Hi!
A little background:
My 6.10 year old daughter has been identified in both K and now 1 as not working to potential. She is reading and writing at a beginning K level. We’ve evaluated her for ADD and come back with a positive diagnosis for ADHD:inattentive type.
IAT is Monday.
We paid to have her privately tested, knowing that the school would most likely not get to any sort of testing until AT LEAST the end of the year. Results are back and she’s of superior intellect (I really like saying that! *grin*) but has a large gap between that and her achievement scores in the fluency areas and reading/writing skills.
Had issue with the school already and feel that there will be resistance to helping her out, but not resigned to that as of yet.
We are seriously considering a trial of Strattera to help the ADHD.
My sister in law is a school psychologist and an invaluable resource.
I work for my children’s pediatricain and am blessed to have that resource available to me.
I am thankful that we’ve gotten a lot of info on her quickly and am hoping to get her qualified for services.
Even with all my contacts and availability of resources, I find that I am still at a loss. I am on a quest for as much information as I can cram into my brain! I need to be prepared, coherent and articulate this coming week and in the years to come. I welcome any and all info that can be sent my way, names of books, names of websites…..
Thanks so much!
jenn
Re: Newly Diagnosed and gathering information
Nancy has given you the basic very good ideas that we tend to toss around on this board. I would just reiterate that these kids can be complex and what looks like a diagnosis and answer may or may not really be the whole story. Did she have a complete neuropsych evaluation? Who made the diagnosis? Were there other areas of weakness?
The one thing I’ve learned from the parents on this board is that the academic remediation works a whole lot better if the underlying sensory/motor issues have been addressed.
Keep us posted!
(ps, we are also considering a straterra trial so I’d love to hear how that decision evolves for you….)
Re: Newly Diagnosed and gathering information
I recommend the book “Overcoming Dyslexia” by Sally Shaywitz, a noted researcher. It is a very current book that finally makes recommendations bases upon the latest research. Another favorite is “You Don’t Have to Be Dyslexic” by Joan Smith. Many school districts are improving the services they provide, so do ask. It is very important that teachers providing services are well-trained, experienced and have the materials and support to teach your child. My district actually has one-to-one instruction in a clinic type setting. We use Lindamood Bell programs, plus others and we also provide Fast ForWord (www.scilearn) and The Listening Program to try to improve auditory processing skills. There are lots of $2000 programs out there, so you have to choose wisely and if your district provides some of them you are fortunate. I am a special ed teacher and my gifted/ld son is now 16 years old. We did some services privately, fought his district for some services. Finally, we moved and placed him in a private school where he is getting ready for college. Educate yourself (which you are doing), preserve the well being of you child, yourself and your family. Remember this website as a place where people understand.
Re: Newly Diagnosed and gathering information
Love the shaywitz book. the research in the book is the basis for my son’s curriculum, and they are bring her and her husband in to speak.
The thing that struck me from that book was the length of time she says a child needs remediation if they have any chance of closing the gap with their peers. Something like a minimum of 3 hours of intensive remediation every day for 3 years…
The book “Reading Reflex” by McGuiness is a good place to start. Your library may have it. Otherwise, it’s less than $20 at bookstores.
Your medical insurance will probably cover a complete speech and language evaluation by a speech pathologist, which should include a screen for auditory processing disorders and a test of phonemic awareness (Lindamood Bell LAC is a good one).
You also may want to check into developmental vision delays, which often go undiagnosed. See http://www.childrensvision.com
An occupational therapy evaluation should also be covered by medical insurance. This would either identify or rule out sensory integration problems. It can also provide clues about whether auditory or visual processing should be checked out.
Problems in any of the above areas can add to symptoms of ADD.
In general, schools are very poorly equipped to provide appropriate interventions. You may want to focus your energies on direct remediation and simply work with the school for provision of helpful accommodations.
A good home program appropriate for a 6yo is Audiblox (http://www.audiblox2000.com ) — works on developing attentions skills, among others.
Nancy