This is the last week of school for my son and I still haven’t ordered some of the books I want to use with him this summer!!! Yet, I’ve signed him up for a couple of “camps” and I’ve been having him balance and toss bean bags twice a day (is anyone else doing this?).
I’m curious to hear what everyone else is doing with their kids this summer. What kind of remediation and/or what type of fun activities do you have planned? (Beth, I know you’re doing SS!!!!)
I plan to use “Rewards” and “Step Up to Writing” this summer. I was able to borrow Rewards from work and copy a few chapters…but I still plan to purchase these books. Also, my son finally had a Neuropsychological Evaluation recently! I have an appointment to get the results this week. I’m very curious because I’ve spent three years trying to figure him out and still don’t fully know what’s going on. The Neuropsych made a couple of interesting comments and indicated that the testing appeared to be leading to some answers. I’m hoping this will help me zero in on some effective remediation this summer.
Anyhow, enough about me! I’d like to hear what everyone else is doing.
Laura in CA
Re: Summer remediation & fun ~ What are you doing?
Hi Victoria,
Good luck in getting more students! If we lived nearby I’d sign my son up with you. Today we got my son’s diagnosis. And, apparently he is going to need much more help than just reading. The neuropsych feels he needs to start language therapy this summer (3x a week!).
It’s nice to finally have an answer, my son is now “formally” diagnosed with high functioning autism and a reading and language disability. This shouldn’t be a surprise to me. I’ve always had a suspicion, but to have it confirmed…well, I’m a little suprised and sad. I’m also a little angry with myself for not confirming this sooner and getting him help earlier. Oh well….
Laura in CA
Re: Summer remediation & fun ~ What are you doing?
Dear Laura,
Don’t be so hard on yourself! I know you are a great mom because you have worked so hard to help your son and found some great programs for him.
Remember, he is not the testing and the labels don’t change who he is in his heart of hearts - his very essence!
I personally found hearing the results of testing devastating and getting report cards and IEP’s throw me off balance too. I’m starting to recognize it now and get support to help me remember at these times that tests are tests and I love my son no matter what as I know you do too.
All parents have to let go of their expections and dreams of who they thought their child was going to be. Those of us with kids with challenges go through the grief of this more often and more quickly. Most often, these hopes are unconscious and we don’t even know we have them. The pain is from holding on to them. In Joan of Arcadia, the mother visits a priest because her son is in a wheelchair from an accident and she can’t keep up a happy face. He asks her if she’s familiar with the five stages of grief. She’s says but my son didn’t die. And then, he tells her, that a famous philosopher says - the most painful state of being is remembering the future, especially if it’s a future that you can’t have.
So, be sad if you need to and then, get curious of the special gifts your son has to share. I know that you will continue to help him maximize his potential.
Take good care, Caran (Jason’s mom)
summer reading for you Laura
Laura,
I have just received a new book: The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads into a Cogent Theory by Judith Bluestone. I think it will give you lots of HOPE and ideas on how to help your son. Judith is a brilliant woman who started out her life autistic due to high levels of pesticide exposure (Her father was a chemist and brought home all kinds of stuff; in those days they didn’t understand the neurotoxicity of these chemicals.)
You can order this book from amazon.com or the Handle Institute.
Linda[/i]
Re: Summer remediation & fun ~ What are you doing?
Thanks Caran and Linda for the kind and wise words. Linda, I will definitely order that book. The neuropsych recommended “Our Journey through High Functioning Autism and Aspergers Syndrome,” by Linda Andron, and Temple Grandow’s (I think that’s the spelling her handwriting is difficult to read!) “Thinking in Pictures.” The one you’ve recommended sounds very good.
You’re right Caran, my son really isn’t any different and having the diagnosis just confirms there’s another layer to my son’s learning difficulties. It also helps explain why some of the programs may not be as effective as they could have been. I will just have to do further research and “tweak” my remediation plans.
And don’t grieve for what isn’t, but learn to appreciate what is.
Laura in CA
summer reading
Laura,
The author that was recommended to you is Temple Grandin.
Since posting my first message earlier today, I have read several chapters of Judith Bluestone’s book. It is a pageturner! It will give you many new ways to look at and address your son’s issues!
Linda
Re: Summer remediation & fun ~ What are you doing?
I am still debating up to the last minute on whether to do Fast ForWord Language with my child. I finished the provider training a week ago, before we went on vacation.
I take LiPS training next week, primarily because I want all the LMB trainings (I have alreay taken Seeing Stars, V/V, and On Cloud Nine Math). I have had good sucess teaching the alphabetic code with Phono-Graphix. Automatic word recognition and fluency are much harder to develop. I am tutoring one dyslexic boy this summer and I will mainly use Seeing Stars while his mom uses the fluency program Quick Reads at home. I am also using Quick Reads with my own child. Her reading is not terribly delayed. Hers is more of a language-based LD actually. Her vocabulary and comprehension are effected. Even when you are knowlegable about reading disorders, it is not always easy to decide on the best course of action.
Janis
Re: Summer remediation & fun ~ What are you doing?
Hi Janis,
Good luck to you if you decide to do Fast Forword! Although it seems to me if you’ve done the providor training you may as well use it. I read about quick reads on another post, it sounds like a good program. I may try to buy some of the books…although summer is here so I really need to get started right away!
I’m thinking of trying to create some type of intensive language program for my son. I wish I was an SLP because it would be MUCH easier!
Laura in CA
Well, I’m frantically trying to find enough students to make ends meet …
The majority of my students don’t mind their tutoring sessions too much (there was the one oppositional kid who hated everything with a passion, but outside of that), they usually enjoy our reading together, and I make a point of trying to schedule around other activities so they don’t miss any fun stuff.
Good luck with your projects.