PACE

PACE is Processing and Cognitive Enhancement. It is wonderful for someone with NLD. I have seen it used in 1st-5th graders but never in adults. There is a website for PACE that is geared to those considering becoming providers but may be able to provide some information to you.

My son went through the PACE training two summers ago at age 9 and worked very hard every day on the program.

After months of work, his post test scores were no better than his pre-test scores.

I strongly suggest you do research before even thinking about this program. The last time I check, there was no science at all on this program. (That is, there is no proof it does any good at all) As I recall, it was designed by an optometrist, and while I won’t say it is worthless, it should be scrunitized to see if it might do you any good at all. (While I certainly don’t think it would hurt anyone, you have to decide if your time and money are better spent on programs that have a scientific proven track record.
All the best, Marilyn

It takes 6 mos. to a year to see the full benefits of PACE because new neural pathways are being developed through the “brain drills”. You can see change in the child’s performance, self- confidence and other ways as getting school work done more efficiently and in less time. As with all tests we cannot evaluate learning difficulties with numbers, that is test scores. We need to look at how the child is actually functioning. There is scientific evidence regarding PACE’s results. I find it very hard to believe that Marilyn did not see any progress in her son. The basic program is 36 hours in a one on one setting with a trainer and 36 hours at home one on one with a parent. Data shows that at least 2 years improvement in at leaast one deficient cognitive skill is the result of PACE training. For most children cognitive training needs to continue to help continue growth in these skills. Trainers are told to screen parents for unrealistic expectations. Perhaps this was not done in Marilyn’s case. Also, PACE is a piece of the puzzle. Ongoing cognitive training and skill remediation is usually needed with all the programs based on input from the parents I consult with. Some PACE trainers charge very high fees so shop around first. I quit a job with a public school system to work independently with children and use PACE as the foundation as it is the only program I’ve found that addresses the underlying “causes” of learning difficulties not just the symptoms. Also, it has the greatest range of skills, seems more comprehensive than other programs like FastForward, L-B and Wilson, etc. I follow it up with Lindamood Bell processes. Good luck and keep an open mind. Sometimes we need to think outside the box to find solutions to helping our children reach their potential. Mary Pat C.—Ctr. For Learning Enhancement, Inc., NJ

Might be a problem with PACE and adults. I don’t know that much— just what I have read here. But if it is supposed to deal with how the brain works— the brain is much less elastic in adults than children. However, that said, I had sensory integration when I was in my mid 20s and it had some effect on me— decreasing my reaction to things spinny and making me a little more comfortable.

In general I think that as an adult, you work around the disability. For example, I know of adults with dyslexia that basically got a college degree the way a blind person might- talking books, etc. I have heard of *some* adults doing some specific remediation (ie reading) and that it had some effect on their abilities.

—des

I have no experience with PACE but it does have a place to click on for adults:

http://www.learninginfo.com/

Janis

Des, I can see how you might think that PACE and adults doesn’t work but the exciting news is that it does! Current brain research shows that the brain does continue to develop new patrhways as long as we stimulate it - just like working out to develop our body muscles and we’ve seen stories of adults in their 70’s and older working out and staying fit. So can our brains. It does take time expecially when the body has been neglected . The same is true with the brain of an individual who has learning difficulties. They may not respond as quickly or in as short a period of time as someone who’s challenges are not severe. From what I’ve seen in special ed classes since I started teaching in 1975 we have been giving kids crutches rather than developing the foundation of their learning which is their cognitive skills. This is what I like about PACE. It addresses the processing skills that everyone needs to learn , think, remember ,etc. and do it more quickly and efficiently.

Note that I said the brain was not AS elastic. I didn’t mean to imply that the brain of an adult was unelastic. Obviously it must be elastic because what is learning but getting new pathways.

And as I said I did have sensory integration in my mid 20s, which was helpful but in a maybe more limited way.

I know of adults who are angered by anything implying that they should do anything about remediation at this stage of their lives. I can understand that! OTOH, I am often interested when learning how to teach something I gain something I did not. OTOH I realize that this would have been much easier if I was 10 instead of 55!!

We know adults CAN learn languages for example, but they will never learn them with the fluidity and fluency as if they had learned them as children under 12.

—des

We did PACE also with very modest results also. I know people for whom it has worked wonders though. For us, the problem seems to be that my son’s deficits are primarily at the motor-sensory level. We had done motor-sensory based therapy for about a year but we (and our therapist) misjudged the extent of his deficits. PACE has a sensory motor component but is primarily a cognitive program.

In retrospect, we should have done The Listening Program and Interactive Metronome first. We did both afterwards, with far more success than PACE.

I think if you can do the program, you will see results. My son topped out after about 6 weeks and made no more progress. I also think it works better with children 10 and up. It has a floor of 6 and my son was only 7.

Beth

Hi Mary Pat,

As an adult with NLD/ADHD and goodness knows what else, I have no doubt that placticity lasts alot longer than previously thought. But many adults in my situation and I am sure Des can relate to this don’t exactly have money to burn on these various therapies, especially when the research is quite shaky in my opinion and the fees are outrageously overpriced. As a result, those combination of factors plus what Des said about our placticity not being a great as someone who is 10 lead to me bei very wary of these therapies even though I am definitely not anti remediation and would be the first in line if the factors I mentioned were more favorable.

PT