School Has Been So Much Better This Year

The difference in Coleman, since the Davis Orientation week, as been dramatic! Even his Speech Language Therapist noticed during their first meeting after the sessions. The most noticeable difference is in his attitude and confidence level. Scott had somehow gotten through to him. Now, the kid who was once ashamed and confused about "what was wrong with him" openly tells people about his dyslexia and the struggles it causes -- and is sometimes pleasantly surprised to find that many others, both young and old, face some similar challenges. He also better understands the pros that come along with the cons... and can finally say, "Okay, I'm not so good at reading but I am great at math." Now, the kid who would cry and get angry with frustration at the drop of a hat, has more patience with himself and doesn't get so upset/emotional when struggling with homework.


And maybe the clay work, the learning the alphabet backwards, the deep breathing exercises, the concentration/ balance work, wasn't so strange after all. The Speech Language Therapist at Scottish Rite says that many of the tasks that the Davis Facilitator had Coleman do, are similar to things occupational therapists do with kids all the time - and some of the tasks SPLA therapists do. So much of it seems similar to Montessori's kinesthetic teaching style, as well.


The teachers at the private school may not be experts, but they certainly have been most willing to listen, try new things, and give accommodations to Coleman (when he asks - which is not often - he's still often too proud). Also, switching classes this year (3 different teachers) has been positive not just for Coleman but for the other boys in the class (says the other parents). Shifting gears, getting up and walking around and then getting refocused on one subject at a time, the change of pace and change of personalities, all seem to work better for the kids/parents that I have talked with.

Coleman still has some bad days... but he's come to understand that he needs "strategies" and to accept help. For example, he kept forgetting some of his book or work for homework. We bought him a cool watch with three alarms. Now when that first alarm goes off at 2:45 he knows that it's 'his mom calling, reminding him to check his agenda list and put everything needed in his backpack'. This has worked great!