Earlier today I heard another family story about a child with dyslexia.
An intense story about a school district that told many lies to the mother in order to "get her off their case" and attempted numerous times to blame the child by: finger pointing, saying there are behavioral issues and using plenty of blame-the-parent technique.
This parent lives a small town where they haven't really been for long (if you have ever lived in a smaller community you probably already know the drill- it takes awhile and it's best that you aren't making waves if you are new in town).
To sum up this depressing story the family has been ostracized in the town, the child's private news about having dyslexia is common knowledge and this child has been labeled and bullied by many as a result.
This family is getting ready to make some big changes and it has a lot to do with the way they have been treated within their community.
Funny thing, tonight I was at my local grocery store and saw two people I knew from the neighborhood Catholic school we left. One of the people spoke to me later (eyes glazed over when I started talking about how we had to leave, dyslexia....) and one of them saw me and completely ignored me (was that an accident, possibly).
It made me remember though that there is risk here. Society is starting to get a clue as actors, successful business people and other famous types come out to the public with their dyslexia but there is still a long way to go.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
What needs to happen next
Sorry to have been away for awhile.
When one's own child is in the care of the right sort of professionals and starts to learn, well, one can relax a bit.
Still, part of my energy goes to thinking about the needs of all the (millions) of children who are still caught in the educational traps that have been laid for them across the country.
As a friend pointed out the other day, it's amazing that dyslexia has been know about for 130 years and, as a society we are still here, not dealing with it very well.
The person who said this is a grassroots organizer who has tried to get folks in her school district organized in order to see some changes (at least hopefully getting the district to adopt the Wilson program). She told me it isnt going well right now which I was sorry to hear. I've been tossing that around in my head for awhile now. I believe there is a solution but it has yet to be found.
Not everyone is willing to drop everything and put their child into a expensive private school which teaches an Orton-Gillingham based curriculum.
Not everyone can pay for that in the first place and not everyone can make the sort of changes required by such a need. I understand.
Additionally, in relation to this IEP meetings themselves require time and energy. A parent has to take off work, get babysitters and (in my case) hire a Child Advocate to translate all the alphabet soup mumbo jumbo so that they (the parent) can have a decently clear understanding of what is really being offered and a sense of trust that their child's rights arent still being trampled on (it's difficult to trust people who once sat across the table trying to get me to sign a paper which essentially screwed my child out of anything they had to offer).
So here we are. My kid is getting what she needs. We are fully prepared to make the financial sacrifices in order for her to get the education I believe she deserves.
Now my son is diagnosed too (and it didnt cost as much as the first time around because of something called an IEE that my advocate gently lead me to).
On a good day I think I see dyslexia coming to the forefront of society. Movie stars are talking about it. Famous people and successful people are admitting they are dyslexic and all of this is helpful. Still, like my friend said, school districts dont want to change. They dont want to or cant offer the help that is truly needed at this point. A very few districts are making changes faster than others but overall there need to be more changes, more and better educated teachers.
There is still a very loud cry for help and no help in site for the near future.
When one's own child is in the care of the right sort of professionals and starts to learn, well, one can relax a bit.
Still, part of my energy goes to thinking about the needs of all the (millions) of children who are still caught in the educational traps that have been laid for them across the country.
As a friend pointed out the other day, it's amazing that dyslexia has been know about for 130 years and, as a society we are still here, not dealing with it very well.
The person who said this is a grassroots organizer who has tried to get folks in her school district organized in order to see some changes (at least hopefully getting the district to adopt the Wilson program). She told me it isnt going well right now which I was sorry to hear. I've been tossing that around in my head for awhile now. I believe there is a solution but it has yet to be found.
Not everyone is willing to drop everything and put their child into a expensive private school which teaches an Orton-Gillingham based curriculum.
Not everyone can pay for that in the first place and not everyone can make the sort of changes required by such a need. I understand.
Additionally, in relation to this IEP meetings themselves require time and energy. A parent has to take off work, get babysitters and (in my case) hire a Child Advocate to translate all the alphabet soup mumbo jumbo so that they (the parent) can have a decently clear understanding of what is really being offered and a sense of trust that their child's rights arent still being trampled on (it's difficult to trust people who once sat across the table trying to get me to sign a paper which essentially screwed my child out of anything they had to offer).
So here we are. My kid is getting what she needs. We are fully prepared to make the financial sacrifices in order for her to get the education I believe she deserves.
Now my son is diagnosed too (and it didnt cost as much as the first time around because of something called an IEE that my advocate gently lead me to).
On a good day I think I see dyslexia coming to the forefront of society. Movie stars are talking about it. Famous people and successful people are admitting they are dyslexic and all of this is helpful. Still, like my friend said, school districts dont want to change. They dont want to or cant offer the help that is truly needed at this point. A very few districts are making changes faster than others but overall there need to be more changes, more and better educated teachers.
There is still a very loud cry for help and no help in site for the near future.
Friday, April 5, 2013
A screening of the film The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia
Last night I went to a screening of the film The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia. While I knew quite a bit of what was being said I had'nt ever see an MRI showing the region of the brain that works differently from that of a person who does not have a hard time reading. So that was great.
When I go to these types of things my feeling is that if I only learn one thing it's still worth it.
Of course I learned more than one thing though. Afterward there was a discussion and that part is always interesting. It seems that everytime I'm at one of these types of functions where there is a group of people all concerned about dyslexia in one way or another the following things seem to happen:
1. At least one person has to stand up and say what a great job their school/district/methodology or such is doing. I dont personally believe this but I have found this in so many of the situations that it leads me to believe that part of the process is that people have to be able to think that their choices so far have still been good ones. (I usually don't try to rip off the blankie even if I disagree).
2. Teachers and School Psychologists are very guarded. If they are in the process of making changes about the way they have been handling dyslexic children so far they are not forthcoming about admitting that they were not able to reach this population in the past. Also they are very "by-the-book" in their thinking with the idea that the law/ethics or whatever is on their side. Again, I disagree but I'm not at the point to personally call anyone out to their face right now.
3. There is ALWAYS a couple there with a sad, scared look on their face and I know that look. I have been where they are. The couple who have a child at home who is struggling and the lack of information, the misinformation and so on are continuing to hurt this child and this family. These are the people I usually try to reach out to. It couldn't be more obvious who they are. They may as well be wearing a sign.
So last night a woman sat next to me and we exchanged information and I will attempt to do for her what was done for me. A stranger, one who had been through and seen a lot told me in one phone call so many things I needed to know and so many things I ended up using and basically put me 1-2 years ahead of where most people would be. There is a lot of information that needs to be taken in and not everyone is ready to hear it. Still, I will lay it out there for the lady I met last night and hope that something is helpful to her.
Interestingly, although I know that one of the speakers knows the same things I know he did not speak about his knowledge of the private professionals or anything else.
Although I am more brazen in a lot of ways and would have in his position I realize that not everyone is ever going to be able to go to the school my daughter does, not everyone can go to one of the best pediatric neuropsychologists the way we have and not everyone is will to go as far with all this as I have (remind me to tell the story of the time my baby was in the PICU for 16 days).
There are many reasons for this and I see that what he is trying to do is to reach the groups that will have them bring the film and hope for the best for the masses of dyslexic children. I understand this, I just sort of feel like I never want to have to pull my punches the same way.
This is why it is good I'm not anything but a parent talking to other parents, I am personally free to say what I believe. I need that.
When I go to these types of things my feeling is that if I only learn one thing it's still worth it.
Of course I learned more than one thing though. Afterward there was a discussion and that part is always interesting. It seems that everytime I'm at one of these types of functions where there is a group of people all concerned about dyslexia in one way or another the following things seem to happen:
1. At least one person has to stand up and say what a great job their school/district/methodology or such is doing. I dont personally believe this but I have found this in so many of the situations that it leads me to believe that part of the process is that people have to be able to think that their choices so far have still been good ones. (I usually don't try to rip off the blankie even if I disagree).
2. Teachers and School Psychologists are very guarded. If they are in the process of making changes about the way they have been handling dyslexic children so far they are not forthcoming about admitting that they were not able to reach this population in the past. Also they are very "by-the-book" in their thinking with the idea that the law/ethics or whatever is on their side. Again, I disagree but I'm not at the point to personally call anyone out to their face right now.
3. There is ALWAYS a couple there with a sad, scared look on their face and I know that look. I have been where they are. The couple who have a child at home who is struggling and the lack of information, the misinformation and so on are continuing to hurt this child and this family. These are the people I usually try to reach out to. It couldn't be more obvious who they are. They may as well be wearing a sign.
So last night a woman sat next to me and we exchanged information and I will attempt to do for her what was done for me. A stranger, one who had been through and seen a lot told me in one phone call so many things I needed to know and so many things I ended up using and basically put me 1-2 years ahead of where most people would be. There is a lot of information that needs to be taken in and not everyone is ready to hear it. Still, I will lay it out there for the lady I met last night and hope that something is helpful to her.
Interestingly, although I know that one of the speakers knows the same things I know he did not speak about his knowledge of the private professionals or anything else.
Although I am more brazen in a lot of ways and would have in his position I realize that not everyone is ever going to be able to go to the school my daughter does, not everyone can go to one of the best pediatric neuropsychologists the way we have and not everyone is will to go as far with all this as I have (remind me to tell the story of the time my baby was in the PICU for 16 days).
There are many reasons for this and I see that what he is trying to do is to reach the groups that will have them bring the film and hope for the best for the masses of dyslexic children. I understand this, I just sort of feel like I never want to have to pull my punches the same way.
This is why it is good I'm not anything but a parent talking to other parents, I am personally free to say what I believe. I need that.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
IEP season 2013 and my son
It's been awhile since I posted and for this I am sorry. Yet, here we are back in IEP season and I'm now up to my ears in the IEP drama's of both my children.
My youngest is entering Kindergarten this fall and guess what?
You guessed it.
It looks like he probably has dyslexia also, and he definitely has dysgraphia. No question.
So I had him "tested" (and I use that term loosely) by our public school district when he came up with speech issues (an early indicator for dyslexia). They didn't do much and of course did the usual, "oh, there's nothing wrong with him and he doesn't qualify" baloney that they seem to always try to pull on my family.
Of course he almost completely failed the Brigance test. Which they also decided they didn't need to nationally norm for us.
So, now we are getting further (and complete) testing with Dr. NameBrand. The most sought after, long waiting list, published and highly regarded doctor in our area.
$1500.00 of his $1950.00 fee is being paid for by the school district.
I see once again the benefit in re-hiring our child advocate! (Incidentally, not that anyone cares but I'm in the process of selling my Pandora bracelet to pay for this, because I'd rather have a child that can read than an overpriced charm bracelet. We all make choices).
In the meanwhile I'm most angry that our district screened him in Dec and then waited until Feb to run their tests (lost time).
We know someone in a better (read:has been sued) district that got help for their child immediately after a Dec screening.
We now have an IEP in place for OT only (since he failed that piece too miserably to be denied although right up until the end they claimed he had to "qualify" in two places to have an IEP). Guess that was wrong and or misleading and/or unethical or whatever other word you might want to insert.
Do I sound like an angry mommy, well that is true.
So I have acquaintances who had to take things to DUE PROCESS (big word folks). I'm going to try to meet with both families to see how this went, how it played out and what it entailed.
On a good day I feel like I'm fighting the world to make it a better place for people with dyslexia for:
Every mother and father who have cried because their bright child wasn't doing well in school.
For every couple who ever fought, blaming each other for their child's lack of progress in school.
For every child, who has slumped down in their school seat at some point because they decided that they really were not smart after all.
I am reminding myself, this is who I am working for, all of these families, all of these children.
Now a prayer: God please send your blessings here, to these folks, because they are needed now! Amen.
My youngest is entering Kindergarten this fall and guess what?
You guessed it.
It looks like he probably has dyslexia also, and he definitely has dysgraphia. No question.
So I had him "tested" (and I use that term loosely) by our public school district when he came up with speech issues (an early indicator for dyslexia). They didn't do much and of course did the usual, "oh, there's nothing wrong with him and he doesn't qualify" baloney that they seem to always try to pull on my family.
Of course he almost completely failed the Brigance test. Which they also decided they didn't need to nationally norm for us.
So, now we are getting further (and complete) testing with Dr. NameBrand. The most sought after, long waiting list, published and highly regarded doctor in our area.
$1500.00 of his $1950.00 fee is being paid for by the school district.
I see once again the benefit in re-hiring our child advocate! (Incidentally, not that anyone cares but I'm in the process of selling my Pandora bracelet to pay for this, because I'd rather have a child that can read than an overpriced charm bracelet. We all make choices).
In the meanwhile I'm most angry that our district screened him in Dec and then waited until Feb to run their tests (lost time).
We know someone in a better (read:has been sued) district that got help for their child immediately after a Dec screening.
We now have an IEP in place for OT only (since he failed that piece too miserably to be denied although right up until the end they claimed he had to "qualify" in two places to have an IEP). Guess that was wrong and or misleading and/or unethical or whatever other word you might want to insert.
Do I sound like an angry mommy, well that is true.
So I have acquaintances who had to take things to DUE PROCESS (big word folks). I'm going to try to meet with both families to see how this went, how it played out and what it entailed.
On a good day I feel like I'm fighting the world to make it a better place for people with dyslexia for:
Every mother and father who have cried because their bright child wasn't doing well in school.
For every couple who ever fought, blaming each other for their child's lack of progress in school.
For every child, who has slumped down in their school seat at some point because they decided that they really were not smart after all.
I am reminding myself, this is who I am working for, all of these families, all of these children.
Now a prayer: God please send your blessings here, to these folks, because they are needed now! Amen.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Seeing results
A parent or caregiver reading with a child frequently can see if progress is being made.
In our case as soon as the Orton Gillingham (O.G.) method was applied my daughter became able to read. Before that, not so.
I realize that there are different phonics related methods. The Wilson Method is also highly regarded but I cant speak to that because we are only familiar with O.G.
It pains me greatly that a look at teacher boards online which show such a preference by the majority for "The Whole Language" teaching method.
"The Whole Language Method" so clearly inferior for so many people and yet this is what the is being taught to young teachers in colleges all over the country these days. This is what they are buying into also.
It is mostly older teachers (or perhaps unusal teachers) who teach phonics.
In The Good School (a book I have recommended before) the estimate is that possibly even a third of the population does not respond to "Whole Language" teaching instruction.
Can we really afford to have a third of the population reading at an inferior level? I doubt it. Only if as a society we are willing to pay the price which will mean even more religious fanatism, people who learn everything via television and people who themselves are marginalized and raising children who will also be marginalized.
Call me negative but this is where I believe we are headed as a society if we believe that a third of the population is expendable or not important.
In our case as soon as the Orton Gillingham (O.G.) method was applied my daughter became able to read. Before that, not so.
I realize that there are different phonics related methods. The Wilson Method is also highly regarded but I cant speak to that because we are only familiar with O.G.
It pains me greatly that a look at teacher boards online which show such a preference by the majority for "The Whole Language" teaching method.
"The Whole Language Method" so clearly inferior for so many people and yet this is what the is being taught to young teachers in colleges all over the country these days. This is what they are buying into also.
It is mostly older teachers (or perhaps unusal teachers) who teach phonics.
In The Good School (a book I have recommended before) the estimate is that possibly even a third of the population does not respond to "Whole Language" teaching instruction.
Can we really afford to have a third of the population reading at an inferior level? I doubt it. Only if as a society we are willing to pay the price which will mean even more religious fanatism, people who learn everything via television and people who themselves are marginalized and raising children who will also be marginalized.
Call me negative but this is where I believe we are headed as a society if we believe that a third of the population is expendable or not important.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Reading recovery is not for dyslexic children
One of the problems with the lack of good information in a typical school situation is the thought that Reading Recovery is going to help a dyslexic child learn to read.
It will not.
Reading Recovery is for children who come from a place where they have not been exposed to early literature. If you have been reading and trying to teach ABC's at home or they have had a pre-school experience then I am sorry to say Reading Recovery is not going to do much good for a child who has dyslexia.
How can one tell? What needs to happen is that the concerned parent/grandparent needs to see results from the tutoring sessions.
I knew my child was on the right track with the Orton-Gillingham method (which has been around since the 1930's) when she would read street signs (out loud and on her own).
A concerned adult will be able to tell when you have the child read to you that there is progress being made.
Reading Recovery has it's value but not for the child with dyslexia.
(By the way, plan to make a few enemies if you spout this off much- there is still a lot of hype around Reading Recovery)
It will not.
Reading Recovery is for children who come from a place where they have not been exposed to early literature. If you have been reading and trying to teach ABC's at home or they have had a pre-school experience then I am sorry to say Reading Recovery is not going to do much good for a child who has dyslexia.
How can one tell? What needs to happen is that the concerned parent/grandparent needs to see results from the tutoring sessions.
I knew my child was on the right track with the Orton-Gillingham method (which has been around since the 1930's) when she would read street signs (out loud and on her own).
A concerned adult will be able to tell when you have the child read to you that there is progress being made.
Reading Recovery has it's value but not for the child with dyslexia.
(By the way, plan to make a few enemies if you spout this off much- there is still a lot of hype around Reading Recovery)
Friday, November 2, 2012
Dysgraphia
The other day I was talking to a mother at our school who's son is doing well except she was lamenting his handwriting.
I told her how the 45 or so minutes a month my daughter had 1 on 1 tutoring during the summer (5 days a week) her teacher focused on writing her letters. I believe they almost completely used that time to work on letter formation throughout that month.
In the end I didnt even recognize her handwriting. I thought someone else had written that.
The teacher used techniques like the "bat comes before the ball" to make a letter "b" and my daughter said they went outside and played a bit of baseball before coming back to the writing.
It used to be standard practice in schools to teach letter formation. They spent no time at all on it in our Catholic school and yet she was expected to write well (with no guidance). I suppose as a parent I was supposed to have taught her this? Yet I have smaller children at home and other things to do and what is school for anyway if I'm supposed to homeschool her we would have set our lives up that way. (A rant by me- sorry).
So another mother and I were talking and I knew that she was frustrated with her son's handwriting. I mentioned what had worked for us but I think I forgot to mention that I insisted that my daughter be tested for dysgraphia during our IEP process (and of course I was right, she has it).
Here is what I'm realizing: it was very important to have had that written into our IEP.
I told her how the 45 or so minutes a month my daughter had 1 on 1 tutoring during the summer (5 days a week) her teacher focused on writing her letters. I believe they almost completely used that time to work on letter formation throughout that month.
In the end I didnt even recognize her handwriting. I thought someone else had written that.
The teacher used techniques like the "bat comes before the ball" to make a letter "b" and my daughter said they went outside and played a bit of baseball before coming back to the writing.
It used to be standard practice in schools to teach letter formation. They spent no time at all on it in our Catholic school and yet she was expected to write well (with no guidance). I suppose as a parent I was supposed to have taught her this? Yet I have smaller children at home and other things to do and what is school for anyway if I'm supposed to homeschool her we would have set our lives up that way. (A rant by me- sorry).
So another mother and I were talking and I knew that she was frustrated with her son's handwriting. I mentioned what had worked for us but I think I forgot to mention that I insisted that my daughter be tested for dysgraphia during our IEP process (and of course I was right, she has it).
Here is what I'm realizing: it was very important to have had that written into our IEP.
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