In VT, has processing speed problems what's next?

PACE works directly on processing speed, using a metronome. It doesn’t work well if there are still sensory-motor issues present to any great extent. IM is more sensory motor based and should be done before PACE, if you were going to do both.

Beth

And I would just add that Audiblox and PACE are both cognitive training programs, so you would do one or the other but not both.

Of the two, Audiblox is more suitable for someone with severe developmental delays because it starts with exercises a preschooler can do. PACE, in my opinion, is better for anyone who functions on about an 8yo level or higher (which it sounds as if your son does). I am assuming the slowness is in all things academic, and in other ways he does not exhibit slowness (movements, speech, thinking). If this is the case, PACE would be a great follow-up to VT.

As Beth said, if you were to do both IM and PACE, you would definitely want to do IM first. IM is actually a very good precursor to PACE. However, a child can get overloaded with therapies. You might want to have an IM evaluation done to determine if it would be that useful. If his scores are way out, then definitely do IM. If they’re in the average range or better, you might want to skip IM and go directly into PACE.

Nancy

Chris, your son sounds alot like mine so I am very inaterested to hear what you decide. When we finish VT (hopefully in january) I plan to try to get him involved in tai kwon doe, or something like that that is not a therapy per se. He is not medicated , and could use some help self-regulating his behavior. I think it will decrease stress too.

But for the summer I am researching audioblox and PACE. Keep us posted.

I want my son to start PACE after the holidays. There are no providers near me so I am thinking of becoming a provider. I know others in my area who want this as well.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Based on your feedbeack I am thinking PACE is the way to go. Based on age and develpoment. I am having trouble “googling” it. As PACE or P.A.C.E. all I get is my Alma Mater and a chemical comp? Help.

Karen-
My DS has been in Karate since K (2nd time around at 6 1/2) @ 2 1/2 years. He is now a child’s brown belt , has helped his self control a bit
(no miracles) and has done tons for his self esteem. I think this is easier than other sports, in general, because of the visual spacial issues. We have always referred to him as “physically cautious” now I think it is because he’s not all that comfortable in his body/space. I’d highly recommend martial arts.

I’ll keep you all posted. As always thanks.

PACE website is http://www.processingskills.com

You need to email them to find providers in your area.

You might want to mention that they are hard to find on Google. I remember I had the same difficulty years ago when I first heard about them. Their tech person needs to know!

Nancy

thanks Nancy…and no I never would have searched under “processingskills” just from a business standpoint you’d think they’d do beter.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Hi
As a parent who has been there/done that over the past 5 years for my now 11 year old dyslexic son, I have one overriding piece of advice. Whatever you do, get a good evaluation from a reputable professsional (developmental pediatrician, neurologist, etc). Heed his/her advice. It is very tempting to sign onto programs that sound good with interesting stories from parents who have tried them. Please select programs with a scientific basis and that have been proven over a period of time.

PACE (and a good many other programs you will see mentioned on this bulletin board) sound good and may have looked like they helped a child, but have no science behind them. I know. I wasted a lot of money (and time, which is much more important for my son, and probably for your child as well) on the PACE program. We wasted an entire summer when I could have had him getting real reading tutoring at Lindamood Bell or the like. If processing speed is the issue, I would practice fundamental academic skills that enhance processing for those areas which are weak (times tables, repeated reading practice and the like). IMHO, naming and rotating shapes is interesting, but ddidn’t translate into better pre and post scores (virtually identical).If I can be of further help, just post a response. Kathleen

Kathleen,
I’m curious about what your pediatrician and/or neurologist told you that was helpful. The one discipline we haven’t consulted with is a neurologist, because our belief was that he’d just be confirming what we already know ie, that there is a neurological basis for DS’s issues. Did you get practical advice?

Thanks!

KathleenW,

My philosophy is very much like yours!

Janis

I had my son to two different neurologists, who both shied away from school issues. When I got frustrated with the second one (after nixing the first) and asked what we were supposed to do to get my son a good education if she refused to write letters to the school system, she suggested we sell our lovely home, move to an area where it is twice as expensive to live, and enroll him in a private school that cost $30,000 per year. That was the last time we saw her.

My son’s pediatrician (fourth since we started this mess) didn’t really have any educational advice, either - but he does know his meds. It was’t until we met him that my son finally got on the right combination of meds to help him. The pediatrician is also very willing to write referrals for different therapies, etc. to get the insurance company to pay for them - and then wants feedback so he can tell his other patients about them.

They are all different.

Lil

To a certain extent, if you have a complicated child , there is an element of trial and error to all of this. And of course hindsight.

If we had known how difficult and stubborn the reading issue was going to be we would have perhaps, skipped speech therapy in 1st grade in favor of a an OG tutor. Who knew? And since we’ve avoided meds so far, there is a chance we may look back at some point and wish we had tried them . You do the best you can!

I totally agree with Karen N. that there is an element of trial and error involved, if you have a complicated child. And mine is!! I think this board is a great way to help you make more informed decisions.

I will also share the most important thing I wish I knew earlier. If you don’t make progress after a reasonable amount of time, try something else. I beat my and my son’s head a few too many times. A lot of therapies get at the same thing in a different way and you can easily make progress with something that earlier had been impossible.
Don’t think of it as quitting but rather as reordering therapies. You can always go back to something that was impossible to make progress on later.

Beth