Fast Forword

i am just starting to look into that one as well.
another one that has been recommended is EAROBICS.

I have done Fast Forword with 2 children. One it seemed to help a lot, she even said she found it much easier to follow class instruction. The other child we saw very little improvement, even the tutor said she saw no difference. Do a search on this bulletin board using the key words Fast Forward and you will see what others have had to say (also try a search on the teaching reading board). Fast Forward alone will not teach the child to read, you must also provide extensive tutoring in phonemic awareness. If the school is providing it for free, by all means do it, if you have to pay thousands of dollars yourself, I think the money is better spent on one on one tutoring.

I work for a school district who has put over 100 students through the Phase I and II of FF. Our speech/language specialists claim that only 2% have not benefitted at all and most have benefitted at least 20% in their auditory processing and expressive language. It is seeming to me as I check into it more, that when 2 pre-requisites are met the improvement chances rise. These being (1)a realization that you have a deficit and want to improve and (2) that you are of age to gain the most from the program. This is not researched, just an observation. I agree with Annie, if the school offers the program- Go for it! It isn’t going to hurt. Just know that if you begin the program, know what the research says about behavior changes about 1/2 into the program and don’t get frustrated and quit early.
Something I’m looking for is info on Discovery Language for LD students and Rhythmic Writing for LD students. Anyone have any information can let me know. Thanks!

i have sent notes to the fast forword company and they haven’t responded to me.
my son can read but the audiologist seems to think that this might help him learn to ignore the background noises.
any thoughts?

For what is worth, my son did FFW with significant gains in receptive language and memory. It did not help him ignore background noises. He still gets agitated at loud restaurants for examples.

Beth

If his problem is CAPD and phonemic awareness he might need LIPS a Lindamood-Bell program which teaches him to feel the sounds that letters make in his mouth. (Try finding a tutour or consider sending a local teacher to the teaching workshop since the clinic sessions are extremely expensive (about $12 K for 6-8 weeks vs about $1200 to train someone who can then help other kids. Even better if you can share expenses with 2-3 other parents.) Earobics is about $65.00 for the CD. Other programs to research are Audiblox, Nueronet, Tomatis, TLP (the listening Program or is it language program.) All of these have been discussed on previous threads and apply to CAPD. As another poster aptly put it figuring out our kids is like trying to put together a 1800 piece puzzle wo the box lid. Might as well do a search for all of these before you decide on FF.

problem is just capd- no difficulties with reading and spelling and writing that relate to this.
background noises and interference are the problem. how do you like earobics?
charlene

Earobics 1 and 2 both have memory exercises that introduce background noise. Perhaps this would be helpful. Personally, not sure how FFW would help.

Beth

Hi, can’t believe I just wote a post and lost it. Trying to recap. There was a thread back in March on teaching reading, I think, about TLP and Tomatis. It seems like paretns were wanting to try it for cognitive changes and some paretns said they’d done so successfully but audiologists saying it would only help kids with background noise sort of probs not nuerological. If so these might be more useful to you than FF. You might try a search and also check out the technology board on this bb for accommodations in the classroom- which you should be able to get your school to provide. Main advice don’t jump at the first thing. As others have wished -if only there was a professional we could go to and just ask what do we do…. Unfortunately since each kid is unique and tests are subjective parents often have to get involved to figure them out since who else knows them better? Good luck.

We did The Listening Program with success but I didn’t see any changes in speech in noise. Now my son does test normal for speech in noise on CAPD batteries. His problems appear to be more related to integration issues which is probably different than your son. My son also didn’t respond positively to having a FM system put in his classroom. He just held his ears. Sigh. Every kid is so different it seems.

Still, I agree with UKmum that sound therapies might be more appropriate for your child than Fastforward.

Beth

thanks for the thoughts. i am hearing that the FF isn’t necessarily what we want. I am trying to get more infor on earobics-see if the company writes me back.
i am hopeful with the fm system. i have one in the class that i teach in and the kids and i love it! it is a big speaker in the middle of the room and it really helps them focus on my voice. my son will have to use a personal system because he is in an open area classroom. another boy in the room also uses it and there hasn’t been any teasing which is very positive!
i am hoping that i can find some way to build his skills before he goes to junior high in a few years. he will be staying in regular classes for all grades and subjects. seems our system is quite a bit different than in the states. we live in alberta!
any more thoughts are appreciated.
charlene

Charlene, my oldest son used earobics both in school and at home it has made a big difference. The home version is not that expensive and we find it easy to use. We have the version for olders students as my son is 13 he does not find it to be childish at all, as a matter of fact he enjoys some of the “games.”

do you have step 2 or the one for adolescents and adults?

We have the step 2, he did the 1st Earobics with the school. We noticed a significant improvement in my son using this program.

thanks
from what i have heard that seems to be the one to try!
at least it is relatively cheap.
i am checking if the school board can purchase it. i have a few students who would benefit as well.
charlene