vision therapy??

I’d get a second opinion. My son did vision therapy and it did help but I am suspicious of bifocals for a child that age and how he could be a fluent reader above grade level with significant vision issues.

Beth

Hi Beth from FL.

I am suspicious too. We had a 4th visit to the educational Psyc. yesterday and I questioned her regarding this. She believes he has these vision issues and they need to be addressed.

I just made an appointment with a Pediatric Opthamologist, and before I commit to anything I’ll get a second opion with another educational optomotrist.

There are more things going on besides this. We are seeing a Developmental Behavioral Neurologist in August. So I won’t be doing anything till then.

I’m glad you were successful with the therapy.These message boards are filled with many caring parents with so much knowledge to share.

Thanks again!

Well, I thought I’d let anyone know that reads the initial message that we went to the Pediatric Opthmologist yesterday. He examined my son and stated the he should have never been put in bifocals and he does not need vision therapy, that it is a complete rip off!

It’ sooo confusing! If I talk to the educational optomotrist he’ll say “They don’t understand how the brain and the eyes work together” It’s also what the educational psychologist says as well. But the Pediatric Opthamologist has more education with disorders and diseases of the eyes.AHHHHHH!

Oh well, my continued search for answers continue!

The other thing to keep in mind is that we all have weaknesses. If he reads fluently above grade level, then his visual weaknesses, such as they are, are not influencing his reading. He may indeed have them but I wouldn’t say they are a big deal.

I have learned the name of every weakness I have through my journey with my LD son. They have not unduly hampered me. But in combination with other weakenesses, my son has been much more handicapped.

Why did you take him to the developmental optometrist if he was reading well? In other words, what are the issues you see that led you to consult experts?

Beth

Hi Beth from FL

My son was in 2nd grade this past year. (he skipped 1st grade) I regret that decision and we sought out profession guidance regarding it. He started school with horrible handwriting and unable to put thought to paper, but could verbally go on and on. Understandably so.

Teacher thought by mid year he would catch up, but he did not. He was also having concentration and focusing problems. I noticed his eyes were blood shot at the end of the day and he had headaches. This is what took me to the optomotrist and the Educational Psychologist.

The Educational Psychologist says he has vision perception problem and language processing problems. We never thought of LD’s because he is highly gifted in a highly gifted school, and doing well academically. 4th grade math and reading comprehension at 12+ and pulling 90’s.

There are other issues as well but I won’t go into the history. We have seen 2 Neurologists and 4 Psychiatrists all with different diagnoses and different treatment (meds). We tried them with adverse side effects. He currently takes 5mg Adderal once to twice daily.It curbs the behavior but not the innattention. Higher doses cause side effects.

We have tried Fiengold (some success), Dr. Doris Rapp elininaton diet (some success), allergy skin test (no success), blood tests for mineral deficiencies (didn’t know what to do with them once I had them) Herbal remedy, Social skills classes weekly, Behavior mod. Noticed positive behavior changes with the elimination of artificial dyes and presevatives.

Went to a Holistic Allergist who did comprehensive blood, stooland urine testing. Found he was allergic/sensitive to 27 different food items, had yeast in his intestines, leaky gut syndrome which caused deficiencies in all amino acids. After eliminating all sensitive food items , getting rid of the yeast and adding supplements, EFA’s etc… He has increased appetitie, no more stomach aches, better bowel movements and for the first time in his life breathe in and out his nose. No more chronic rhinitis!!

I’ve noticed some positive changes in attention and behavior. But still not enough to sustain independently in the classroom.

I believe he has ADHD. The Educational Psyc. says no was it’s learning disabilities. I’m not convinced.

So we are headed to Arizona to see a Developmental Behavioral Neurologist in August. I am hopefully. My husband skeptical.

I wish there was a blood test. Everything else seems so subjective.

Sorry so long I guess I needed to vent.

What type of LD’s did your son have and what did you do?

Thanks!

My son has a long list of diagnosis including ADHD-inattentive. He is def. LD. Your son may have a LD in writing. It isn’t uncommon with kids with attention issues. But that is a big difference between visual perceptual issues. One thing we did that made a big difference was interactive metronome. Your son might be a year too young (I am going to wait until my youngest is 8 to do it with him—he is def. more hyper). My middle son, the LD one, did it when he was nine. It helped both attention and handwriting for him. Before he did it IM, he couldn’t write a structured paragraph to save his life. AFterwards he could. It was like he had absorbed the instruction but output problems interfered. And we were going to try meds with him and it wasn’t necessary afterwards.

It wasn’t a cure all for writing issues or anything. My son still can’t remember to capitalize the first word of a sentence. But it made a big difference.

Typing may also make a big difference for your son. It also doesn’t seem to be unusual for gifted kids to have difficulties with output.

Beth

Hi Beth from FL

I have seen alot of parent messages about Interactive Metronome on the boards all with very positive results. I’m going to look into it, I found a provider close by. I’ll call as well to get more info. Thanks!

I did get my son 2 different typing programs, one a little more fun then the other. He would much rather play something else, but he has to do typing before other computer games.

I’ve also seen some messages from parents regarding Dance, Dance , Dance Revolution, do you know anything about that? I ordered Handwriting without tears, he would much rather do cursive than print, we pratice daily.

From your experience have you found other effective methods ?

I appreciate your input!
Thanks, taximom

I bought my children Dance Dance REvolution for Christmas. They did it a lot for awhile but haven’t done it recently. My son got decent at it but I don’t think he would have without doing IM first.

I make my son practice typing too. Dance Revolution is more of a game. If they can do it, I think it is very integrative. But if they can’t, it is harder to get them to do it than therapy. At least that they know isn’t supposed to be fun!!!

Beth

Beth

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions and comments. I have learned so much on these message boards from such caring parents like you. I wish you continued success with your family. If I have any questions I hope you won’t mind if I ask.

Thanks again!

taximom

www.visionandlearning.org

Make sure and start by reading the section titled “What is Vision”. This site has great information.

My son (12 y.o. 7th grade) was diagnosed last year with a LD - specifically a visual processing deficit.

Opthamologists and Optometrists will not see eye to eye (chuckle chuckle). They just have two different mind sets. IMO, you should go and visit a couple or maybe try a couple visits with your child or speak with other parents that have taken their children to that particular doctor and see what they say.

There are many different visual processing deficits one can have. One may be treatable, another may not be.

If there is the possibilty of a treatment fixing or alleviating some of the problem and without causing them pain or discomfort; I am all for trying it. If it does not work, I can cross it off my list and no longer wonder….well..if I had tried that…maybe it would have helped. Or find out later, that was just what he needed. I hope that makes sense.

Kristin