1Kid's DoreSpot

2008-04-03T17:36:00.005-07:00

February 26, 2008, Final Dore Evaluation and Certificate

2008-03-02T08:58:00.003-07:00

2008-02-23T08:28:00.002-07:00

I just got fabulous news from DS's tutor. I received a call from her last night to report 1Kid's dad called to cancel the session, because 1Kid "didn't have anything to do," despite carrying a 1.67 (4.0 being tops) average. Dad got an earful and took him over. Anyway, 1Kid's tutor said that last night, HE took the initiative to ask her if she would work with him on her computer with his school's grading site (the site where his grades and assignments are posted and to work with him getting it all together with his agenda, organization, etc. This......is a HUGE step for him, and I got goosebumps and tears started rolling when she was telling me this. I think the time is here for him to realize he's got a lot to loose if he does not get motivated and take the steps needed with his agenda and assignments, tho the work he does and turns in is absolutely fabulous, his missing assignments have brought him down sooooo very far. He already got a letter from the track coach that he's off the team if he doesn't get grades up - by today, and he has an interview next week with the head of the teen workshop program that he attended last summer, only as a peer leader. He needs to keep a C average, and I told him that they are looking for leaders that are responsible, and grades are the best indicator of the kind of person they are looking for. So, this week must have gotten the cogs turning. She didn't do anything different than what I do when I work with him, but it's coming from someone else, which is what he needs, and he was very brave and vulnerable to ask for help (male ego??). I had earlier today also called the agency to see about arranging an ADHD coach, but with his motivation and some of the executive functions starting to come in and work for him, perhaps he may not need it.

I am very happy and so proud of 1Kid

2008-01-19T11:07:00.001-07:00

This is one of 1Kid's final exercises this week before his assessment later this week.
At his assessment, he had also reached the completion phase of the treatment. He will go for one week with only one exercise in the AM and the PM each; the next week every other day; the third week 2 or 3 days; then off for three weeks, then back for the final visit. In other words, he goes back in, in six weeks again, three weeks of wind-down sets, then three weeks of no sets at all.

It was nice to have him watch the video of himself that he can see his head movement and hand positions during the sets (because he often does not believe the coach!).

1Kid, this past week, has been consistently remembering more of what he needs to do from day to day, plan ahead a little more, think ahead, and remember more from a few days ago. Today during his assessment, he actually remembered an exercise he had a question on that I had forgotten about, and is reminding me of things. This is all really unusual for him, and is not mood-related, like sometimes his concentration/focus issues have been. So, yes, I can say that some of those executive functions do seem to be coming in, which I did have my doubts of. I guess good things DO come to those who wait!

2008-01-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

Dore on the Go

2008-01-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

We just returned from our 9 day vacation to California. We drove, 1Kid played on his DS, and rode the rides at Disneyland with no motion/car-sickness. Compared to the baseline response when we drove 2 1/2 years ago when he did have these symptoms, I am very happy that Dore has dealt with these issues for 1Kid in the process.

I am also happy that we achieved 100% compliance while on the trip, though we did leave for our drive home so early and still in the morning daze that we left the clock poster and playing card still taped to the hotel wall!

2007-11-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

Reading

2007-11-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Reading is still not 1Kid's favorite chosen activity, but he can buckle down when he needs to. Thanks to Dore, he is now able to comprehend and work with what he has read.

2007-10-11T17:29:00.000-06:00

Some are going well

2007-10-09T20:26:00.000-06:00

Finally got the AIMS scores for last school year

2007-09-14T20:51:00.002-06:00

1 Kid has always scored at least 2 years below in the yearly placement tests for reading. This year for his reading placement tests he scored at his own grade level or 2 years above. Okay, that's the old news.

The new news is, we finally got his AIMS scores in today from the tests he took last April 07 (8th grade) when he was only 5 months into the Dore program. Last year, (7th grade) his reading scores fell low into category box 2 "Approaches" and for 8th grade his scores were well within category box 3 "Meets." AND his reading scores were his highest next to writing and math! AND all of his scores were equal or above the mean scores for the school and the district. Whew! I think something major happened during the year, eh? WooHoo!

The top result is from 8th grade, the bottom result is from 7th grade. His maths slipped a little, but they are still a very strong point, so no concern there.

2007-09-04T17:42:00.000-06:00

With high school new this year, I signed 1Kid up with an ADHD coach/tutor, which so far is a wonderful addition to his schedule. Last time and this time 1Kid was at the tutor, she had him tell him about some short stories they had read in language arts. I was amazed at not only how much he could recall and all the details, but that he could VERBALIZE and get them out coherently! This has always been a struggle for him, and seeing the leaps he has made from last year, I was sitting in there in shock today. I could almost hear everything, and at first I could not tell if he were reading the story or telling her about it, he was THAT good at the recall and verbalization. I was totally in shock. Up till now, he couldn't' repeat back much that made much sense, even his own experience at something.

2007-08-16T17:31:00.000-06:00

Vestibular Concern

2007-07-27T18:04:00.001-06:00

Last two evaluations had to re-take, because of an unexpected low score and variance on #5 on the posturography. I had a chance to run the "ENG" reports (the score sheet) by 1Kids's primary care physician. I initially made the appointment as last assessment he about passed out up there. Suspected blood sugar drop/dehydration. Anyway, PCP's take on the scores was "although he does have evidence to suggest equilibrium abnormalities on testing he is asymptomatic. This test is typically used to diagnose vertigo related disorders and if concerning then brain imaging could be considered. Yet he does not have any vertigo symptoms and had a normal CT scan of the brain in August of 2005. We could repeat these here if interested as well as consider an MRI of the brain yet based on last visit do not see a need to do so at this time." Whew! It's just all very strange. I called the Dore Center to ask about it, and his counselor said that he was borderline with having been assigned the mental tasks at the first wonky assessment. If his NEXT assessment is strange, he will likely go back to exercises without mental tasks. He also has an appointment soon with a vision physician who will also look into why he has been having the "mini-blackouts." I am left wondering if we are on the medical system rabbit trail or if there is something that needs to be uncovered.

Finally, a live look at the mental tasks!

2007-07-16T21:22:00.001-06:00

Since school has been out for 2 months, we don't have anything brilliant to report yet, we are still plugging away at the mental tasks, and doing well. 1Kid has finally allowed me to film him, he's singing a song. Don't laugh, the last second is priceless.

2007-07-07T17:37:00.000-06:00

ORHO Summer Teen Workshop

2007-07-06T22:13:00.001-06:00

1Kid attended one of these workshops and came back a different 1Kid :-0

Update on the Mental Tasks

2007-06-23T08:46:00.000-06:00

1Kid is plugging away at the mental tasks. The exercises themselves are not too difficult, but with the added element of verbalizing makes them go all askew. 1Kid wants to look out into the air for the answer, and while tracking, he looses his sight on the object on his right, as he is left eye dominant. We are marking most of them difficult, and he does not have much problem with that, as he knows he's got a ways to go. He's working very hard at them. He is also having trouble with recall on lists, still, and will only mention a few items when there are so very many. For example, items in the produce isle, "food," or items in the canned food isle, "canned food." Makes it hard to coach. His end of lists is slightly growing though, over the days! Runescape seems to be the best way to get him to verbalize.

1Kid is out for the summer, so there are no academics to report, but I am seeing his confidence start to soar. He is almost without hesitation asking store clerks for information and is not begging my assistance there anymore. He is able to talk and open up more with individuals he does not know well.

Update on the Mental Tasks

2007-06-11T19:50:00.000-06:00

After the May 26th re-do of the posturography, 1Kid was given his first sets of the exercises with mental tasks. He is having a tough time of them, he keeps wanting to find the answers somewhere in the upper air. It is very difficult to keep his eyes on the object he is tossing, and thinking. He is being a really great sport about it though by doing his best without getting frustrated in the process. He knows it will get easier the more he does them and time goes on, and he seems to have his motivation back for doing them correctly. He is even a good sport, and very understanding about having the hard ticks when they need to be. What is the difficult part is continually finding thing for him to verbalize while coaching him and watching the timer! (Mom cannot multitask very well.) Runescape seems to be a winner for lists today.

1Kid has not allowed me to videoclip him doing the activities yet, as he says it distracts him, and I understand. Hope to get one on here soon, so you can see the challenge of them. It's a lot like rubbing your tummy and patting your head, while reciting the times tables.

2007-06-01T18:56:00.000-06:00

Whew, regarding some of the inconsistency in 1Kid's therapy, after a long discussion with our program specialist, the conclusion was that it will not affect the bottom line of how much he will get out of the program, just the time it will take to get there. YAY!

2007-05-26T17:35:00.000-06:00

The OMT test was tighter, as well as the COG alignment. Although still in the white box, they have alway leaned towards the right. 1Kid was asked to return a few days later to repeat the posturography portion of the evaluation due to the uncharacteristic low scores on the 21st.

Junior High Promotion

2007-05-23T21:37:00.001-06:00

2007-05-21T17:41:00.000-06:00

2007-05-18T17:52:00.000-06:00

Urg, sooo, we are in full-blown rebellion.

After the educational evaluation, one parent is in denial still that 1Kid does have have ADHD....
Now, 1Kid (at least at this moment) is loosing even more interest in self-improvement and personal growth and passion for trying to do the exercises well, doesn't want to be coached because he's not always coached and he's doing them wrong and likely tacking more time onto his program because of that.

Gad, I'm taking a crash-course in Love & Logic, and that's making things even worser. For now. It will get better.

Mid-post: 1Kid and I just had a talk about why he was being rebellious these last two days about one of the exercises. This morning he was still mad at me and decided to NOT wear his helmet when he rode his bike to school. To "get back at me." ACK!!!!! Somehow it finally came out this afternoon, the exercise was physically hurting his knee, like popping and needing ice on it. Why did he not tell me this yesterday before doing 2 more rounds of it? He was actually the most sorry I've ever seen him. Humble in fact. (Something I've actually never really seen pre-Dore) It was the most mad he's ever been at me, and I knew it. I reminded him that HUGE misunderstandings and assumptions are made all the time because people simply don't communicate with each other. That, and I still have not mastered mind reading, but I'm still in training.

Just wondering if the intense emotions are 1)something up with puberty, 2)because some of the "fog" is lifting, from Dore, as Miss Ellie would say, and he's "noticing" more of his world, or a combo of both.
I Need chocolate...........................

Chat with the Evaluator

2007-05-15T18:34:00.000-06:00

We had the chat with the educational psychologist today.

She re-confirmed his diagnosis of ADHD, mildly inattentive, yet still "disabling" enough in 1Kid's life.

1Kid is OK cognitively, IQ-wise, etc, no learning disabilities, but hinted at some language processing issues due to something he may have missed very early in life, perhaps even in infancy, somewhere in the foundation of language learning, and recommended a meeting with a speech pathologist.

The hardwiring of 1Kid's brain made him unable to put forth the "mechanics" of taking care of his "stuff," despite his drive and motivation to do so. I liked the way she worded that. She recommended a counselor (which he already does see) as a proactive measure. She emphasized that from his results that she is concerned of him being an "at risk" youth, i.e., thrill-seeking, dangerous/impulsive behavior, etc. We need to do what we can proactively to keep his self-esteem and confidence up, and get him interested and successful in school again.

Her further recommendations to that end were:

To cut the ties of being coach/tutor and go back to being mom, and for 1Kid to be accountable to a tutor or other individual a couple of times a week for him to keep up on his "stuff, " as he is still unable to do that for himself yet. She would NOT recommend letting him to go it on his own.

504 recommendations for high school.

A set of classes (On-Track) he can take over the summer for study skills/organizational/test-taking skills, etc., a class for us parents to go to learn parenting strategies of an ADHD adolescent, and some workshops (orho) for 1Kid, like a motivational/assertiveness sort of class.

To meet with a child psychiatrist to revisit the med issue, which I would be more than happy to look into again, as 1Kid is showing the side-effects of NOT being medicated.

Dore and the Primitive Reflexes

2007-05-12T21:47:00.000-06:00

With permission, and thanks to Karla and Amy for gathering the information, here is the official Dore response to how the primitive reflexes are dealt with through the therapy.

"Your question about primitive reflexes is an interesting one.

These reflexes are elicited from the spinal cord, brain stem and midbrain levels. As you know they tend to go away very early in infant life. Some people with damage to higher level brain systems (e.g. Cerebral Palsy) can demonstrate such reflexes much later in life.

However a most important note is that you cannot get rid of these reflexes. They are always present. However they are suppressed by the increasing integrity of the function of the higher brain systems (including the cerebellum). If these systems are not fully developed then there may be varying degrees of manifestation of such reflexes.

If any normally developed person received substantial brain damage such reflexes will no longer be fully inhibited and will manifest themselves once again at any time in life.

Thus focusing on exercises which merely counteract and oppose such reflexes is not the most appropriate way of suppressing them. Dore believes that the development of higher functional integrity of cerebellar-cerebral loop systems is the only real way to develop better higher learning systems and at the same time suppress these lower level reflexes not so much by using direct opposing movements but more naturally by developing higher systems more naturally and allowing this to suppress such reflexes indirectly.

We do measure two reflexes linked to the vestibular cerebellar systems (the Moro and ATNR).

We find that in almost every child and adult who show such reflexes that they have gone by the end of the programme.

Thus I do not see any advantage in trying to identify and suppress individual reflex actions prior to using Dore and would suggest (from our research) that Dore would be just as effective whether or not such reflexes were present at the start of Dore."

2007-05-10T21:52:00.000-06:00

When we started Dore, they had mentioned the regression period at first, but they did not mention that it occurs throughout the process as well, like growing pains! There seems to be a period of darkness before the light returns with self-growth, exploring and re-exploring talents and abilities. I really wonder what misfortune comes to these poor kids whose "light" is just around the bend, and, will they end up being "stuck" in that regression period forever?

1kid continues to plug along. 8th grade has been really tough, ADHD-wise. The expectations of him are more than he can get a grasp on. He has not been able to get all his assignments written down, and thus doesn't get the grade. This year, so far, 36 missing assignments , 73 D's and F's, and 31 missed days of school. The stress of all of this has let him to a diagnosis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) with GERD (gastro esophogeal reflux disease). Caused by stress, poor diet, and an upper GI response to IBS. It's all the way up in his throat. No meds seem to help with the debilitating nausea and pain, he just has to wait it out. He, and other kids have this, and shouldn't. The schools should help these troubled, yet motivated kids, and they won't. They just don't seem to care. They cater to the bright, and to the worst of the struggling. Average is left alone. That is why getting these kids help is so very important!!

It would have been a great year to medicate for ADHD. 1Kid doesn't want to do this. We may have to waffle the pros and cons of NOT medicating again, and try to find something that will not trigger the seizures, or make sure that they were just a passing thing, as most kids with the absence type outgrow them by this age or a bit later. Next year is high school. This summer I would like to get him into some type of coaching program to prepare him for this, get him on another 504 so that he may have a written weekly sheet of his assignments, and possibly the attention/focus part will have kicked in by then, or he may do to medicate. It's up against the wall for us now. On the off-weeks, he gets NO support, on his on-weeks with me, our days are filled cramming sessions, arguments, appointments, taking off work to get him to appointments and to grandma's house, my social life has taken a dump. It's horrible.

A Day off for the Evaulation

2007-05-02T19:23:00.000-06:00

Took 1Kid out of school today for a neuro-educational-psychological evaluation. We get the results back in a couple of weeks. Before we went, I took him out for breakfast. Being on a tight income, we don't go out much, so when we do it is a treat. I have to say that 1Kid was really very pleasant with the waitress, and remembered to say please and thank-you, and actually speak to the waitress. He is usually very timid in this situation. I was really proud of 1Kid, and kept this one quietly to myself. :-) Just one more way that I am noticing him coming out of himself a little.

Eye Tracking Exercise of April 30, 2007

2007-05-01T19:34:00.000-06:00

This is my ADHD household! I had NO IDEA I had a counter-surfer in the background. Dog must have known we were otherwise distracted.

2007-04-29T19:19:00.000-06:00

Something unusual today....
1Kid received another dreaded long-term assignment. We usually find out about the day before they are due, or the day after. With this assignment, 1Kid took care of the planning process himself this time. He was really motivated to do it on his own, AND he was ABLE to do it on his own. Not only did 1Kid complete all the writing and putting together yesterday, all on his own, really with very little effort and in a very short amount of time, he made it way before the due date, and turned it in a few days early. He was unusually able to get his thoughts easliy into the computer, and stayed right on track with his concentration and focus and just zipped the thing right out, SO EASILY;EFFORTLESSLY! It appeared to be an "A" paper, he got all of the elements, and double checked the requirements himself. It was just all so incredibly easy for him, for the very first time EVER. I am still just in awe. I hope this is the first of many assignments that go much easier for 1Kid and make school more of a pleasure academically for him as well.

Great News Today! subtitled: All is Not Lost

2007-04-20T18:18:00.000-06:00

I received a call today from 1Kid's 8th grade school counselor. I always worry when I get those calls, but haven't gotten one yet for this year! She said she had 1Kid in the office with her, and asked if she could put us all on the speakerphone. Well, she had called to let me know that on 1Kid's placement tests in Language Arts, he placed at the 9th to 10th grade level. She said that he was sitting there with a smile on his face. This is truly amazing, and both of us are still in shock, as throughout his entire academic career he has placed in reading and comprehension one to two years below his grade level. He was so happy, he was just jumping up and down all afternoon, and we hugged and hugged!

Here is the followup e-mail I received from her:

On March 28, 2007 * 1Kid came to my room to take the Language Placement Assessment.
There are three sub- tests.
--Test of Silent Word Reading Fluency.  This test is timed and the student identifies as many words possible in 3 minutes sessions.
 On Form A, 1Kid scored 135 or grade equivalent of 9.4.
 On Form B 139 or 10.7; for an average of 10.05
--DRP Reading Test (Comprehension/Vocabulary):  1Kid scored 45 or greater than 9th grade
--Spelling Inventory:  +26 out of 30 words.

Here are some words from the angels/cheerleaders:

"that is absolutely fantastic, especially as you thought you were having a "down" period. Bet that's made your w/end!"

"WOW that's just what we want to hear well done to DS, tell him well done from us.
Have a great weekend, you've made my day!"

"OK.....I am really crying now!!!  Just when you were feeling a bit frustrated with it all. Yippie!!!! Thanks for sharing!!"

"Well what can I say! Brilliant news for 1Kid and I can just see him standing there in the office with a big grin on his face."

"It is absolutely wonderful news!!!!!!!  I am so delighted for you both."

Wobble board; floor or carpet??

2007-04-18T20:46:00.000-06:00

On the forum, discussion came up about working with the wobble board on the carpet versus a harder surface (non-slip of course). Here is an example of 1Kid doing the wobble board on either surface. He's been doing them on the carpet, with a lot more ease. His specialist noted that he SHOULD be doing them on the harder surface, hence the greater challenge, much to 1Kid's chagrin. Pardon the camera hogs (2Dogs).

What on Earth happenned????

2007-04-18T18:27:00.000-06:00

Well, we seem to have lost (hoping just temporarily misplaced) the couple of good weeks we had; 1Kid is back to his "old self." There are so many things going on in his young mind hormonally, naturally-developmentally, school stress, changes from the therapy. It's a lot going on. I wish in all my heart that he would have been one of those participants that starting seeing great things right away, and they stayed for the most part. 1Kid is going to have it a bit tougher, I think. BUT, those two weeks were a wonderful glimmer of what it is supposed to be like once he is through, and I hold on to that. With all my heart.

One that's getting easier.

2007-04-16T20:44:00.000-06:00

Here is one of 1Kid's activities. Part of the sequence requires walking in place, with eyes closed, and turning the head from side to side. You try it!

2007-04-13T20:28:00.000-06:00

I have been reading as much as I can about the cerebellum connection. I came across a research meta-study article regarding the movement-based treatments with dyslexia. It seemed that the information the researchers pulled together, they could not isolate dyslexics with testable balance deficits because other factors such as IQ, ADHD, other LD's or difficulties played a part. Therefore, they concluded the therapy may not work. The problem I saw after really thinking about what this article said, was that they were trying, as so many therapists, researches and scientists do, is to attempt to pull apart and isolate these LDs, where in most cases there is at least one tag-along, sometimes more. So, in this persons effort to debunk the whole CDD/therapy idea, it just made a stronger argument FOR CDD and Dore therapy, because balance deficits cannot be singled out to a single unique LD in an individual. You treat one, you treat them all, because that is the root of the cause, it just manifests in different individuals in different ways.

Maybe someday, then it can be discovered how the cerebellum comes to be this way in some individuals in the first place.

2007-04-09T17:44:00.000-06:00

Another Little Thing

2007-04-09T16:18:00.000-06:00

1Kid seems to be coming out of himself just a bit. This is showing by a little more consideration and a little more awareness of how he and his actions affect others. One of the constant struggles revolves around getting ready for nighttime, which usually means a lot of prodding, prodding, and prodding. Last night, he came over after ready-time, still a little wound up from the holiday with his dad, defragged a little on his computer, then stated that he was going to get ready, AND take the timer so that *I* could get to bed on time! It was all really very sweet! I remain guarded, but things are changing for good, despite he's going through puberty and more naturally irritable. Yay Dore!

Doing Laundry

2007-04-02T12:26:00.000-06:00

This past weekend has to have been the best weekend we have had together. I did not feel like "the enemy" once this entire week. Another remarkable thing I noticed with 1Kid during the weekend, is with his laundry. I usually prod him at least a few times to get it going, with both of us feeling frustrated by the time he got around to it. Putting it away, he usually would look at that just-cleaned pile that he did in all one huge load in typical guy fashion, and would just stare at in in overwhelm, then get distracted, then ask for my help with it. He got through it all, actually, with very little prodding yesterday. I think he put it all up within three minutes flat, like the entire chore was no big deal. I was aghast!

Perhaps my job is going to get a little easier??? :-)

Here is a snippet of today's exercise.

2007-04-01T20:32:00.001-06:00

1Kid's memory of things seems to be continuing on. I am writing with another mother, who's son started Dore about the same time as 1Kid, and she is noticing the same increase in memory with her son. It is very comforting to know it is a common result to see around this time in the therapy, and not just from something else. He is starting to also feel better about himself. We just chatted this morning about him seeming happier. He said that he was just not that into the program, even a bit rebellious, because of fear of how he was going to become different. Now, as he is himself starting to see the daily benefits, he is really going at the therapy with a different zeal that is so wonderful to see.

Here is today's exercise. 1Kid is to track the beanbag that is going above his head from hand to hand, with no head movement. It was good for him to see the shot, because even when he feels like he's not moving his head, there it is, very slightly.

Not Complaining!

2007-03-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

1Kid hasn't complained much lately. I give him a quick forewarning before starting that I will be quickly/briefly correcting him, and that he make the correction as best he can, stay quiet and focused, and continue on. The forewarning seems to help prepare him for correction if he needs it. He's been very compliant as of late.

2nd Happy Proud Moment!!

2007-03-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

One more happy I have to report! 1Kid's memory is seeming to really be responding to the therapy. This is his first day back from his dad's house, after a week over there, and again, for the first time, remembered, on his own, to bring his Dore notebook over here, as well as his supplement med-box. He has to go into the refrigerator to grab that, so this is a big deal, being out of sight out of mind. I had totally given up on counting on either 1Kid or his dad to make sure those two items made it back over here without another inconveniencing trip. I emphasized again to 1Kid how proud I am of all the hard work he is putting into the therapy, especially of late, and he is getting results just as he is supposed to be. He seemed pleased with himself, as he should be. You not only affect yourself when you do not take care of your stuff by getting a low self-esteem, depressed, etc, but you disappoint and let others down as well, which exacerbates the downfall.

The OCD Link

2007-03-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, runs very strong on my mom's side of the family. I see it in myself, my brother, his kids, and 1Kid. Actually, more when he was younger. Usually OCD is thought of as hand-washing, but 1Kid and I don't do that, though grandma and niece do, we do other things. Things have to be just so, and may make no sense, just repetitive routines, rituals, and ways bring comfort and security. 1Kid's cute quirks when he was little, would be to put all the crayolas back in the box the way they came, or if no box, he'd line them all up in the storage box color-wise and neatly, rather than just toss 'em in. When he got a gift or a toy, he'd cut the plastic package just so, so that when done playing with it, he'd put it all back in the package like it was brand new again. I don't think that's something they grow out of, just it shows differently, especially when puberty hits. Hoping that Dore may be the "door" to the opening up of oneself.

What is CDD?????

2007-03-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

CDD (cerebellar development delay) is a term coined by Dore, and not really recognized yet elsewhere in therapy, from what I have seen The idea, however, seems to be creeping in elsewhere, but very, very slowly. It is not something likely a neurological or educational expert is even going to really recognize yet. That is so sad that many children do not fit into a diagnosal box, and are not helped because of that!!!

1st Happy Proud Moment

2007-03-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

OK, we may have something here……….

1Kid is on spring break this week. His dad just dropped him off to spend the day at my house, and, of all things, HE CALLED ME to let me know he was at my house.

Now, this is a little thing, but I asked him, as I always do, to let me know he is now at my house, but he NEVER does on his own, and I usually have to call him. Today was a first! I told him I was very proud of him, he should be very proud of all the hard work he’s been doing, and that things may be starting to come together for him, and this is one way it is showing, in his memory of his responsibilities. I told him this is what the therapy is supposed to do. He sounded very excited. I also reminded him, since he was worried that his life would get *so much harder* that didn’t it feel good to remember something on his own? (Yes!) Do you think this might make your life easier instead of harder? (YES!)

Observations of Sports

2007-03-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Do ADHD'ers understand the rules of sports? 1Kid seems to understand the rules of sports, but I never see him in phys ed class, I wouldn't really know how or if he fully knows what's going on. I know I don't! He understands football when he sees it on TV. I have heard, but don't know if this suits every ADHD'er, that they may fit better in personally individual competitive activities, rather than team sports. 1Kid was in softball a few years back, and didn't seem to really "get it," just by my observation. He likes track though, as he is on his own. I always did dance classes, speech class, and band stuff, and felt I had a niche there, and feel there is real value in those activities for personal achievement if the team sports are not their thing! This is even one thing I am noticing too, with his exercises, is that I see that personal competition going on with himself more now, especially as they are getting harder. Blap if he is going to let the edge of that wobble board touch the ground!!!

Why Argue?

2007-03-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

I gave up on mentioning the Dore program to 1Kid's physicians, teachers, etc, a long time ago, because I just don't like the attitude. His counselor at school is very supportive though, and is watching him. I don't really care if there are proper studies on this or not. It just so happens that there are several similar therapies being offered in our private schools, very quietly going about their business of helping children like ours, with no studies, etc, but many happy parents and students as the outcome. That's all I need. None of us know how our children will be when the transference is complete. I just read in my contract that it can occur even after the therapy is completed.

Bumpy Road

2007-03-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a couple of bumpy weeks after returning from 1Kid's last evaluation. He really rebelled against having to mark an activity as hard, or to be corrected. We have had a few good (short) conversations, and it's been much better. I've shown him as many testimonials as I could to help him understand that what he is doing is VERY IMPORTANT, thus needs some time, seriousness, consideration, and thoroughness devoted to it, by himself and his dad when he is over there every other week. So, this week has been much better. He is realizing when something is hard and he has some wiggle room for improvement, which will eventually lead to results. And, I told him, when I correct him, I am following the guidelines given, we read through them before hand, and to just quickly make the adjustment and do the best he can for the remainder of the activity, WITHOUT COMMENT. (No further discussion is required) I do the activity under HIS direction the first time, so he can correct me if needed, and it helps him to understand it better. He likes telling me what to do and correcting me! :-) So, overall, it's been easier for him to focus on the activity, rather than feeling oppositional! The activities are gradually starting to stretch him too, so I think he's realizing the importance, particularly after doing them as "hard" and at the end they are "easy." Whew!

The Dore ACE Test

2007-03-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

I took the ACE test this morning, and the results really surprised me. I scored very low in reaction speed, boing, and parts of words. These are areas I thought I did not have any trouble with during the test, and the parts I DID have trouble with, and had JUST a tad of anxiety, were the number and sequencing recalls where I know I got some wrong, and it showed I scored strong?? But, it did mark that I am strong in kinesthetic processing and hands-on learning, which I already know. It was interesting to take. It may be a bit of a problem for youth taking it in the US, as the accent/pronunciation of the voice-over female may affect the comprehension of different words during the test if someone is not familiar with the British accent. It was a very comprehensive, fun-to-take test, and I think it would start to give some clues for some issues or deficits! I may try to have 1Kid take it to see what comes up.

Who's Learning From Who?

2007-03-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

Isn't it wonderful how we learn so much about ourselves from our own children? That seems so odd to me that many don't realize they have learning disabilities until they go for higher education! That is sad in a way. I want so much for for my son that I was able to accomplish for myself. But, in all this searching, I hope to find some hints about myself as well, like why I was never able to finish college and get through the sciences and maths. I guess 1Kid and I are on this journey together! :-)

Challenges With the Exercises

2007-03-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

1Kid is doing/has done quite a few standing on one leg activites. The clapping ones too. I think that's getting us prepared for the mental tasks. He also has ones where part of it is he is standing on one leg, balancing, AND with the eyes closed. When reviewing them with him, I have a hard time with that one, and we marked it hard. He is also doing some of the crossing-the-midline activites, which is a lot to think about, all while keeping the beanie on his head AND looking straight ahead. The keeping focused on the spot in front has been the biggest challenge. Partly from not wanting to trip over the *2dogs* !

Dore and the Retained Reflexes

2007-03-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

On the retained reflexes, Dore tests for the Moro (startle reflex) and the STNR reflex, and I am not sure about the other reflexes. I understand from talking with one of the physicians, that they were relatively new at understanding the importance of getting the primitive reflexes out of the way first and had been possibly a question in why some of the graduates did not do as well as expected. It seems that they are incorporating that issue into the therapy more now than before.

Many of the results/improvements come gradually, and can be overlooked at the time, unless you journal and can look back over time and see the changes. The funnest ones to read about are the ones that click and they are there. From having it happen to me, it is a very happy feeling.

Better Day

2007-03-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say, that 1Kid has gotten a better attitude about things. Last night and this morning he was definitely more into his therapy. Whew. Motivation is definitely a factor with this stuff......

Battles

2007-03-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

I feel horrible in many ways. In a way, it seems 1Kid thinks this is one more way he is feeling controlled. This morning were more battles as I was "coaching" and correcting his therapy. I will keep reminding him that we are doing this to make his life EASIER, not that life will heap more expectations onto him because of it. GAH! I told him to remember what it was like when he was on medication, and that the goal of this program was to help him like that, to keep him on task and not so scattered. Perhaps he is in the midst of a restructuring too, I don't know. I just know, that it would have been much easier if he was much younger. Young teens have enough to worry about.

What Will it be Like at the End?

2007-03-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

1Kid is just so different than me, and it's hard to experience him for just who he is, and what he is not, and to appreciate that he is so quite different. We talked a bit (3 sentences maybe??) about the program, and his expectations. He did say he was just a tad rebellious about it, that he would have MORE expectations heaped upon him if he improved, and by golly he did NOT want THAT. LOL. I reassured him, no, it doesn't work like that, it will only make his life that much easier. That's the goal anyway. He nodded in understanding on his way out of the room~

2007-02-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

1Kid came through the evaluation yesterday.

The center of gravity alignment is WAAAAAAY improved, he had a tighter group, and all within the box.

1Kid and I also got a review on doing the exercises correctly, with good form, focus, and performing with full range of motion, and slowing way down with them. His therapist said he would actually get through the program faster if he did them correctly, and slowly, and focused.

1Kid did start out on the high end of most of the tests. That makes me a little worried though, because I would think that the lower the scores, the MORE improvements there are to be made, and he still just SOOOO ADHD! :-( How much improvement can he make if he is already up there in the numbers??? He is holding on to many of the same activities as his last set, plus more of similar ones, no mental tasks yet. :-( The therapist reviewed with us that even though he marked them all "easy" that some should be marked hard, and to be done more than for three days. She reiterated the "easy" "hard" guidelines, and yes, he should have been spending more days on some of them. It's soooo hard to get him to slow down and not fidget, talk, etc while doing them!!!

Still Sick or Again

2007-02-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Quasi update: 1Kid has been really sick the last few weeks, he morphed from a very severe sore throat to the stomach flu, or IBS or something. It was horrible. Worse was given a diagnosis of irritable bowel with no testing. URgh. But, he got back to school yesterday after our holiday, and is back to his normal self. I'm trying to leave him be with the majority of makeup work, and he his getting himself really very organized, and "sayz" it's all in order. Gawd, I hope so! After rescheduling his 2nd eval a few times, he has his next one scheduled for next Tuesday. He's about to run out of his activities, and they said he could go back and do the harder ones over again till he gets in and gets another set.

Being Carsick

2007-02-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

1Kid and I both have motion sickness/car sickness. I had actually asked about that during the initial Dore evaluation, and was told that the program would likely wrap that complaint up as well, since the mechanism that causes it is the same area that Dore therapy targets.

What are the Mental Tasks?

2007-02-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

1Kid's next step will be what they call the mental tasks. What exactly is that? Is it more work for mama? If so, I better get ready before his next round comes up. He is still pretty sick, and I'm thinking there may be a secondary infection popping up. He hasn't done any activities since last week. Over a week off. He tried to do one of them and it made him nauseated very quickly.

Dore and the Omegas

2007-02-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

I just found out at our "false" appointment on Saturday, that Dore changed their policy on taking the omegas! They OK'd 1Kid to take the daily minimum dose (but they couldn't really determine what that was) for three times a week. I am going to start 1Kid back on them, she thought that 1 gram which is what comes in one capsule, would be fine. Whew!

Sick for Second Eval

2007-02-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

1Kid is still sick! We went to the appt anyways, and he is weak/head achy/congested still. He tried the posturography and his therapist thought the results were not accurate. She thought the tracking tests would be just as "off." His tests up to this point have been pretty strong, but Saturday's were way in the reds. I'm still waiting for his medical test results to see if he has mono, strep, or both. He's on day 6 of feeling pretty miserable. We are just going to call when he's no longer sick, but if it's mono, that could be awhile. He's been trying to do some of the exercises, but cannot do some of them right now!

A Little History

2007-01-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

1Kid is only mildly ADHD, and has some low scores in his reading and comprehension. I have some faith that the eye tracking results will help with that, and hope his scores will be better this year. All through his schooling, he's always scored low in comprehension. He has troubles understanding his assignments, thoroughly reading and SEEING every detail on the page. When we go through his papers together it's better, but his eyes just pop over some really important things on those papers. He is a whiz at math though, THANK GOODNESS! And, he has the typical ADHD struggles, forgetfulness, follow through, following directions and instructions if more than one at a time is given, listening in conversations, impulsivity.

He's such an easygoing kid though, and he's not much ever complained about doing the therapy. We work together on them, and it's fun most of the time. The biggest motivator, if you think about something hard you have had to do, is when your family was besides you the entire time.

Comparing Scores

2007-01-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

Interestingly, 1Kid did show better scores on all of his areas at his eval. He's not a severe case, and was just inching into the green areas, prior. After the Bender therapy, he was well within most of them, but still on the low side, meaning there is still work to be done. He actually did the worst on the vestibular scores. We really are having fun working on the activities together. Some seem a bit like patting the head and rubbing the belly though~

5 Week Update

2007-01-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

I think 1Kid is around that time frame for having some brain fuzziness. He is at week 5 right now, so that makes sense. You just never know if it is the program, or other things going on! 1Kid likes to do the exercises, they don't take long, and the beat crawling on the floor for half an hour like we had been. :-) I do go over them with him and we review them together. I read them with him, and then we compare notes, and he almost always catches something I missed. Just getting through those instructions is a test in focus and concentration! After doing the STNR therapy though, he has really come a long way in his comprehension and understanding of them, and it is easier for him to focus WHILST doing his exercises as well. I've noticed a big improvement in is "scatteredness" and hope that is carrying on into other parts of his day. I know I'm not getting ANY phone calls or negative reports from school this year, and his grades have gradually inched up.

First Dore Evaluation After the Bender Program

2006-12-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Update! 1Kid had his Dore re-evaluation on Wednesday, We had to move it up a week. Remember, he did only one month of the Dore program, and then we did the Bender program. We still have about 5 weeks to go though on the Bender program. Anyway, he tested a tad better on a part of the posturography test, and significant difference in the visual tracking. I think she said on one portion it went from 89 to 93 %accuracy. I am not surprised to hear that, as I can tell that my own eye tracking activities have become much easier. She did say that for whatever reason someone would need to take off of the Dore program, they would typically stay the same or maybe drop off a little, so we could concur that the improvements during the time off were due to the Bender program. Since his situation was a little different, and since he had the hiatus, she was going to send his results to the UK evaluators to prescribe his next set of exercises, and he can get started. So, that is that for now, until the next appt in 6 weeks or so.

We are definitely making some positive neurological changes by the work we are doing!

2006-12-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

Bender Therapy Results are in

2006-10-28T15:58:00.000-06:00

I have noticed some interesting results from the Bender therapy (for the STNR reflex) as well. Being more on purpose in my thoughts and my processes and actions. I'm just not mentally drifting off as much. And my short-term memory recall has increased dramatically as well. It's funny, these things literally just kicked in, on one day and have stayed! So, my work day has gone much better, and I'm not as mentally drained, being able to compare a before and after, it is totally mentally draining trying SO HARD to stay on task physically and mentally, having some relief from this symptom is really very wonderful and freeing!

1Kid starts up with Dore again in December, he only had one month before we took off for the Bender Program. They are going to do another mini-assessment with the posturography and eye-tracking, etc, and I am interested to see what improvements come from only one month of Dore, and 6 months of the STNR therapy.

We are both doing a therapy for a reflex (STNR) that is matured through crawling, that when NOT matured, interferes with learning, and causes some of the ADHD symptoms, and both of us have had some relief of some symptoms as well, just from that, and the therapy is no cost at all, just the cost of the book. We are doing this first, as it comes developmentally before the neurological changes that Dore addresses. 1Kid will start up with Dore again on December 13, so hopefully we will have some exciting news as well in a few months.

Dore is Not a Scam

2006-09-15T15:57:00.000-06:00

Dore is not a scam. It is a genuine treatment. It's a little different, so not widely accepted. Dore conglomerates many different exercises that have been used for many, many years that stimulate the cerebellum, and correct at the core many symptoms of ADHD. The therapy builds and restructures neural pathways. I have had the opportunity to talk with a good number of individuals who have gone through the program, and that are going through it now. The centers often have no-charge open houses where you can meet the therapists, see the testing and therapy equipment, and most of all, ask questions.

Being a single mom, I have put much thought and blood/sweat and tears (financially) into this program for my son, and wouldn't do it if I thought he would not see any improvements. It was recommended to me by a friend who saw such dramatic improvements in a friend's ADHD, ODD son that he got me into looking into the program.

Going Coachless

2006-09-04T15:55:00.000-06:00

1Kid did the hopping exercise, he ended up in the other side of the room! Must be careful. We might have to ask for coachless ones when we go back because he will be doing some of them alone. We both had sort of a scatterbrained-under construction feeling for a while on the Bender program too. I even had my field of vision affected!? The exercises seem fun to do, and yet a challenge. We didn't mind spending the time together on them.

Eye Tracking and the Therapies

2006-08-20T15:53:00.000-06:00

With the Bender therapy that we are doing right now before Mark starts Dore again, I have noticed some things. The Bender therapy does not include eye tracking exercises, but it is much easier for me to do eye-tracking tasks, because of this therapy, such as that I reported at work maneuvering between 13-15 open applications to complete each task. Which interestingly, in turn, makes me not want to daydream and drift as I do when I get lost in the task process. I believe that is the specific reason my concentration and focus are improved so far. In fact, there is an additional application that was optional to use as a book which I have tried on several attempts to use on the computer and just not been able to. However, I can use it now with very little difficulty as an application.

Bottom line, I wonder if the eye-tracking exercises done with Dore will bring on about the same result, in basically ease of focus, concentration, and keeping our brains on task, simply because we are not trying with such exhausting difficulty to constantly "find and keep our way to where we are going?" It is like before, it was so difficult to "get there" so the brain wanders because wandering is much easier to do.

An Ah-HA moment, this is what perhaps what the eyetracking (and exercises to develop it) has to do with ADHD.

2006-05-10T17:51:00.000-06:00