His IEP is coming up next week and I'd like to

find some sources that could highlight best practices teachers can use for this

type of learner. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

debbie l.

[Guest guest]

Debbie I am thrilled you found us and am sure we can help you as a group. I can

tell you are an awesome mom in that you are out searching for help for your son

-however I am concerned about the professionals that surround your child

currently -and am highly encouraging second opinions in that regard. I am also

highly encouraging you to keep an open mind that all you believe about your son

may be slightly distorted. I can explain why I am saying this- and I do have

much more to answer on this but first want to get something straightened out to

better understand the situation as your son is an age that to me is academically

critical.

Your child is 10 years old and has a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder and

general anxiety disorder -but " more recently " has been diagnosed with apraxia?

I could be wrong but this smells strongly of a psychological evaluation

diagnosing your child rather than a neurodevelopmental medical exam...am I

right?

Just throwing this out but isn't it possible that whomever is diagnosing your

child and missed the apraxia may have caused the anxiety?!! I mean apraxia in

itself can cause secondary to the motor planning stress- and if not addressed

appropriately absolutely can cause secondary to the diagnosis psychological

disorders. Mel is the most known for her post traumatic stress syndrome that

stemmed from inappropriate diagnosis of mental retardation and autism and

inappropriate ABA therapy. (you can read Mel's blog here if you missed it

http://littlemermaidmelanie.wordpress.com/category/ayurveda-journal )

Here are the signs I found for GAD

" tension, restlessness, irritability, headaches, nausea, fatigue, insomnia and

trembling. To be diagnosed with GAD, a patient has to present with excessive or

pathological worry that is difficult to control and usually negatively impacts

his life. "

I could be wrong but every single " symptom " of GAD could honestly be explained

as frustration and anxiety from not being appropriately diagnosed up till

recently...if in fact apraxia is appropriate. Also let's not overlook the drug

he's been put on Focalin which sides effects can be " Side effects may include:

decreased appetite, fever, nausea, stomach pain, increased blood pressure and

heart rate, new or worsening behavior and thought problems, aggressive behavior,

new psychotic symptoms, slowing of growth " ...is it just me or are the possible

side effects FAR worse than the original symptoms???

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/rx/rx-mono.aspx?contentFileName=Foc1610.html & cont\

entName=Focalin & contentId=248

Not saying you should take him off because from what I read you can't just do

that -and it's addictive too. What I'm saying again is run for a second opinion

and perhaps as a group we can help you there.

Also please be aware that apraxia is a motor planning disorder which depending

upon the area affected make it difficult to perform on commend. This can apply

to speech, actions etc.

So...when you say

" This year, it became apparent for the first time that he has great difficulty

translating oral ( & sometimes written) directions into action. Despite average

intelligence, he gets confused by teachers directions and spoken lessons (even

for simple directives like " fold the paper in half, and then in half again " ). "

If you can imagine that you understand what you are supposed to do...but need

help doing it -just can't. And it's assumed that you are " confused " and that

the only reason you are anxious is because you have a psychological disorder and

you are on a medication for ADD that can cause " decreased appetite, fever,

nausea, stomach pain, increased blood pressure and heart rate, new or worsening

behavior and thought problems, aggressive behavior, new psychotic symptoms,

slowing of growth "

....AND YOU ARE ONLY TEN YEARS OLD (still a baby really)

Well you're a mom -you get the point. So please let me know -who diagnosed your

child? Who put him on the medication he's on? When exactly was he diagnosed

with apraxia and what area of the body and/or speech is affected? What type of

school placement? What state do you live in? Would you be open for second

opinions on diagnosis, placement, therapy...just about everything you up till

today assume is correct for your son? Please let me know and I for sure can

answer the rest -but to me what I just pointed out is priority to everything

else at this point. And for sure please read Ketchum's background too

http://littlemermaidmelanie.wordpress.com/about

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