@randoms and ? Dyslexia help?

[laurenpetro]

feel free to put your randoms in here but I need some help.

I'm nearly positive G has dyslexia. I've been saying as much for years and have been told in many different ways that I was wrong but the kid's in 6th grade and her writing is atrocious.  I spoke to the woman who is basically her case manager and she immediately agreed with me, which is great and all but where do I go from here?

they're starting a program called the Orten-Gillingham program with her. my basic googling tells me not terribly much other than it's a phonics learning system that's multi-sensory.

help? feel free to talk to me like I'm 5 on this.

[hopecounts]

Orton-Gillingham is the gold standard treatment for Dyslexia so it's great they will be using it.
Don't know the specifics except that it is successful for a lot of kids with dyslexia.
auntie knows more I think

If you want to see what it looks like there are videos on YouTube of lessons.

[litebright]

I think auntie knows about Orten-Gillingham. Handwriting is a constant battle with my DD1 (3rd grade), too. She still has to be frequently reminded making her Bs, Ds and Gs into capitals instead of lowercase and it is just overall a mess.

I plowed over a traffic cone as I left the drop-off lane today and dragged it all over the place before I found a place to stop, try to drag it out (too firmly wedged) and then drive some more until it popped out. Then had to walk it back to the principal who was out supervising the car line.

This is the second time in two years I've done this. I can't even tell you how embarrassed I was.

[StrawberryBlondie]

DJ did drop off this morning so i could get to work early. Baby H had 2 great weeks of drop off but i figured Monday, plus me not there, plus her teacher in vacation wouldn't be a good combo.

I even reminded DH that her teacher wouldn't be there specifically so he would remember the thing that's made drop off good the last 2 weeks.

Well, he forgot it. And drop off was apparently terrible.

[savan]

My DS has dyslexia. I suspected something was wrong for a couple of years but was dismissed by the school. We finally went out and paid for an independent neuropsych evaluation. Through that testing he was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia. The school still refuses to provide any help so we enrolled DS in an OG program through our county's youth services. He is doing the Barton Reading & Spelling system 3-4 times per week now.

[frlcb]

We have several (3 or 4) private schools in our city that focus specifically on dyslexia and they all use the OG method. Our school uses it for all kids through 1st or 2nd grade. It's a great, highly regarded program.

[OscarQ]

Has anyone dealt with sleepwalking kids. We think DS2 (soon to be 4) is sleepwalking. Last week I found him going downstairs at 2am one night. Another night I found him sitting outside DS1's bedroom around the same time. Last night he fell asleep in the LR and then woke up, spoke gibberish and walked over to wear we keep our shoes seemingly to put them on. We're getting an extra lock for the front door that will be out of his reach but any other advice?

ETA:  Sorry, LP, I have no info on dyslexia.  Want me to start a new @randoms?

[tres3]

We use orten-gillingham with my two boys. It has been amazing.

DS2 uses a program called SPIRE. The school provides the tutor and he gets tutoring 45 minutes a day 5 days a week. He also gets OT through the school to work on his hand writing.

DS3 is doing a program called SMILA with a private tutoring. He's dx wasn't conclusively dyslexia but pointed to it and they wanted to retest in a year after doing an O-G program. He's done phenomenally with it. I do think he may be a stealth dyslexic but it has filled in so many holes that he's now a reading machine and will pick up books and read for pleasure. He did intensive program this summer for the entire month of june 3 hours a day and now goes twice a week.

DS3's teachers have really supported him using cursive this year for his work as part of his SMILA program was you can't reverse letters when you do cursive.

DS2's OT has also been awesome this year saying that she will work with him on cursive as it is better for dyslexics and can help them.

[savan]

I highly encourage you to get an independent evaluation if you can afford it. Schools are notoriously bad at dealing with dyslexia (maybe you are lucky in this area) and a full evaluation and official diagnosis will provide you more leverage now and in the future. It will also help determine if there is something else going on in addition to dyslexia. And it's nice to discover what your kid is really good at :-).

[laurenpetro]

Sept 19, 2016 12:42:01 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

Has anyone dealt with sleepwalking kids. We think DS2 (soon to be 4) is sleepwalking. Last week I found him going downstairs at 2am one night. Another night I found him sitting outside DS1's bedroom around the same time. Last night he fell asleep in the LR and then woke up, spoke gibberish and walked over to wear we keep our shoes seemingly to put them on. We're getting an extra lock for the front door that will be out of his reach but any other advice?

ETA:  Sorry, LP, I have no info on dyslexia.  Want me to start a new @randoms?

nope, not necessary.

ps: we don't have a sleepwalker but we're always worried about B slipping out unnoticed. we have chain locks up where the youngers can't reach them. get them on ALL outside doors, just in case.

    

[tres3]

laurenpetro, there is a national group called "Decoding Dyslexia" that advocates for dyslexia services in schools. They have chapters in every state see if you can find the one in your state. The TN chapter finally got Dyslexia to qualify for IEPs and services starting this year.

[laurenpetro]

Sept 19, 2016 12:50:11 GMT -5 tres3 said:

laurenpetro , there is a national group called "Decoding Dyslexia" that advocates for dyslexia services in schools. They have chapters in every state see if you can find the one in your state. The TN chapter finally got Dyslexia to qualify for IEPs and services starting this year.

woah. wtf?

thanks for the rec. I'd like to push for the eval but the psychologist was like "yup, I'm right there with you" which makes me think it's unnecessary, KWIM? and they're putting everything into her IEP like today.

I have to say, I love our district. I've never had to push them for anything. I've gotten everything we need or more. this just fell through the cracks. I feel awful about it. 

[rootbeerfloat]

We had DS evaluated (privately) over the summer because of suspected dyslexia. He'd reversed letters for years, has poor spelling and writing, etc. They dx'd ADHD instead because he has trouble with executive functioning, but comprehension is fine under the right circumstances (basically, if given enough time and not distracted). Still, his reading is below grade level, and they recommended Orton-Gillingham to bolster his skills. So we found a tutor to work with him. It's only been a month, so not long enough to see if it's made a difference in his skills, though his self-confidence is better, and we're not fighting about homework as much.

[ijack]

Marmee also has a daughter with dyslexia and she should have some good advice for you

[OscarQ]

Sept 19, 2016 12:47:14 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

Sept 19, 2016 12:42:01 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

ps: we don't have a sleepwalker but we're always worried about B slipping out unnoticed. we have chain locks up where the youngers can't reach them. get them on ALL outside doors, just in case.

    

Thanks, will do!  Considering this is the same kid who did slip outside unnoticed last week we are extra nervous.

[tres3]

Sept 19, 2016 13:03:48 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

Sept 19, 2016 12:50:11 GMT -5 tres3 said:

laurenpetro , there is a national group called "Decoding Dyslexia" that advocates for dyslexia services in schools. They have chapters in every state see if you can find the one in your state. The TN chapter finally got Dyslexia to qualify for IEPs and services starting this year.

woah. wtf?

thanks for the rec. I'd like to push for the eval but the psychologist was like "yup, I'm right there with you" which makes me think it's unnecessary, KWIM? and they're putting everything into her IEP like today.

I have to say, I love our district. I've never had to push them for anything. I've gotten everything we need or more. this just fell through the cracks. I feel awful about it. 

Yes it is insane that dyslexia is not considered a learning disability in most states.  DS2 only got services through the school because he already had an IEP so they have to meet "all" his educational needs now.  I'm not sure I'm going to bother with DS3 through the school or not. I may push for an OT eval.

[eponinepontmercy]

On Saturday, DD went to a birthday party for a friend from the daycare she left last year. There were a bunch of her former classmates, and DH said they were so happy to see each other.

He also finally feels better about sending her to public school after talking to parents there. Thank goodness.

[auntie]

Orton-Gillingham is awesome for dyslexia related to phonemic awareness/decoding. Lindamood Bell is derivative and also very good.

I sent DS to a private Orton-based school for 2 1/2 years where reading and writing were the very core of the day. Tutoring a couple times a week is unlikely to be useful for most who struggle with reading.

Writing is not seen as important as it once was. Most schools no longer focus as much on penmanship- a lot will do HWT in the primary grades but there are real diminishing returns around OT services for kids 10+- if it were mine, hell when it was mine, I'd look into keyboarding instruction and also as an accommodation.

If it's more of an expressive writing glitch, scaffolding software like Inspirations or Kidspirations can really help them find their voice. Reading more helped, too. DS did a pilot program of Scholastic Read 180; he was well remediated by that time, but the constant reading for the program and then responding in writing really tightened up his written voice enough to ace his 2 required college comp classes.

[laurenpetro]

Sept 19, 2016 14:36:02 GMT -5 auntie said:

Orton-Gillingham is awesome for dyslexia related to phonemic awareness/decoding. Lindamood Bell is derivative and also very good.

I sent DS to a private Orton-based school for 2 1/2 years where reading and writing were the very core of the day. Tutoring a couple times a week is unlikely to be useful for most who struggle with reading.

Writing is not seen as important as it once was. Most schools no longer focus as much on penmanship- a lot will do HWT in the primary grades but there are real diminishing returns around OT services for kids 10+- if it were mine, hell when it was mine, I'd look into keyboarding instruction and also as an accommodation.

If it's more of an expressive writing glitch, scaffolding software like Inspirations or Kidspirations can really help them find their voice. Reading more helped, too. DS did a pilot program of Scholastic Read 180; he was well remediated by that time, but the constant reading for the program and then responding in writing really tightened up his written voice enough to ace his 2 required college comp classes.

ok so this was offered but I wasn't happy about it since she really, really can't write. do you think I should work with this?

nothing on my end is in stone. they're awesome about working with me so this is amazingly helpful.

[marriedfilingjoint]

J's birthday party is Sunday and it is a Star Wars theme. FYI if your kids like Star Wars, Target has some of their Star Wars toys marked 30-70% off. Anyway, I was picking out a birthday card for J and I was shocked that the cards were all still "boy cards" and "girl cards" and of course all the Star Wars cards are "boy cards" except one, yes, ONE, for a girl that has Rey on the front. J hasn't seen The Force Awakens and Darth Vader is her favorite anyway (is that weird? Oh well). I was just really surprised given all the brouhaha about Target discouraging gender bias in toys. I imagine it is because their cards are mostly Hallmark and Hallmark still has control over the displays. Anyway, I tweeted Target customer service in an FYI kind of way and was underwhelmed with the response.

[meshaliuknits]

Sept 19, 2016 15:58:58 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

J's birthday party is Sunday and it is a Star Wars theme. FYI if your kids like Star Wars, Target has some of their Star Wars toys marked 30-70% off. Anyway, I was picking out a birthday card for J and I was shocked that the cards were all still "boy cards" and "girl cards" and of course all the Star Wars cards are "boy cards" except one, yes, ONE, for a girl that has Rey on the front. J hasn't seen The Force Awakens and Darth Vader is her favorite anyway (is that weird? Oh well). I was just really surprised given all the brouhaha about Target discouraging gender bias in toys. I imagine it is because their cards are mostly Hallmark and Hallmark still has control over the displays. Anyway, I tweeted Target customer service in an FYI kind of way and was underwhelmed with the response. 

No. Darth Vader is much beloved in my house. Good tip about the discounts.    Useless response from target's twitter account.

[statlerwaldorf]

I'm really struggling with PPD. I finally had an appointment this week, but I guess the counselor just left on an unexpected medical leave. I was able to reschedule with someone else, but they can't see me until the middle of October.

[phdprocrastinator]

Sept 19, 2016 11:48:01 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

feel free to put your randoms in here but I need some help.

I'm nearly positive G has dyslexia. I've been saying as much for years and have been told in many different ways that I was wrong but the kid's in 6th grade and her writing is atrocious.  I spoke to the woman who is basically her case manager and she immediately agreed with me, which is great and all but where do I go from here?

they're starting a program called the Orten-Gillingham program with her. my basic googling tells me not terribly much other than it's a phonics learning system that's multi-sensory.

help? feel free to talk to me like I'm 5 on this.

Wait... who told you your daughter has dyslexia?  Is she already receiving special education services? If she's not receiving services OR if she's not receiving appropriate services and this person is a representative of the school district, you may want to follow up to your conversation via email to get some documentation of what she said to establish/amend the IEP.

Rule number one we teach our special ed teacher candidates is that they CANNOT casually diagnosis a student.  First, eligibility is only established through proper assessment. Second, it will put the school district in a bind... so.... you may be able to put the school district in a bind if you think your daughter needs accommodations/services.  

That being said, I've heard wonderful things about Orton-Gillingham.  Hopefully it will help your daughter.

[auntie]

phdprocrastinator, in most districts, a school psych will make the claim that dyslexia is a medical dx and must be made by a physician. DS has a dx from a developmental neurologist; the LEA classified him under Specific LD.

laurenpetro, how bad is bad? A lot of kids have lousy handwriting/printing these days. Most school offer a couple years around penmanship and the drop it as a "subject" in the intermediate grades. I always thought DS's printing sucked horribly until I started working with the scouts as a merit badge counselor and Eagle Coach- the majority of boys have pretty awful and very childish handwriting- even some of the really bright kids who were Merit Finalists printed like 2nd graders.

YMMV, but I found DS's printing improved over the years. It's not pretty, but it gets the job done as needed. He does tend to keyboard when he can. I have friends whose sons have dysgraphia along with their ASD who only ever used keyboards. One did even for math and high stakes testing. He's accomplished at art but can't write. He's got a PhD these days.

[darnkatz]

I was waiting at the bus stop with DD1. This older kid (who gives me... not good vibes) was setting crickets on fire with a lighter and laughing. At one point, he was laughing hard and said, "It smells like burning bodies." 

:?

[eponinepontmercy]

Sept 19, 2016 18:14:44 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

I'm really struggling with PPD. I finally had an appointment this week, but I guess the counselor just left on an unexpected medical leave. I was able to reschedule with someone else, but they can't see me until the middle of October.

I'm sorry you can't get the help you need.  If it gets serious, go to the emergency room.  You are not alone in your struggle - taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby.

Do you have family support?  

[laurenpetro]

Sept 20, 2016 6:30:00 GMT -5 auntie said:

phdprocrastinator , in most districts, a school psych will make the claim that dyslexia is a medical dx and must be made by a physician. DS has a dx from a developmental neurologist; the LEA classified him under Specific LD.

laurenpetro , how bad is bad? A lot of kids have lousy handwriting/printing these days. Most school offer a couple years around penmanship and the drop it as a "subject" in the intermediate grades. I always thought DS's printing sucked horribly until I started working with the scouts as a merit badge counselor and Eagle Coach- the majority of boys have pretty awful and very childish handwriting- even some of the really bright kids who were Merit Finalists printed like 2nd graders.

YMMV, but I found DS's printing improved over the years. It's not pretty, but it gets the job done as needed. He does tend to keyboard when he can. I have friends whose sons have dysgraphia along with their ASD who only ever used keyboards. One did even for math and high stakes testing. He's accomplished at art but can't write. He's got a PhD these days.

it's... bad. it's legible, but barely. far below where she should be in 6th.

aside from that she's super bright and she knows it. every teacher tells her this and it's clear they're not blowing smoke. one of her teachers called her "people smart" which is probably the best description I've ever heard of her.

I'm not against a keyboard program at all but I reflexively thought it would be counterproductive but maybe that's really what she needs? what does it entail? (i'll ask these questions of the school, obviously, but I want to have a good grasp before talking to them if possible.)

thank you!

[marriedfilingjoint]

Sept 19, 2016 18:14:44 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

I'm really struggling with PPD. I finally had an appointment this week, but I guess the counselor just left on an unexpected medical leave. I was able to reschedule with someone else, but they can't see me until the middle of October.

I'm so sorry. Do you have a mental health facility nearby with an emergency room? When I was told my first psychiatric appointment was 2 months out, they told me where my nearest mental health ER was and how to use it. I didn't end up needing it but I felt better knowing it was there.

[laurenpetro]

Sept 19, 2016 18:14:44 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

I'm really struggling with PPD. I finally had an appointment this week, but I guess the counselor just left on an unexpected medical leave. I was able to reschedule with someone else, but they can't see me until the middle of October.

I'm so sorry. can you go to your OB in the meantime?

[marriedfilingjoint]

Sept 20, 2016 9:15:32 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

Sept 19, 2016 18:14:44 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

I'm really struggling with PPD. I finally had an appointment this week, but I guess the counselor just left on an unexpected medical leave. I was able to reschedule with someone else, but they can't see me until the middle of October.

I'm so sorry. can you go to your OB in the meantime?

My midwives were a great resource in this department. <3