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Doodlebug-

Thank you, thank you, thank you! for the fantastic and very detailed reply! I see my older son with AS in the typical client that you described.

I think HWT has helped writing to become more automatic for my son who is diagnosed ADD with dysgraphia and a visual processing issue.
For the very reason you mentioned- he doesn't have to THINK about what he is writing, only about copying what is written in the book. We've gone through a half dozen HWT books for both printing and cursive, along with supplemental work I've created using their lined worksheets. DS just tuned 11 and his writing has come a LONG way.

I'll have to google therapeutic listening, as I am unfamiliar with the term. I think a metronome might drive all of us ADD people crazy...

What do you think of vision therapy? I have heard completely conflicting reports on how well it works.

take care-

Here's info on Therapeutic Listening: www.vitallinks.net in case you haven't found it yet.
The website for Interactive Metronome (IM)is www.interactivemetronome.com

The IM program is actually PERFECT for people with ADD/ADHD. It works on the underlying neurological processes of sequencing and timing. Most people find that they are much better able to multitask and sustain divided attention as well as better filter out irrelevant info after doing a course of IM training. The IM is a computer based program where you wear headphones, hear a metronome beat and learn how to adjust your movements to hit a trigger in time to the beat. Check the provider list for someone near you who is trained. Call and ask questions about it or ask if you can visit and have a pretest to see if you and/or your son would benefit. I do the pretests for no charge, so I don't need an order from a doc. If your son has AS he probably is more appropriate for IM. And it might just take the struggle out of the handwriting for him.

I find that if vision therapy is done right when it is actually needed then it has a wonderful outcome. But too often there are places doing vision therapy incorrectly on kids/adults who don't need it and so it has gotten a bad rap. Most of what is done in the therapy office can be done at home, although sometimes doing it at an eye doctor's office twice a week gets more substantial results in less time. Anyone who knows what they are doing will give you a home program and be able to tell you exactly what they diagnosed and why they are recommending vision therapy. Ask for references from satisfied patients. Good luck!

Thanks Doodlebug - I remember well the days when my daughter sat for an hour with a therapist working on sequencing. She was diagnosed with Dyspraxia. It does seem to help. If only we could replace all these experiences for them quickly, they would not be at a Learning disadvantage. In childhood they said she didn't need glasses, but she is now a student and has just been prescribed some. I feel bad as she struggled with her course. i t didnt occur to her or me to check again. She apparently has Peripheral vision and long sight and a condition where spatially, things appear to be hurtling towards her. I am wondering if she should try again with her course.No-one ever hires her - at interviews her speech is very indistinct, but she tries so hard. I think she should restart speech therapy too.

Short Stories Ed.

Siobhain

doodlebug-

Thanks again. I think I was a bit unclear on my 2e kids. My oldest son is away at college- he's the one with Asperger's. His writing looks like chicken scratches, but he's a phenomenal typist.

My next son is the 11 year old. His writing is more easily deciphered, but writing is a fairly laborious task for him. HWT has really helped him to pick up speed and make his efforts more regular. His "input" is just off the charts, but his "output" is just a few years advanced for age/grade. I'm going to give serious thought to your suggestions and maybe we'll try one of these therapies down the road. My husband is still kvetching about the cost of the cranial sacral we did. (I thought it was helpful, but not exactly in the way we expected.)

Siobhain, is your daughter all grown up then? Is she open to trying different treatments? My young adult son is against anything I might suggest. He doesn't like to talk about his differences, and he will probably not voluntarily pursue any type of medical treatment outside of a dire emergency.

Yes - its so strange but heartening for others - at 2 they said she'd never ride a bike but she taught herself (quietly on her own) when she was 10. She got to Uni against all the odds but her dyspraxia supporter had minimal trainig and she couldnt keep up with her Textiles degree. She/s having a year out. Turns out she needed glasses!Yes, I know what you mean - she is in some ways in denial - I believe she jeopardized her college chances by refusing to ask for better support - its hard knowing when to intervene!Sometimes I feel cross - it was a hard slog getting the help.

Siobhain