Slow processing speed, poor short-term memory

[NARM Forever]

Does anyone have any experience or advice for me. Sorry this is long but I want to give you some background.

My DS9 is a lovely, kind and very social boy with some remaining speech difficulties, we believe he may also have dyspraxia. We have worked with a Sensory Integration Specialist but he still has weak muscle tone, especially with his fingers and legs.

He has been in a special ed class for 3 years and has just returned to a regular classroom at a new school. His processing speed is at the 1st percentile and his working memory in the 2nd percentile. He is working at an early Grade 2 level and emotionally he's at about the same level. He is enthusiastic about working at school and has a good work ethic.

We are working on his diet to see if we have any improvements, we certainly had had some results by removing wheat but nothing significant.

We wanted him to go to a private school which deals with learning disabilities but he really wanted to go to the public school. He was excited for the first week but I'm starting to see the bounce fade. I went on a school trip and the majority of the kids either ignored him (not in a nasty way but they're not interested in him and he isn't interested in them either) or were kind to him.

This is the first time his LD has become really obvious and I'm worried about him, I think this is the first time he's started to realise his disabilities. Its really something we haven't discussed, other than to say that his brain works differently to some of the other kids . Has anyone had to deal with this.

I am also trying to cope with my own frustration especially when we are reading, he can read a word in one sentence and its like a totally new word when it occurs in the next sentence. Has anyone got any tips??

I know this board is very knowledgable and supportive, I'm hoping that someone who has been through a similar situation can help me.

TIA NARM

 

[pcparamedics01]

He has been in a special ed class for 3 years and has just returned to a regular classroom at a new school. His processing speed is at the 1st percentile and his working memory in the 2nd percentile. He is working at an early Grade 2 level and emotionally he's at about the same level. He is enthusiastic about working at school and has a good work ethic.

We wanted him to go to a private school which deals with learning disabilities but he really wanted to go to the public school. He was excited for the first week but I'm starting to see the bounce fade. I went on a schooldiscussed, other than to say that his brain works differently to some of the other kids . Has anyone had to deal with this.

Has he had a diagnosis yet? Seems strange that he has been in a Special Ed class with no dianosis just suspicions of dypraxia and low tone. That could be lot of things. Does he have any support in the Reg Ed classroom? Or did they just throw him in there behind? I suspect the bounce is fading for him because it does not sound like there are any preparations to ensure his success in the Reg Ed class. Does Canada have an IEP? Sorry I know nothing about Canada law..i can find out for you though.....

 

[NARM Forever]

Yes, he does have an IEP and a full Neuropsychological Assessment which said that he was ill-prepared for a regular classroom But, as he has multiple exceptionalities, which takes his IQ to below average he does not meet the criteria for the learning disabilities classes but his IQ is too high for the other disability classes in our Board. Its so frustrating!! He is not technically assigned an EA but the school has several children with ASD and they have managed to put an EA in the classroom in the afternoons and he should have some withdrawal support for Language Arts. We are also waiting for a laptop for him.

We have had wonderful support in the Spec Ed class he was in for the last three years and feel a little lost. And although I like his teacher and find him very gentle, I am a little concerned that we are three weeks into the school year and he still hasn't read the IEP.

NARM

 

[bababear_50]

Hey Narm Forever
Mel here
I work with special needs kids here in Canada .
I also have a son who has a L.D....... Non Verbal Spatial Learning Disability
--rare and not much known about it---he has an extremely high IQ yet scored low in the percentile scale.Only 0.5 percent of the male population have it.
Push for the lap top ---it is a life saver for my son. So many programs that can be of use now and in the future--Calendar reminder--assignment check-lists-gym clothes etc. . Sometimes we have to let our kids tell us what they feel is best and maybe he felt he could be ok mainstream because he was doing so well in spec-ed??? Tell him how proud you are that he is trying so hard. Ask him what he thinks would help him?? I encourage you to make contact before first reports come out and ask to meet with Teacher--In school support staff and Principal,,,if possible take a member of the Learning Disabilities Association with you,or a friend (Advocate). Take a copy of the IEP and go over it with a fine toothed comb----discuss with son,,,make notes --changes. Remember YOU are your son's biggest Advocate!!!

Just an idea
write sentence out --big letters --cut the sentence up --have son put it in correct order. Mix up words and repeat.--make two copies and have a game to see who can come up with the most sentences .

Just wanted to let you know it's been a long road but my "Andrew " is finishing a three year Advanced Diploma Computer Analyst--currently interning at Royal Bank Canada. Thinking of continuing a higher level of Ed at University ----I'll be broke forever--but very Happy.

Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Just wanted to let you know "Andrew ' never refered to himself as having an L.D because we never refered to him as having one either. He always said and says "My brain just works differently" Which is true.I think at about 9-10 he realized he was different from his peers and we worked hard outside of school (extra activities -bowling cubs ,family activities) to give him as many world experiences as we could. He is truly one special loving caring young man as I think your son is.
Mel

 

[bababear_50]

I'm also going to suggest few things in your neighbourhood :

Becomming a buddy helper at the local Humane society helps alot of the kids I work with--they have a natural affinity with caring for animals and this relationship really helps boost their self esteem.

Recreational fun-swims help with the body toning in a non -pressure way--hope this makes sense.

Local Learning Disability offices run classes for kids to help them in all areas (social typing camps),,google Learning Disabilities Of Canada or Ontario.

Being a volunteer at your sons school (even if you work ) can make him feel a home school connection. During grade 4 when I went back to work fulltime I used to cut packages of things for the K teacher and give them to son to take back to school with him.

Hope some of this makes sense
Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

I also give all my kids a visual schedule of their day to post on the refrigerator,,ask Teacher for a copy of his daily plan or weekly schedule for son.
Review each night ---reminders --library book --gym clothes --school assembly--assignment--homework---french book--pop-corn day--pizza day--hot-dog day,,,kids days really are full.

buy him sticky notes and teach him how to use them now--life saver for kids with memory retaining and processing problems. Start sticking them on frige --tv---bathroom mirror--game-boy etc.
before you know it you'll be recieving some."Mom we need more chocolate milk"

Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Ok Ok one last suggestion sorry,,,
Shoppers Home health care carries some stuff that is like silly putty--therapy clay---it comes in a few different strengths --(Pliability) ,,great for building up tone in hands and fingers and is fun to use . Exercise bands are also great for this too--they look like oversiized rubber bands. Can you get some O/T (Occupational Therapy) through the school or through your local hospital?
Ok
that was my last thought for tonight,,sorry
Hugs Mel

 

[whgrn]

Wow, NARM--your DS sounds like a younger, male version of my DD12!

I am appalled that the teacher has yet to read the IEP. That should have been done BEFORE school began! How is he to know what modifications are needed for your son? You can't follow an IEP you haven't read.

I needed to get an educational advocate to work with me concerning my daughter. She has really been a fountain of information. As a PP said, you need to go through that IEP with a fine tooth comb and figure out what they are and are not doing. Legally, they MUST follow the IEP. If they are not, they are opening themselves up for trouble.

Just because your son started the year mainstreamed doesn't mean he has to stay there. If the placement is not working for him, ask for an IEP revision meeting, and request that he return to special ed, have a TA, or whatever you feel he needs.

Best to you! I know how hard (and confusing) this can be!!