We faced that same dilemma 2 years ago how in the world could we afford an intensive educational therapy program. Only difference is that I am trained in almost all of LMB programs but our daughter refused to work with me because she was going through a stage. Where are you located in the US?
I was just a clueless parent when I got my initial training 4 years ago in LiPS & Seeing Stars by Phyllis Lindamood herself and VV by Paul Worthington of LMB. I went back 2 years ago to get advanced training in LiPS. During that period of time I was able to help my daughter when she would work with me and tutored other children with LD’s. I more than made back my money that I had invested in my training.
We were looking at spending $20K at a LMB center with NO PROMISE that it would be enough. So we elected to drive to a private learning center that used LMB methods and PACE where I could also work. In addition, this learning center charged much less per hour so it cut our cost to about $10K and now our daughter is mainstreamed in public school.
You don’t have to be a teacher to get the training by LMB. LiPS is probably the hardest program to pick up for most people. I can see the strong phonetics/speech pathology background in the LiPS program as I am completing my coursework to become a speech path. VV is really easy to pick up and so is Seeing Stars. In addition, you can purchase the videos if you don’t want to pay for full fledged training.
Perhaps you have a tutor or teacher who would be interested in learning the LMB techniques? I originally was planning on paying for my daughter’s tutor’s LMB training but she couldn’t go so I decided to do it myself. I would have never decided to change my career if it hadn’t been for my LMB training. I have used it over and over again and now that our daughter is older she will work with me again.
It isn’t a Rocket Science by any means. If you have any more questions you can e-mail me.
Patti
Re: In reply to Laura
I learned only the basics of the Lindamood program. I also had the help of a dyslexia tutor who knew Lindamood and had experience and good advice. (Also, used the services of Sue Jones, resourceroom.net, who kept me sane and on the right track.) I pulled my then 12 year old son out of school (reading and 1st grade level and beginning to have serious secondary emotional probs) for most of 6th grade. (He also had just completed FastForWord which we felt was worth every penny because it was the catalyst for him). Anyway we homeschooled intensively in language and kept up on the other stuff (used Math-U-See and my own compilation of social studies, science and art). When he went back to school in 7th, he could read and function.
It probably wasn’t what a private 4 year program could have done, but his social needs of being in the community and figuring it out himself were also as valuable.
There are a lot of creative ways to provide our kids with what they need. I guess it also helped having the attitude that these kids are not disabled. Rather they are built for a different perspective and that that perspective is equally valid and necessary in our world.
My son is now 15 and doing pretty well. Our expectations for him are high and he is responding to the idea that maybe he is really smart and that he can do a lot of this and maybe he can achieve his dreams.
Re: In reply to osinski
Wow Osinski!
Sure have come a long way, wouldn’t you say?!!! I’m so glad to hear you report from this perspective. It is soooooooo hard to comprehend when you are in the middle of the mailstrom and nothing seems to be working right. I’m really happy for you and your son, and your homeschooling efforts have paid off. Your tenacity and perseverence are proof positive that parents can have a positive influence on their children’s education (tongue placed firmly in cheek). There is so much to be said for taking the bull by the horns and simply doing what needs to be done. I remember some extremely painful posts, and it’s just great to hear/read how well your son is doing. Congratulations.
Andy
I’ve asked this elsewhere, but it seems appropriate here, also. I would give anything to find an LMB tutor in the Pittsburgh, PA area. I can’t afford sending my son to the Philly center and would consider being trained myself, but my son wouldn’t work with me either - 13 yrs old.