Hello to All,
I’ve been reading over many posts here and have the same circumstances. I am looking for answers and help as to what to do for my 14 yr. old son who the school has labeled as learning disabled (speciifcly SLD). I keep questioning myself as to whether he is getting the appropriate education. After several boutes with the school, they finally had him tested- finding he had a reading problem (amazing). We just went to his 3rd or 4th annual IEP meeting and felt like a major joke. The goals/etc. were already made up and we recieved a copy before the meeting. The goals they had set were decreased from a 80% accuracy for this year to an 75% accuracy for this upcoming year. Sounds like they want him to regress. Kyle has developed his reading problem I feel is due to a lack of basic phonetic skills in the 1st grade ( also which he repeated due to discovering later in the first year of 1st grade he needed glasses.) Holding him back another year we feel was a very bad mistake agreeing with the school reccomendation. The graduating class he is in now is a much bigger class with many troubled children (which is effecting my son’s attititude); even the teachers are having difficulties with these children that have all been labeled as LD. His reading ability was tested just recently and is at 5th grade level (is finishing up 7th grade). Reading does not seem to be improving and I fear the upcoming grade levels ahead of him. We have an older son who is gifted(advanced); so we are seeing how this school district is treating both sides of giftedness. Short falling on the students, I feel who need extra help. I’m hoping it’s not too late to help my son accelerate is reading ability. If anyone has any information or ideas, I would be greatful in hearing them.
Sincerely, Pamela
Re: In search of help for 14 yr. old son
I have coached kids this age, and no, it’s not too late. I’m a little behind on answering my email right now but please send me a note reminding me of your question and his age, and I’ll send you my how-to outlines.
Re: In search of help for 14 yr. old son
I certainly like PG, but I also know that I felt I did not have the skills to teach my son. I have gotten training and have learned so much, but I still feel that my son needs to be taught by an experienced teacher using a solid program. You are right to continue to search for help for your child. High school is approaching and you need a good plan to help him succeed and to graduate. So, you need some clear answers from school about why he is not making progress and what they have to offer to help him. You want individual or small group instruction in a research based reading program. You want an experienced teacher and frequent updates on progress. If you can afford an evaluation at a learning disabilities clinic that might give you some direction. I got good information from two books, “You don’t Have to be Dyslexic” by Joan Smith and the new wook “Overcoming Dyslexia” by Sally Shaywitz. Since your child is not making progress in his current program with his current IEP it is fair to express your concern and ask for specific information. What reading program are they using? How experience is the teacher? How much time does he actually get the program? What size group is the reading program delivered to?
Re: In search of help for 14 yr. old son
What I would strongly recommend for this age is PACE/MTC (http://www.learningskills.com), if you can afford it. (About $3,200 where I am.)
If you can’t afford PACE/MTC, then consider doing BrainSkills (same company, but a home version of the program) followed by MTC. (About $650 where I am.)
If that is still too expensive, consider Audiblox (http://www.audiblox2000.com) and Rewards (http://www.sopriswest.com). (This would be about $100 + $60.)
PG is worth a look too. It could be very helpful, but might not be enough for a 14yo already reading on a 5th grade level. Rewards takes up where PG leaves off.
One of the reasons I strongly recommend PACE/MTC, in spite of its cost, is that you would likely see a complete turn-around from it, and it can be completed over the summer.
One thing is for sure — relying on the school is highly unlikely to get your son’s needs met. Doing it yourself is the way to go.
Nancy
Re: In search of help for 14 yr. old son
Have him intensively tutored this summer, and request that the school retest next yr(?8th gr). Doing it yourself is the best way, don’t wait for the school to help, because he’d have to be years behind for them to get excited at his age. I would be very concerned if he’s going to high school in a year reading at a 5th grade level(and a year older than his peers)…did they give you test results in standard scores? Don’t use age or grade equivalents, esp. since he’s been retained once.
Re: In search of help for 14 yr. old son
I’d find a good tutor to work intensively, 1:1 with him during the summer. I personally have not known of school systems that remediate reading well late in the game — except ones where the teachers have realized that’s what’s needed and taken it into their own hands (and you know who you are — bravo! bravo!) I’m sure there are some out there… I’ve known more than one parent who pulled their kid out of school entirely for intensive remediation.
YOu want to have the kiddo with you on what you’re doing — how’s he feel about all this stuff? Is he motivated to read better or does he think there’s really no problem?
Are you near a good private school for LD kids? If you can make the school worried that you’d have a case for them to have to pay for private placement to teach what they could’t be bothered to, they might be willing to pay for “ESY” — “Extended School Year” with that intensive tutoring you found for them. (THey will not ever have done ESY with someone his age, and maybe not at all… somebody more familiar with advocacy would have a better grip on this angle.
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Re: In search of help for 14 yr. old son
Hi Pamela, Buy the book Reading Reflex and use it with your son. I have remediated over 100 kids using the Phono-Graphix method (many people on this site use it) and have used it for several high school kids who read at a pre-2nd grade level.
Yes, your son undoubtedly does not know the entire English written code. When he does, he will be elated. He’ll learn that he doesn’t need ridiculous rules that rarely work, etc. PG is fast; I remediate young kids in about 12 hrs. and the older ones take a little longer(why? they have lots of “stuff” I need to undo!)
Anyway, I go to another board daily and rarely come here, so if you want my help (no charge) e- me at my address and I’ll be there for you.
Also, most PG therapists charge $50 an hr., and if you can find one in your area, I highly recommend it. It’s fast and very inexpensive, especially when you see the results. We are listed on the ReadAmerica.net website.
Hope this helps.
Leslie in S.CA.
please go buy Reading Reflex or visit www.readamerica.net
teach yourself how to teach him reading, do not expect the school to do it, they are not trained to help kids who need instruction, period
yes, his phonemic skills are lacking, join the ReadNow group at yahoogroups.com
buy buy the book, cost about $11, fix your son yourself,
do not waste any more time hoping the school will help, remember, they cannot,
Phono-Graphix is the method outlined in the above book, simple straightforward, post to ReadNow for additional help,
where do you live, i have a PG training going in the Phila area june 5-9,
otherwise, visit readamerica.net and get yourself informed
read the FAQ for how to’s on how to teach reading
do not waste money on the other million programs and computer games on the market
the best bang for your buck is RR
libby