How is PACE going for those of you are doing it now with your kids. We are in week 4.
I haven’t noticed anything concrete that he is doing better that I can really describe well. But, our son does seem to be acting more mature these days. I also think I am getting less complaining from him for other things
I ask, like taking out the trash. I feel like I do not have to remind him
as many times to do things.
He also does not wiggle and fidget as much in his sessions as he did in the
beginning. I am pretty strict about that. I’m trying to teach him that his
wiggles are distracting his mind. I hope this is the right approach. I
don’t want it to be counter-productive. I’m sure it requires an effort
on his part JUST to stay still. Staying still is not automatic for him. I
might need to play frozen statues with him some. But, I think it is good
practice for him to maintain good posture and still feet & hands any time we
are at the table working.
During the AP exercises, I’ve been so proud of how he will concentrate and
maintain his control, even when I am working hard to distract him. I tell
him that I am going to try to bounce him off the bus. He likes that
challenge. I really like to see this level of self-control and concentration.
He’s able to recite the presidents great both forwards and backwards. We just tried the exercise where he draws his own mnemonic yesterday. I think that is going to be a helpful strategy for him when school starts, along with the exercise where they recite spelling words forwards and backwards.
How is it going for everyone else? I won’t be able to check the board again until Sunday. But, I want to hear everyone else’s story then. And I can share more of our own.
- Rosie
PACE interruptions
Hi gk,
We certainly had our share of interrruptions during PACE training. I took them as a much needed break for both of us and just picked up where we left off when we got back on schedule. Occasionally, there would be a slight regression but it usually took only one session to get back to where we left off.
Blessings, momo
PACE improvements
Greetings Rosie,
Have you been asking your son if he notices any improvements? My daughter noticed some improvements within herself before I did.
Blessings, momo
Re: PACE improvements
My son says it is easier to practice his guitar. He also says it is easier to concentrate and stay on-beat. I’m not sure if his second comment is something he thought up on his own or not. I’m relieved to hear that interruptions during PACE didn’t throw you off-track. We’ve taken a 4 day break while I took a 4 day sabbatical from motherhood at a quiet retreat by myself. My husband took care of all 3 kids. Bless him. We start school on Wednesday and I am feeling the anxious stress of a new school year. Have a good week everyone.
- Rosie
Re: PACE improvements
Dear Rosie,
Our son has LD spec. Ed school 4 years now, and never a word about Pace, Brainbuilders,or Nacd. He reads at a 1-2 grade level. He is able to learn through his ears as if he is blind and wants more than anything to read!! Pleasssse let me know how I can find out about these systems.
I apprreciate your time!
Phyllis
Re: PACE improvements
Most schools have not heard of these programs.
PACE stands for Processing and Cognitive Enhancement. It is an intensive 12-week program of cognitive trianing.Website is http://www.learninginfo.com
BrainBuilders 3.0 is a CD-ROM that can be used with a computer to provide exercises for auditory and visual short-term memory and sequencing. Website is http://www.advancedbrain.com
NACD website is http://www.nacd.org. I think NACD is more suitable for younger children with major developmental delays.
Have you taken your son to a developmental optometrist? A child unable to learn visually often has developmental vision delays. These are not detected in regular eye exams. A developmental vision evaluation includes about 20 tests of visual function not included in a regular eye exam. When there are developmental vision problems, vision therapy often helps. If money is an issue, make sure before you visit that the developmental optometrist is willing to design and supervise a primarily home-based program of vision therapy. Most will, but some will do only in-office therapy, which makes it considerably more expensive. You can find developmental optometrists at http://www.covd.org. You might want to also check out http://www.vision3d.com for information about vision and vision therapy.
I also highly recommend that you get the book “Reading Reflex” for $16 at most bookstores, and start tutoring your son at home in reading. My daughter, who has severe congenital astigmatism and had severe developmental delays at the time, learned to read this way.
Mary
Hi Rosie,
I just love your reports in. I think our boys are about at the same week of PACE. You give some good suggestions on how I should be handling the homework sessions with my son. He also fidgets and squirms, especially when he is doing the directional exercises. And I’ve tried (without much success) to distract him while he is doing an exercise, but I will keep trying.
My son is currently away at camp and then we have a family camping trip for next week. Is there anyone out there who has had these “interruptions” during PACE? Any suggestions?