Here is the letter S will be giving to his teachers when he starts school next week:
Dear Teacher,
I would like to provide you with some information one of your Grade 9 students this year – S.
I know you will be receiving a copy of his IEP within the next few weeks, but I thought it would be best to start the year with all of details about his special educational requirements fully explained, and to also let you know that I would appreciate being kept aware of his progress in your classroom via email. Above, you will notice I’ve provided my various contact numbers and home email address for your records.
S has been diagnosed with a number of learning disabilities, in addition to having ADHD, Aspergers and a Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He has had a board-provided laptop for two years, and has been well-trained on all of the programs installed on his system. S and I also participated in a Board-sanctioned training program over the summer and we are both prepared to ensure a positive and successful transition to his next level of education.
While attending the training program in August, the Superintendent of Special Education assured the parents that most of the text books utilized in our schools have already been scanned and are available through the Board office. I would appreciate it if you could let me know the details of any textbooks that will be used in your classroom so that I can ensure he has what is required already on his system. If you can email with this information sometime this week, I will confirm the data is on his system over the weekend.
In addition to having his textbook available electronically, I wanted to advise you that S does have a graphomotor disability, and should not be requested to copy detailed notes from the board. His IEP will indicate that this information be provided to him already prepared, so that he can make notations as the work is being discussed in class. (If possible, it would ideal if the information could be provided in advance to allow him the opportunity to scan it into the laptop prior to class and make electronic notations, but I do realize this won’t always be realistic.)
S will utilize Kurzweil (a text-to-voice software program) to assist him with the reading of the text, and Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) will be used for the inputting of his information. DNS is a text-to-voice program that allows him to share his thoughts and ideas freely – he will use this program to speak into the computer, get his thought into print, and will then require some time to edit the information into suitable context.
For the past three years, S has had EA support, and I have been advised this will continue during his time at your school. I’m not fully understanding of how EA support works within the high school environment and ask for your patience while both S and I adjust to this.
Now, a little bit about his Aspergers. In January 2008, S underwent some extensive medical testing, including an fMRI at a hospital. The fMRI is a functional MRI that actually monitored and assessed his brainwave function. In a nutshell – and using a few technical terms as possible! - the results of this test indicated that S needs information to be provided repetitively for it to become rote - his brain simply does not encode novel tasks. He processes everything in a literal manner, and is not able to conceptualize how his present actions can/will affect his future. He lacks imagination and will not be able to visual/conceptualize new ideas. He can neither read nor understand facial expressions/voice tones, and often will not look you in the eye when speaking. He will not do this to be rude – he simply is unable to do this, so please don’t force this issue as he can become agitated.
With respect to the ADHD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), S has been fortunate to have been experiencing fewer and fewer symptoms of the GAD, and hopefully won’t have any problems at highschool. He has been known to become very anxious during transitional periods or during times that are out of the norm (such as leaving ‘normal class’ to go to the gym for an assembly.) Past experience has shown that when advised of schedule adjustments in advance, he tends to cope better. S experiences typical ADHD behaviour – sometimes he will need gentle reminders to remain on task (without drawing attention to him) and he does not have innate organizational abilities. Due to his short working memory, he will require reminders about recording homework assignments and assistance in determining the best plan of attack for large projects/assignments. Again, this is where it would be helpful to send me an email with homework details so that I can ensure he stays on task.
Despite the conditions I have explained to you, S is a very happy teen that truly wants to do well, and is very willing to please others. Nothing makes him happier than to be of assistance in some way, shape or form. He is very musically inclined, loves to do magic tricks, and is happy to tell you the latest joke he has heard. He has an average-to-above-average IQ, and has the ability to do well in school if provided the necessary accommodations. S has been the target of bullies in the past, and as such, tends to want to ensure all rules are clearly explained and treatment for all is ‘fair.’
I have always been very involved in my son’s education, and would like to see this continue at high school. I realize that my child is not perfect, and I also recognize that S’s perception is often very different than the perception of others. I am willing to take the time to ‘peel the layers’ to get to the heart of any/all issues with him, and it is my sincere hope that together we will have an opportunity to ensure his success. Once the school year has begun, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and further discuss the information I’ve included in this letter. I apologize for the length of this letter, however I feel it is very important to start the new year/new school with as much information shared as possible.
I will contact the school within the next two weeks to set up a meeting if I don’t hear from you prior.
Thank you for your time – I look forward to meeting you soon.
Showing posts with label fMRI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fMRI. Show all posts
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thursday, May 22, 2008
New execptionality
I had an IPRC meeting on Tuesday for S. This was a standard, “have it every Spring,” type of meeting, so it wasn’t something that I really had to prepare for.
Given the report from the hospital – and the results of the fMRI – the school wanted to change S’s exceptionality from “Multiple” to “Autism”.
The multiple part of his exceptionality was to encompass his learning disabilities and his anxiety disorder, which can often account for the negative behaviour. The school suggested that we change over to the Autism area of the IPRC, because they felt it would better encompass his newly diagnosis of Aspergers.
I was a little hesitant about signing off on this change, for obvious reasons. This has finally been a good year for him. He has been having a very successful year, and I am positive that this has happened because of all of the accommodations that are in place for him. I did not want to see any of these be taken away from him.
I asked, time and time again, at the meeting for the reassurance that changing his exceptionality would not change the accommodations that are in place. I also wanted to make sure that all of the past IPRC reports would remain in his OSR. He will be going in to his ‘transition’ year next year – and a new school the following year. I do not want to have to start the battle again come Grade 9. I have been assured that all of the records will remain in the file; therefore the high school will have access to all of these files.
I have been stewing about it this for almost a week. (I had even broached the subject at my board meeting last week.) One lady on the board told me that the school is likely pushing for the Autism exceptionality because there is so much more funding available to the school through the Ministry of Education. After talking with everyone at the board meeting, and then at the school meeting, I decided that I would sign off on the new exceptionality. The end result is the same – he needs accommodations, we know why he needs them, we know what has (and has not) worked in the past, and I will continue to ensure all of that continues to happen. WHY he is exceptional doesn’t really matter. I also have copies of all of the information in his OSR, and if something should go missing, it will be amazing how quick another copy will arrive.
Considering the success the A-man has been having in high school, I don’t think the transition will be that difficult. The school has an amazing head of resource, and I am sure it will be good for S, too.
Given the report from the hospital – and the results of the fMRI – the school wanted to change S’s exceptionality from “Multiple” to “Autism”.
The multiple part of his exceptionality was to encompass his learning disabilities and his anxiety disorder, which can often account for the negative behaviour. The school suggested that we change over to the Autism area of the IPRC, because they felt it would better encompass his newly diagnosis of Aspergers.
I was a little hesitant about signing off on this change, for obvious reasons. This has finally been a good year for him. He has been having a very successful year, and I am positive that this has happened because of all of the accommodations that are in place for him. I did not want to see any of these be taken away from him.
I asked, time and time again, at the meeting for the reassurance that changing his exceptionality would not change the accommodations that are in place. I also wanted to make sure that all of the past IPRC reports would remain in his OSR. He will be going in to his ‘transition’ year next year – and a new school the following year. I do not want to have to start the battle again come Grade 9. I have been assured that all of the records will remain in the file; therefore the high school will have access to all of these files.
I have been stewing about it this for almost a week. (I had even broached the subject at my board meeting last week.) One lady on the board told me that the school is likely pushing for the Autism exceptionality because there is so much more funding available to the school through the Ministry of Education. After talking with everyone at the board meeting, and then at the school meeting, I decided that I would sign off on the new exceptionality. The end result is the same – he needs accommodations, we know why he needs them, we know what has (and has not) worked in the past, and I will continue to ensure all of that continues to happen. WHY he is exceptional doesn’t really matter. I also have copies of all of the information in his OSR, and if something should go missing, it will be amazing how quick another copy will arrive.
Considering the success the A-man has been having in high school, I don’t think the transition will be that difficult. The school has an amazing head of resource, and I am sure it will be good for S, too.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Clinical Interpretation
This is what the testings findings said:
"S showed left hemispheric dominance for the receptive and expressive language functions, but no activation of the mesial temporal lobes during novelty scene encoding task. Please note that he had a very good pretesting abiltity to do all the tests outside the scanner. However, all the fMRI studies for language and memory testing yielded low activation levels. Post-scanning recall of the scene encoding paradigm shows about 20% lower recall ability compared to our healthy controls. Clinical correlation is required with respect to the significance of these findings among patients with Asperger's syndrome."
The doctor wrote some things on the sheet, but I can't make them out. I know there was something about the hippocampus...will have to confirm that too!
Are we having fun yet?
"S showed left hemispheric dominance for the receptive and expressive language functions, but no activation of the mesial temporal lobes during novelty scene encoding task. Please note that he had a very good pretesting abiltity to do all the tests outside the scanner. However, all the fMRI studies for language and memory testing yielded low activation levels. Post-scanning recall of the scene encoding paradigm shows about 20% lower recall ability compared to our healthy controls. Clinical correlation is required with respect to the significance of these findings among patients with Asperger's syndrome."
The doctor wrote some things on the sheet, but I can't make them out. I know there was something about the hippocampus...will have to confirm that too!
Are we having fun yet?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Left Brain vs. Right Brain
The results of the fMRI are in. Based on the findings, S functions primarily with the left side of his brain. Very little, to almost none, of functioning is completed on the right side of his brain. New information - very little taken in. He showed zero response to novel concepts. Additionally, I was told that what is taken in, comes in slower than 'normal' and comprehension about 20% below the norm.
I am dazed and confused right now, I will be honest. Oh, and did I mention that, clinically, S has Asperger's AND a non-verbal learning disability. Yeah, he does. Am I surprised? Not really, but I guess part of me was holding out hope that we wouldn't be told this.
There were all kinds of medical lingo thrown around this morning, and my poor wee non-medical brain is having quite the time absorbing all of this. I've done some Internet searching - as I am prone to do - and have found a few websites that might be able to help me understand a bit further.
One website, called Wired, has a pretty good summary about the left and right functions of the brain. It told me,
I am dazed and confused right now, I will be honest. Oh, and did I mention that, clinically, S has Asperger's AND a non-verbal learning disability. Yeah, he does. Am I surprised? Not really, but I guess part of me was holding out hope that we wouldn't be told this.
There were all kinds of medical lingo thrown around this morning, and my poor wee non-medical brain is having quite the time absorbing all of this. I've done some Internet searching - as I am prone to do - and have found a few websites that might be able to help me understand a bit further.
One website, called Wired, has a pretty good summary about the left and right functions of the brain. It told me,
"The left hemisphere handles sequence, literalness, and analysis. The rightThis site also has a very interesting 'diagram' of the human brain and 'how' it functions:
hemisphere, meanwhile, takes care of context, emotional expression, and
synthesis."
Knowing S, when I saw this summary of which side of the brain controls certain things, it certainly explains some things:
Left brain functions
sequential
analytical
verbal
logical
linear algorithmic processing
mathematics: perception of counting/measurement
present and past
language: grammar/vocabulary, literal
Right brain functions
simultaneous
holistic
imagistic
intuitive
holistic algorithmic processing
mathematics: perception of shapes/motions
present and future
language: intonation/accentuation, prosody, pragmatic, contextual
S is very literal in all that he does. He is not able to conceptualize how his present actions will/can affect his future. He doesn't have a very good imagination - to come up with something new and unique is not his forte...
The main question now is - can it be 'fixed'? We ran out of time before the doctor was able to fully establish a therapy plan of attack, but this will be done with both him and I, via email for the next little bit. In the interm, I will continue to do research!
Results day
Today is the day we get the results of S's fMRI. I know we won't have any miraculous breakthroughs or anything like that, however, I am hoping we will be able to get a copy of the DVD to watch. Again, we won't really know what we are watching, but I still think it will be very fascinating!
I am also very interested to find out what types of therapies the doctor is going to recommend, and which - if any - mental health issues they should address. I'm sure it will be a very long, yet informative appointment.
Yesterday's "ice day" was pretty ironic - it was 8 (above freezing) for most of the day, and all of the snow/ice on the driveway melted, and a lot of the snow off the deck melted. Crazy to think they called the buses off the road for such a nice day! The R-man informed me this morning, though, that they are calling for a winter storm tonight. Nice. March - lion to lamb...I guess we have to see the lion part to appreciate the lamb, right?
Speaking of lamb, I am going to be heading down to Cuz's house this weekend to go to the Canada Bloom's Show. She doesn't live real close to where the show is held, but at least she is closer than I. Now, that said, I have made a big boo-boo, and done a wee bit of double-booking myself this weekend. But, I think a workable plan has been hatched, and we will STILL get to spend some quality time together - which we have not been able to do as much as we like to do normally.
Cuz, I won't be able to arrive until close to supper time on Saturday evening - Hubby is working Friday night, and I have an appointment/date with Jazzy's mom earlier on Saturday, so I thought I would be able to make it for drinks on Saturday, then we could head to the show on Sunday. Would that work?? I won't rush away after the show, but I think that is going to be the most workable option right now.
The A-man just read my last sentence over my shoulder and said, "Ugh...you are leaving again?? Every weekend you leave us...you hate us don't you?" He knows that is not true, but he sure does know how to pull on those heart strings...
Speaking of the A-man...toes are still looking icky, but I think we have been able to drain most of the infection. I am going to monitor things, and continue to pick at things, for a couple of days, and if I don't think I am going to be able to be successful with the hang nail, I will be making a doctor's appointment.
Hubby and I have made an appointment with a nutritionist for March 17. We have been planning on going to see her for quite a while, but the past few months have been just far to chaotic to even consider doing major dietary changes, too. It is time.
I am also very interested to find out what types of therapies the doctor is going to recommend, and which - if any - mental health issues they should address. I'm sure it will be a very long, yet informative appointment.
Yesterday's "ice day" was pretty ironic - it was 8 (above freezing) for most of the day, and all of the snow/ice on the driveway melted, and a lot of the snow off the deck melted. Crazy to think they called the buses off the road for such a nice day! The R-man informed me this morning, though, that they are calling for a winter storm tonight. Nice. March - lion to lamb...I guess we have to see the lion part to appreciate the lamb, right?
Speaking of lamb, I am going to be heading down to Cuz's house this weekend to go to the Canada Bloom's Show. She doesn't live real close to where the show is held, but at least she is closer than I. Now, that said, I have made a big boo-boo, and done a wee bit of double-booking myself this weekend. But, I think a workable plan has been hatched, and we will STILL get to spend some quality time together - which we have not been able to do as much as we like to do normally.
Cuz, I won't be able to arrive until close to supper time on Saturday evening - Hubby is working Friday night, and I have an appointment/date with Jazzy's mom earlier on Saturday, so I thought I would be able to make it for drinks on Saturday, then we could head to the show on Sunday. Would that work?? I won't rush away after the show, but I think that is going to be the most workable option right now.
The A-man just read my last sentence over my shoulder and said, "Ugh...you are leaving again?? Every weekend you leave us...you hate us don't you?" He knows that is not true, but he sure does know how to pull on those heart strings...
Speaking of the A-man...toes are still looking icky, but I think we have been able to drain most of the infection. I am going to monitor things, and continue to pick at things, for a couple of days, and if I don't think I am going to be able to be successful with the hang nail, I will be making a doctor's appointment.
Hubby and I have made an appointment with a nutritionist for March 17. We have been planning on going to see her for quite a while, but the past few months have been just far to chaotic to even consider doing major dietary changes, too. It is time.
Monday, March 3, 2008
...and, REST...
I will admit it - I love going to hotels. I love going out to dinner, having drinks and meals "on the company", but I am VERY happy to be done all of that for yet another year. I was bone-tired when I got home last night! Even my cheeks hurt from smiling non-stop for three days. But, it was a good weekend, it was a fun weekend, and I am really glad I got to experience the 'other' side of the coin. It is more physically demanding, but alot less stress-inducing!
The flu seems to have worked its way through the house, thank heavens. I have not felt any grumblings in my body - touching wood here - and it would appear the A-man came through unscathed, also. I am not going in to work this morning, and I think I will play it by ear for this afternoon. We had quite a bit of freezing rain last night, and yet another snow day today, so if the roads are still nasty, I think I may not go in after all. May have a nap later... ;o)
I got an email from S's SERT telling me that she had been able to repair S's computer, but I was surprised by that because when I asked S about his laptop yesterday, he told me it wasn't fixed yet. Maybe she got it done and didn't tell him. Not sure.
S has his appointment tomorrow morning to get the results of his fMRI. I had sent some forms to the school, asking the teachers to complete the information, but I haven't seen the completed forms. Now today is a snow day - or would be an ice day?? - and we will be at the Doctor's for 9:30 am. I guess I will have to call and see if they can fax the forms directly to the doctor's office.
Last night the A-man mentioned that his big toe was sore. When I took a look at it, I said, "No kidding it hurts." He has a majorly infected ingrown toenail. Apparently it's been like this for a few weeks, but he never mentioned it. Oh, and his other toe is starting to hurt too. Yeah, it's also infected, but not as badly. I have made him soak it, and I've been working at the nail, but it hurts him so much. I'm feeling bad for him, but I want to know I've made the attempts to remedy it before I source out the doctor's office. Even searched the Internet to confirm the best way to proceed. Guess I will be going through some salt in the next few days...
That is the worst part about them growing up so fast - they insist on taking over the personal hygiene-type things, and won't let you near them, and then the next thing you know... I think he has learned this lesson the hard way, poor guy.
The flu seems to have worked its way through the house, thank heavens. I have not felt any grumblings in my body - touching wood here - and it would appear the A-man came through unscathed, also. I am not going in to work this morning, and I think I will play it by ear for this afternoon. We had quite a bit of freezing rain last night, and yet another snow day today, so if the roads are still nasty, I think I may not go in after all. May have a nap later... ;o)
I got an email from S's SERT telling me that she had been able to repair S's computer, but I was surprised by that because when I asked S about his laptop yesterday, he told me it wasn't fixed yet. Maybe she got it done and didn't tell him. Not sure.
S has his appointment tomorrow morning to get the results of his fMRI. I had sent some forms to the school, asking the teachers to complete the information, but I haven't seen the completed forms. Now today is a snow day - or would be an ice day?? - and we will be at the Doctor's for 9:30 am. I guess I will have to call and see if they can fax the forms directly to the doctor's office.
Last night the A-man mentioned that his big toe was sore. When I took a look at it, I said, "No kidding it hurts." He has a majorly infected ingrown toenail. Apparently it's been like this for a few weeks, but he never mentioned it. Oh, and his other toe is starting to hurt too. Yeah, it's also infected, but not as badly. I have made him soak it, and I've been working at the nail, but it hurts him so much. I'm feeling bad for him, but I want to know I've made the attempts to remedy it before I source out the doctor's office. Even searched the Internet to confirm the best way to proceed. Guess I will be going through some salt in the next few days...
That is the worst part about them growing up so fast - they insist on taking over the personal hygiene-type things, and won't let you near them, and then the next thing you know... I think he has learned this lesson the hard way, poor guy.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
An interesting concept
While I was at the conference in Jackson, I went to a seminar on "Face Reading." It's a very interesting concept, and one that I had never heard of before. Basically, she prefaced her seminar with "we are born with the face we have, but at 50, we have the face we have earned."
At first I was quite skeptical, and thinking it was quite hokey, but after she explained the concept, I was intrigued. The lady ended up "reading" the faces of 5 strangers, and when I saw the reactions of these people, I believed that what she was saying could just be true.
After the seminar, I went to ask her about the book she was selling. I asked what the price of the book was ($17.95) and she answered that, then read my face. I was shocked! She told me that the little lines on the bridge of my nose - she commented on the number of them - told her that I have a "disgustingly so" need to be a 'can do' person, and she told me that my small chin tells her that I am very hard on myself, and don't take critisism well, since "you already know everything that is wrong with you..."
I bought the book, and was using it to 'read' hubby's face. It takes a while to determine which 'shapes' match up to the person, but I can see how you could get used to it after a while. Anyway, hubby said that it seemed to be true. Of course, I know hubby's face quite well, and I know Hubby quite well, but when I read the section on the lines around his eyes, I said "No, that doesn't really describe you," and he surprised me with "Yes, it does - I just keep some things inside..."
Okay, enough for my book review and new topic of interest...
I contacted S's doctor yesterday, and we are going to go in for an appointment on March 4 to get the results of the fMRI. The doctor has requested the classroom teachers complete some information sheets prior to that appointment, too. It's only a week and a half away, but I wanted answers sooner than that - especially considering the 'silly' actions of S lately.
The A-man was VERY grouchy this morning, but I think he is getting over it now. Hubby has him helping with a dump run, and he was cranky that he has to 'work' on a weekend. Yeah, welcome to real life, buddy...
Okay, I am off to clean the house. Now that my busy time at work it done, hopefully I will be able to get the house back in to a state I can live with!
At first I was quite skeptical, and thinking it was quite hokey, but after she explained the concept, I was intrigued. The lady ended up "reading" the faces of 5 strangers, and when I saw the reactions of these people, I believed that what she was saying could just be true.
After the seminar, I went to ask her about the book she was selling. I asked what the price of the book was ($17.95) and she answered that, then read my face. I was shocked! She told me that the little lines on the bridge of my nose - she commented on the number of them - told her that I have a "disgustingly so" need to be a 'can do' person, and she told me that my small chin tells her that I am very hard on myself, and don't take critisism well, since "you already know everything that is wrong with you..."
I bought the book, and was using it to 'read' hubby's face. It takes a while to determine which 'shapes' match up to the person, but I can see how you could get used to it after a while. Anyway, hubby said that it seemed to be true. Of course, I know hubby's face quite well, and I know Hubby quite well, but when I read the section on the lines around his eyes, I said "No, that doesn't really describe you," and he surprised me with "Yes, it does - I just keep some things inside..."
Okay, enough for my book review and new topic of interest...
I contacted S's doctor yesterday, and we are going to go in for an appointment on March 4 to get the results of the fMRI. The doctor has requested the classroom teachers complete some information sheets prior to that appointment, too. It's only a week and a half away, but I wanted answers sooner than that - especially considering the 'silly' actions of S lately.
The A-man was VERY grouchy this morning, but I think he is getting over it now. Hubby has him helping with a dump run, and he was cranky that he has to 'work' on a weekend. Yeah, welcome to real life, buddy...
Okay, I am off to clean the house. Now that my busy time at work it done, hopefully I will be able to get the house back in to a state I can live with!
Friday, February 22, 2008
More of an update
When I got back to work yesterday, there was an update email from the Special Ed teacher with respect to S and both his laptop and his current classroom situations.
Some good news - the laptop system is finally back up and working again. That was going to be call number one made in the morning, but I was happy to hear that it was repaired while I was at the conference. Secondly, they have installed a new program on him system that will scanned written text, and turn it in to words and read back to S. The system is called Kurzweil, and although they have it on the computers in the classroom, this had not been made available to S while at home. (I thought one aspect of his software did this, and was very unhappy in the Fall when I realized it did not.) I have lobbied for him to get this system - as has the SERT - and thankfully that has now been done. Now, here is something even more incredible - they have actually trained S on how to use this new software! Yes, it's true - they have! I guess wonders will never cease.
The SERT was also emailing me to let me know that she has been successful in rearranging EA schedules, and now S will have an EA with him 100% of the time. This has proven to be very important in the French, as S tends to have more issues/concerns during this unassisted time than any other of the day.
S just told me that in addition to the Kurzweil system, they have also installed Dragon Naturally Speaking on to his school laptop, too. Now, this is a program Hubby and I actually bought way before he had his school system, but S didn't have a lot of success with it - and actually got to the point where he refused to use it. I'm not 100% sure why they gave him that, but hopefully the board will take the time to properly train him on it, and then in future if the Word Q stops working, he will have an alternative software program available to him.
I am going to send an email to the specialist today to see if the results of S's fMRI are in. I was advised that it would take at least two weeks for the final results, and we are just past three weeks, so I am hoping we will be able to learn more about what makes my youngest son tick.
Speaking of which - boy, did he EVER tick me off this morning. Non-stop acting like a total goof. I was able to to tolerate it for almost an hour this morning, but less than 5 minutes before he was scheduled to leave the house, I lost it on him.
My instructions were very clear - put your lunch in your bag, and let the dog outside. I come out of the kitchen, and he's no where near the hallway to the front door. Nope - he's chasing his cat around, trying to give her a kiss. Yeah - she runs away from him now because he never leaves her alone (I have told him countless times to leave her alone, but he just doesn't clue in.) Anyway, the dog is doing that "I-have-to-go-out-right-NOW" dance, and here is S, not even close to the door, nor seeming to care that (yet again) he is not doing what he needs to do in a VERY limited amount of time. I was mad. Needless to say, I didn't get a kiss, nor a "Love you" as he was walking out the door, but I don't care - the "easily distracted" part of ADHD has really been rearing it's ugly head lately, and I don't like it.
Okay - off I go for yet another crazy day at work...
Some good news - the laptop system is finally back up and working again. That was going to be call number one made in the morning, but I was happy to hear that it was repaired while I was at the conference. Secondly, they have installed a new program on him system that will scanned written text, and turn it in to words and read back to S. The system is called Kurzweil, and although they have it on the computers in the classroom, this had not been made available to S while at home. (I thought one aspect of his software did this, and was very unhappy in the Fall when I realized it did not.) I have lobbied for him to get this system - as has the SERT - and thankfully that has now been done. Now, here is something even more incredible - they have actually trained S on how to use this new software! Yes, it's true - they have! I guess wonders will never cease.
The SERT was also emailing me to let me know that she has been successful in rearranging EA schedules, and now S will have an EA with him 100% of the time. This has proven to be very important in the French, as S tends to have more issues/concerns during this unassisted time than any other of the day.
S just told me that in addition to the Kurzweil system, they have also installed Dragon Naturally Speaking on to his school laptop, too. Now, this is a program Hubby and I actually bought way before he had his school system, but S didn't have a lot of success with it - and actually got to the point where he refused to use it. I'm not 100% sure why they gave him that, but hopefully the board will take the time to properly train him on it, and then in future if the Word Q stops working, he will have an alternative software program available to him.
I am going to send an email to the specialist today to see if the results of S's fMRI are in. I was advised that it would take at least two weeks for the final results, and we are just past three weeks, so I am hoping we will be able to learn more about what makes my youngest son tick.
Speaking of which - boy, did he EVER tick me off this morning. Non-stop acting like a total goof. I was able to to tolerate it for almost an hour this morning, but less than 5 minutes before he was scheduled to leave the house, I lost it on him.
My instructions were very clear - put your lunch in your bag, and let the dog outside. I come out of the kitchen, and he's no where near the hallway to the front door. Nope - he's chasing his cat around, trying to give her a kiss. Yeah - she runs away from him now because he never leaves her alone (I have told him countless times to leave her alone, but he just doesn't clue in.) Anyway, the dog is doing that "I-have-to-go-out-right-NOW" dance, and here is S, not even close to the door, nor seeming to care that (yet again) he is not doing what he needs to do in a VERY limited amount of time. I was mad. Needless to say, I didn't get a kiss, nor a "Love you" as he was walking out the door, but I don't care - the "easily distracted" part of ADHD has really been rearing it's ugly head lately, and I don't like it.
Okay - off I go for yet another crazy day at work...
Friday, February 1, 2008
Feeling beat already...
still have another hour here for the move-in, and I must admit, I am very tired tonight. I don't think I am going to go out for dinner with the other staff members. I take out meal, up in my rooms is sounding very nice right now. I can put on my jammers, cuddle under the blankets, and just have a down evening. I've been here since 8 this morning, and I think, today, I have had enough.
A terrible winter storm has hit the region today. Everything here in the city is either cancelled or closed. Funny enough - people from Toronto (a close city) are calling and saying they can't make it until the morning, but people from Pennsylvania and Michigan hav already arrived and set up! Guess the difference if is y0u have the option, you will take it. If you don't, you just keep on going.
S had another snow day today. Probably just as well - he would have probably not had a good day. Never does when I am away. He did really well on his fMRI testing yesterday, apparently. He was able to lay still for the duration, and they were able to get all of the testing they wanted to do, done. Now I will just have to wait for the results, I guess.
That's all for now. I don't have free wireless in my hotel room, which is making me cranky, but I can access it here at the Convention Centre. I have a strategic plan I am working on for the ADHD association, so I think I will try to finalize that tonight, and then I can email my thought to the consultant in the morning when I get back here. See? Another good reason to stay in the room - so that I can get some 'other' work done!
A terrible winter storm has hit the region today. Everything here in the city is either cancelled or closed. Funny enough - people from Toronto (a close city) are calling and saying they can't make it until the morning, but people from Pennsylvania and Michigan hav already arrived and set up! Guess the difference if is y0u have the option, you will take it. If you don't, you just keep on going.
S had another snow day today. Probably just as well - he would have probably not had a good day. Never does when I am away. He did really well on his fMRI testing yesterday, apparently. He was able to lay still for the duration, and they were able to get all of the testing they wanted to do, done. Now I will just have to wait for the results, I guess.
That's all for now. I don't have free wireless in my hotel room, which is making me cranky, but I can access it here at the Convention Centre. I have a strategic plan I am working on for the ADHD association, so I think I will try to finalize that tonight, and then I can email my thought to the consultant in the morning when I get back here. See? Another good reason to stay in the room - so that I can get some 'other' work done!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Extreme weather
This morning my computer informed me that we are under a severe WIND WARNING. Who gets wind warnings? We have the weather dropping from +4 to -7, and the weather network is worried about the wind? Yeah, what about the FREEZING on the roads, etc??!! Maybe they are worried that the wind will push our cars around on the icy roads...
Had sushi with Dar last night. We had made plans for it, but I got my days all mixed up, and was so glad she sent me an email asking if we were still on. It was really good, and I'm lucky enough to have left-overs that will serve as a very nice lunch today!
Due to the weather, all busses in our county are cancelled - so S gets to stay at home with the A-man today. They are leaving tonight for London - S has his fMRI tomorrow - so he is going to have a very short week, it would seem. I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for our show in Hamilton.
Actually, I'm supposed to be going to an ADHD information meeting tonight, but I may give it a miss if the weather continues to act goofy. I have a bunch of other things that I need to do to get ready a) the business trip b) our holiday and c) the conference and d) work on the ADHD stragegic plan. I will make that call tonight when I get home from work, and have a better understand of where I stand there, but right now, I'm leaning towards staying home.
Not much else to update on. The A-man is enjoying his week off, and S said they only listened to speeches all day yesterday, and he didn't have any homework. Looking forward to our holiday, and that about sums it up!
Had sushi with Dar last night. We had made plans for it, but I got my days all mixed up, and was so glad she sent me an email asking if we were still on. It was really good, and I'm lucky enough to have left-overs that will serve as a very nice lunch today!
Due to the weather, all busses in our county are cancelled - so S gets to stay at home with the A-man today. They are leaving tonight for London - S has his fMRI tomorrow - so he is going to have a very short week, it would seem. I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for our show in Hamilton.
Actually, I'm supposed to be going to an ADHD information meeting tonight, but I may give it a miss if the weather continues to act goofy. I have a bunch of other things that I need to do to get ready a) the business trip b) our holiday and c) the conference and d) work on the ADHD stragegic plan. I will make that call tonight when I get home from work, and have a better understand of where I stand there, but right now, I'm leaning towards staying home.
Not much else to update on. The A-man is enjoying his week off, and S said they only listened to speeches all day yesterday, and he didn't have any homework. Looking forward to our holiday, and that about sums it up!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ready to rumble?
I have a meeting this morning with the principal to discuss hubby and I's concerns about the EA - the lack of training, professionalism, etc., etc., etc.... I hope it will go well. I know the SERT has issued her concerns as well, but I really don't know what to expect out of today's discussion.
S had a laptop issue the other day. Apparently the SERT has put in a request for it to be repaired, but that always seems to take forever to come through. How is it that a piece of equipment can be deemed ESSENTIAL, but yet still need weeks before being repaired? I will ask about that at the meeting today, too. How am I going to keep track of all of this stuff??
Finally got all the Christmas things away yesterday. I realize it's a month past the holiday, but since I have been working full-tilt, well, it just didn't get done until this past weekend. At least we didn't get in to February...
We went to my parents yesterday. It was a lot of fun. Mom and I went through her clothes to see what I could borrow for Mexico, and to see what she was now able to fit in to again since she lost 20 pounds. She is going to Australia for over 3 weeks, and leaves the day I get home from Mexico. I was able to help her put together an outfit for the opera, and another for a day trip that has been planned. For a women with so many clothes, she really isn't very good at pairing up new items. I even got a couple new pairs of pants that I will be able to use at the conference.
The A-man is looking forward to being a lazy butt this week, but I have told him his room has to be done by the time I return home from work on Wednesday. He didn't like that idea, but I knew if I didn't give him a specific time, it would be next Sunday before he even started to think about it.
Hubby and the boys will be leaving here on Wednesday night, and actually staying in the same hotel I was at last week. S will have his fMRI on Thursday morning. I will be leaving for the next show on Thursday afternoon... soon the crazy schedule will be over...
S had a laptop issue the other day. Apparently the SERT has put in a request for it to be repaired, but that always seems to take forever to come through. How is it that a piece of equipment can be deemed ESSENTIAL, but yet still need weeks before being repaired? I will ask about that at the meeting today, too. How am I going to keep track of all of this stuff??
Finally got all the Christmas things away yesterday. I realize it's a month past the holiday, but since I have been working full-tilt, well, it just didn't get done until this past weekend. At least we didn't get in to February...
We went to my parents yesterday. It was a lot of fun. Mom and I went through her clothes to see what I could borrow for Mexico, and to see what she was now able to fit in to again since she lost 20 pounds. She is going to Australia for over 3 weeks, and leaves the day I get home from Mexico. I was able to help her put together an outfit for the opera, and another for a day trip that has been planned. For a women with so many clothes, she really isn't very good at pairing up new items. I even got a couple new pairs of pants that I will be able to use at the conference.
The A-man is looking forward to being a lazy butt this week, but I have told him his room has to be done by the time I return home from work on Wednesday. He didn't like that idea, but I knew if I didn't give him a specific time, it would be next Sunday before he even started to think about it.
Hubby and the boys will be leaving here on Wednesday night, and actually staying in the same hotel I was at last week. S will have his fMRI on Thursday morning. I will be leaving for the next show on Thursday afternoon... soon the crazy schedule will be over...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Frustrated today
I am getting more and more frustrated with the lack of professionalism from S's EA. I look in his agenda, and in yesterday's Science block, she has written "Test". Gee - any idea what he is supposed to be studying? Then, I look in his science notes - there is nothing there. Did he bring the Science text book home to study from? No - he forgot it.
Geography...he knows he has a test, but he isn't sure if it's today or tomorrow - and again, he doesn't know WHAT the test is on!
"SHORT WORKING MEMORY" people - he won't remember if it's not written down! Clinically proven. Doctor diagnosed! I left a "not so nice" note in his agenda, and I will be having my follow up meeting with the Principal very soon. This is getting beyond ridiculous.
Had S's re-entry meeting yesterday morning. It appears S had a very rough week all the way around last week. I was never advised of this - at all. Again....why not?
S was working on training his laptop's voice recognition last night. He was required to read the same sentence over and over again until the computer 'got' his speech patterns. He was very frustrated after saying the same thing for about 5 full minutes. I could see why. I think we will work on it a bit more tonight - when he is not tired from studying geography.
The A-man had his final exams in Learning Strategies yesterday. His final mark for the course - 95%. He is SO proud of himself, and I must say, when I read the final essay he wrote, I was pretty darn proud of him too! Just proves that he can do it - when he applies himself. I think he sees that now. It also helps that he is not being pre-judged by the teachers in the school, I think.
The show went well. I was beat, beat, beat on Monday afternoon, and JUST starting to feel somewhat normal now. Next show - Hamilton in just over a week. The day I leave for Hamilton is the day S has his fMRI.
...and, back to the grind...
Geography...he knows he has a test, but he isn't sure if it's today or tomorrow - and again, he doesn't know WHAT the test is on!
"SHORT WORKING MEMORY" people - he won't remember if it's not written down! Clinically proven. Doctor diagnosed! I left a "not so nice" note in his agenda, and I will be having my follow up meeting with the Principal very soon. This is getting beyond ridiculous.
Had S's re-entry meeting yesterday morning. It appears S had a very rough week all the way around last week. I was never advised of this - at all. Again....why not?
S was working on training his laptop's voice recognition last night. He was required to read the same sentence over and over again until the computer 'got' his speech patterns. He was very frustrated after saying the same thing for about 5 full minutes. I could see why. I think we will work on it a bit more tonight - when he is not tired from studying geography.
The A-man had his final exams in Learning Strategies yesterday. His final mark for the course - 95%. He is SO proud of himself, and I must say, when I read the final essay he wrote, I was pretty darn proud of him too! Just proves that he can do it - when he applies himself. I think he sees that now. It also helps that he is not being pre-judged by the teachers in the school, I think.
The show went well. I was beat, beat, beat on Monday afternoon, and JUST starting to feel somewhat normal now. Next show - Hamilton in just over a week. The day I leave for Hamilton is the day S has his fMRI.
...and, back to the grind...
Friday, January 4, 2008
fMRI
I have been very remiss in keeping this blog updated over the past few days. I guess the main reason is because things have been INSANE at work, and also because the day-to-day life with the boys hasn’t quite got in to full swing yet, since they aren’t back to school until Monday. That, however, doesn’t mean there haven’t been all kinds of things going on!
Wednesday was “back to work” day for Hubby and I. That afternoon, S had a doctor’s appointment with his specialist. I was surprised that it was so late in the day – 4:45 pm – but it actually worked out better for me, so I wasn’t complaining. The appointment was about a full hour, and it was in anticipation of the upcoming fMRI that will be happening at the end of the month. I was very happy to have this meeting, as I really didn’t have much information about what this test was, or what it was hoping to achieve. Now I know.
An fMRI is a functional MRI. As you know, an MRI is basically a ‘brain scan’ that lets the doctors look at the brain. This test is actually going to monitor how S’s brain ‘fires’ its signals. Although S won’t be able to speak or move for the hour he is being scanned, the doctors will talk to him, flash various pictures, etc., across a screen on his eyes, and ask him to think about certain things. As he thinks about what they ask, they will be able to see how his brain sends the signals. How cool is that?
After they have this base-line ‘test’, the doctors will then create a specialized therapy to assist with any deficits (or mis-firings) they may find. Of course, the doctor wasn’t able to say what type of therapies they may use, because they don’t currently know where his signals are lacking, but it could be a chemical imbalance that could benefit with medication, or they may find that treating with this therapy and that therapy could assist his thought patterns, that sort of thing. Then, after about 6 months or so of following a treatment plan, S will under go another test, to see if the various therapies have been beneficial to him.
This is all very new. S’s doctor, and the doctor’s at the University hospital are going to be doing this with about 50 or 60 patients, only. S’s results will be compared to those of average twelve year olds, so this will also let us know what are typical actions/reactions/behaviour of a child this age, and what is a direct result of his brain’s ‘hard wiring.’ They are then going to see if various therapies will assist with certain deficiets, etc.
Yeah, S is going to be a bit of guinea pig, with respect to this testing, but Hubby and I figure that if we have a better understanding of how S’s brain fires, we can only benefit, right? If the therapies, etc., work, all the better. If not, no harm done. There are no chemical injections, or radiation, etc. It is a very harmless test, and it will actually help us, and the specialist, have a stronger foothold when we approach things. Right now we are only going on ‘theories’ – after this test, we will be going on an actual brain scan.
I, personally, am glad we are on the entry level of this new testing. I am looking forward to learning more about this. Google it – it’s quite fascinating!
Wednesday was “back to work” day for Hubby and I. That afternoon, S had a doctor’s appointment with his specialist. I was surprised that it was so late in the day – 4:45 pm – but it actually worked out better for me, so I wasn’t complaining. The appointment was about a full hour, and it was in anticipation of the upcoming fMRI that will be happening at the end of the month. I was very happy to have this meeting, as I really didn’t have much information about what this test was, or what it was hoping to achieve. Now I know.
An fMRI is a functional MRI. As you know, an MRI is basically a ‘brain scan’ that lets the doctors look at the brain. This test is actually going to monitor how S’s brain ‘fires’ its signals. Although S won’t be able to speak or move for the hour he is being scanned, the doctors will talk to him, flash various pictures, etc., across a screen on his eyes, and ask him to think about certain things. As he thinks about what they ask, they will be able to see how his brain sends the signals. How cool is that?
After they have this base-line ‘test’, the doctors will then create a specialized therapy to assist with any deficits (or mis-firings) they may find. Of course, the doctor wasn’t able to say what type of therapies they may use, because they don’t currently know where his signals are lacking, but it could be a chemical imbalance that could benefit with medication, or they may find that treating with this therapy and that therapy could assist his thought patterns, that sort of thing. Then, after about 6 months or so of following a treatment plan, S will under go another test, to see if the various therapies have been beneficial to him.
This is all very new. S’s doctor, and the doctor’s at the University hospital are going to be doing this with about 50 or 60 patients, only. S’s results will be compared to those of average twelve year olds, so this will also let us know what are typical actions/reactions/behaviour of a child this age, and what is a direct result of his brain’s ‘hard wiring.’ They are then going to see if various therapies will assist with certain deficiets, etc.
Yeah, S is going to be a bit of guinea pig, with respect to this testing, but Hubby and I figure that if we have a better understanding of how S’s brain fires, we can only benefit, right? If the therapies, etc., work, all the better. If not, no harm done. There are no chemical injections, or radiation, etc. It is a very harmless test, and it will actually help us, and the specialist, have a stronger foothold when we approach things. Right now we are only going on ‘theories’ – after this test, we will be going on an actual brain scan.
I, personally, am glad we are on the entry level of this new testing. I am looking forward to learning more about this. Google it – it’s quite fascinating!
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