My 7 year son has received a speech/language evaluation from school. The SLT reported he was average/below average on several language components. He only “qualifies” for assistance on his extremely low score of following verbal directions (5 with average of 10). He also had problems re-telling a story in the right sequence. He is starting language therapy twice a week at school.
He is an excellent reader but it is all sight words. He knows letters make sounds but can’t seem to use that information to sound out words. I am concerned that his reading will start to fall behind without that skill. He used to say what? a lot — I had his hearing tested in past because of this. He is sensitive to loud noises but that is getting better (maybe because we have practiced some coping skills). He is a visual learner. I think he is quite bright but am concerned that his auditory language tests are so far below his current academic performance.
When I asked about CAPD, the SLT said it didn’t matter she would do the same therapy and he really wasn’t that bad. Our ped sent him to audiologist who just did a comprehensive hearing exam. I think he needs a CAPD screening - ped says that it is “semi-experimental”. Nobody seems to know if it would be useful to have the screening.
My goal is to figure out what kind of therapy he can do during the summer at home or privately (school system will not do anything). He hates being pulled out of class and anything we can do during the less stressful summer time would be positive for him.
Any ideas? suggestions?
Re: CAPD? (longish)
Here are two other good CAPD sites that may provide you with additional information.
http://www.theshop.net/campbell/central.htm
http://www.iser.com/caparticle.html
Re: CAPD? (longish)
You sound like me about three years ago. My son was diagnosed with a language disorder, probably CAPD after being tested by both an audiologist and a LD specialist working in tandem. We did Fast ForWord (www.scientificlearning.com) which helped with the processing problems. (Very few “huhs”, seemed to understand what people were saying to him much more - before it was like he was in a cloud.) However, his reading was still lacking. So we put him through Lindamood Bell (www.lindamoodbell.com) for one summer. This is very intensive (4 hours a day) and very expensive. But their belief is intensive therapy is needed. This made sense to me because my school had told me that their program would take 5 years … eight weeks versus five years, hmmm.
Lindamood Bell changed my child’s life! Without it, I fear he would have turned into one of those kids who doesn’t care about learning because he’d feel “he doesn’t get it and no one is helping.” He is now in fifth grade (three years after therapy), no longer qualifies for LD, makes the A-B honor roll every six weeks, made A honor roll two times, has tremendous confidence and read all 4 Harry Potter books by himself. This is just one example. I realize different and less expensive approaches are available. Good luck.
Re: CAPD? (longish)
Ruth, Did your son do LMB V/V? I posted below for feedback on the intensive V/V but didn’t receive responses. My son is signed up for it starting Monday and I am really hoping it will help solve the problems that remain after FFW 1 (very helpful) and FFW 2 (somewhat less helpful) and years of conventional language therapy. My high hopes for improvement are mingled with extreme apprehension because if the V/V doesn’t work I feel we will simply have run out of options. If your son did do V/V could you give me some examples of “before and after” to encourage me along? Thank you.
Go to http://pages.cthome.net/cbristol/capd-rf1.html and do a search for CAPD audiologists in your area. If there is one associated with a university or major medical center, choose that one first (they tend to be up on all the latest research). Call the audiologist’s office and explain that you want a CAPD screening for your son. Usually they can tell you what you need to do to get coverage under your medical insurance. If you can’t get coverage, it’s still worth paying out of pocket for this evaluation.
It is not still “semi-experimental” or audiologists at major universities would not be carrying out these evaluations. Your pediatrician is behind the times in this area (most physicians are).
You really need the CAPD audiologist, because this is the only professional with the training to determine the exact nature and severity of the problems. Different CAPD problems respond to different therapies and to different educational approaches.
If your son tests as having the “decoding” subtype of CAPD, put him through FastForWord. Many audiologists will not actually recommend FFW because of the lack of independent research data verifying its effectiveness, but it’s very likely to significantly help this kind of CAPD. You can do FFW yourself at home over the summer. Best way to do this is to become certified as a provider yourself. (The company sells a self-training tutorial for $100.)
Other types of CAPD respond to other sound therapies. The problem with hyper-sensitivity to certain sounds is typical of an auditory problem that often responds well to AIT and other similar therapies.
While you’re at it, you may want to get an evaluation by an occupational therapist trained in sensory integration. Sensory integration disorder is a common byproduct of CAPD and responds well to appropriate therapy. Schools do not typically provide this level of OT, however.
Mary