I really need advice...

[golfmom]

My middle child has really really struggled with reading. In December I took her to get her vision checked. The doctor said that she had 20/20 vision but that he suspected dyslexia. When she would read the letters off the chart she would read it like this first letter, fifth letter, second letter, etc.. This did not suprise me because this is what she does at home. So I made an appointment with our ped. who referred us to a clinical pychologist. We had to wait for 2 months to see him but it was no big deal. We were so excited because we were going to get anwers and have a plan.

Fast forward to our app. Thursday. After about a 2 hour evaluation he concludes that she does not have dyslexia. She has an atypical language arts learning disability. He recommended that we keep plugging away at what were doing. He said that getting some audio books and having her read along with them would be very helpful. And get this he said that she scored above grade level in everything but reading and spelling so he suggested an advanced curriculum in all subject except those 2 she has trouble with. In fact he said that if she were in a public school setting he would recommend remedial reading and the gifted program for everything else. He said she is very creative and needed lots of motion( which I knew) so a curriculum with lots of activity/projects/experiments would be best. He also encouraged me to start a forgien language with her.

You would think that his findings would make me happy (and it's not that I want something horrible to be wrong)but I feel like he just didn't "get it". I guess I wanted a better plan than he suggested. A more detailed one. I don't even understand what atypical language arts learning disibility means. I'm waiting on the full report to be sent to me so I can take my time reading over it. If anyone has any experience with this please help!
The eye doctor did want me to come back with the pychologist report. He said that at time we would discuss whether or not vision therapy would be benefical to her.

My next question to you all would be do you think HOD would work for her. She is in Beyond right now(started in January) and is doing great. The way Carrie does spelling has been a breathe of fresh air. She hated spelling before now she loves it. I also think she loves having one on one time with me. My husband says if it's not broke don't fix it but I'm kinda panicking here. Both my husband and my sister have learning disabilities(dyslexia) and I have seen firsthand how hard they struggle to do basic reading. My heart is breaking for this very special girl and I just want to do what is best for her. So if you have any comments/advice please fire away. I do appologize for the length and for beingso scatterbrained. I just don't seem to beable to articulate myself very well right now. But I do thank you all for "listening" and ask for your prayers as we try to figure all this out.

[8arrows]

I don't have any experience with the term the doctor gave you, but as I was reading your post, I thought you were going to say, "So, see I have the perfect curriculum for her already." I really thing HOD sounds a lot like what he recommended. I tend to agree with your husband, "If it isn't broke..." I was wondering if he meant a phonics program would be helpful.

[julieabird]

The only advice I can offer is to maybe start writing down all your questions and concerns as they come to mind so you can refer to them when you are meeting with the doctor or talking to others who know more about this type of learning disability- I tend to forget everything at the moment I need to remember it the most!

Please continue to update as you find out more.

[lmercon]

I'm confused about the dr.'s diagnosis. Dyslexia IS an atypical language arts learning disability. In fact, that's a perfect definition for it! I would bet my lunch that she is in fact, dyslexic. Neurologists and the like don't even learn about dyslexia in college! The dyslexia specialist who tested my ds has a son who is at Berkley studying to be a neurologist. She asked him what he has learned about dyslexia. He told her that the only thing he knows about dyslexia is what he has learned from her! My ds is severely dyslexic. We thought it was a vision issue at first too. HOD is an exceptional program for dyslexics! It is exactly what they need to learn - inspiring stories, engaging activities, lots of visuals in the notebooking and map making, etc. It does take me longer to work with my ds than if he wasn't dyslexic. We will take about 1 1/2 yrs. to get through each program from here on out. We are using CTC this year. I will pm you with some more info. that may be helpful to you.
hth,
Laura

[golfmom]

Thank you ladies so much for replying. It means so much. I realize I sounded a little crazy the other night . I have know had a full night sleep and am feeling alot calmer.

I don't have any experience with the term the doctor gave you, but as I was reading your post, I thought you were going to say, "So, see I have the perfect curriculum for her already." I really thing HOD sounds a lot like what he recommended. I tend to agree with your husband, "If it isn't broke..." I was wondering if he meant a phonics program would be helpful.

I know, I know HOD does sound perfect. And you know what, it's working beautifully right know. So why ask if it will work? Because obviously I'm crazy . Yes my husband is right but please don't let him know that. I try very hard to keep that a secret .

The only advice I can offer is to maybe start writing down all your questions and concerns as they come to mind so you can refer to them when you are meeting with the doctor or talking to others who know more about this type of learning disability- I tend to forget everything at the moment I need to remember it the most!

Please continue to update as you find out more.

You are absoulutly right. After I left I thought of tons of questions I forgot to ask. I also have thought of a ton more since I left the doctor's office.
I will update after I get the doctor's report.

I'm confused about the dr.'s diagnosis. Dyslexia IS an atypical language arts learning disability. In fact, that's a perfect definition for it! I would bet my lunch that she is in fact, dyslexic. Neurologists and the like don't even learn about dyslexia in college! The dyslexia specialist who tested my ds has a son who is at Berkley studying to be a neurologist. She asked him what he has learned about dyslexia. He told her that the only thing he knows about dyslexia is what he has learned from her! My ds is severely dyslexic. We thought it was a vision issue at first too. HOD is an exceptional program for dyslexics! It is exactly what they need to learn - inspiring stories, engaging activities, lots of visuals in the notebooking and map making, etc. It does take me longer to work with my ds than if he wasn't dyslexic. We will take about 1 1/2 yrs. to get through each program from here on out. We are using CTC this year. I will pm you with some more info. that may be helpful to you.
hth,
Laura

Thank you so much for your comments. This is what I was trying to "say" the other night. You just said it so much better. When I read the signs of dyslexia she has most of them. That's why this is so confusing. I do agree that HOD will be probably be great, I guess I had a moment of panick. Thank you so much for the website info. I looked over it a little bit and am going to really read over it later. If vision therapy isn't an option my husband and I might just look at a second opinion. It certainly wouldn't hurt.

Thanks again to all three of you. It's nice to have someone besides my very patient husband to vent to. Sorry it took awhile to respond back. My computer charger broke yesterday as I was typing my response and my husband just brought the new one in. Yeah! Back to the land of internet. Thanks again!