reading specialists? question for you

[Gwenny]

My son ALWAYS switches then and when and that and what--always. What is that??

He also acts like he's going to die if he doesn't move after a few minutes and his "legs are killing him"!

Anyone else hear this?

[Rice]

The leg thing has an actual name, but I can't think of what it is. . . restless leg syndrome crosses my mind, but I think that's in pregnancy - maybe both?

As for the switching, I would do repeated gentle reminders, every time he says the wrong word: What letter did that word start with? What sound does that letter make? and/or Did that make sense when you read it?
I assume he is otherwise reading well and not making the same letter/sound substitutions in most other words?

Blessings,

[Jennymommy]

Have you had his iron levels checked? This can be iron deficiency. Just a thought

[mrsrandolph]

I am a reading specialist. I would print on cardstock some small "That" "What" "Then" "When" cards. Just little ones...like 50 per page of card stock. Then work with that/what. Patiently point out the differences. Why can't a word that starts with "w" be "that"? This kind of thing. Then throw all of your thats and whats in a bag. Have him pull them out randomly and read them.

Then do the same for when and then.

Then combine all 4 words.

This is more than likely a carelessness issue. He is probably a wiggle worm. Let him stand to read or sit on a yoga ball.

[Gwenny]

Thank you Shannon, I will try that!