Helping a Child with Severe
Learning Disabilities

The message below was originally posted on an LD bulletin board. We decided that it belongs on the Audiblox website too. This message is unedited:

“I have been visiting this board for many years. Some of you may remember me as I posted infrequently about 2 years ago desperately seeking answers for my severely learning disabled son. At the time I received so many ideas and support from this board, I thought someone might now benefit from my story. My ds is now 9 years old and in 5th grade this year. The nightmare began when he was in 1st grade and the teachers noticed he was not able to learn like the rest of his classmates. The school evaluated him and told me he was at the bottom 1% of kids with severe learning disabilities and although his IQ was probably within normal range, because of his learning disabilities his IQ was testing low because he was not learning anything. And if we did not do something quickly, his IQ would continue to fall.

“My ds was in Grade 2 by this time and he was crying every morning before school, hiding under the covers refusing to get up. He would have the school call me home from work saying he was sick at least once a month. He would say how stupid he was through his tears. He was only 7 years old and he hated everything about his life.

“I was desperate. I took Orton Gillingham training, but that didn't work for him. I put him through FastForWord without results. The dyslexia schools wouldn't admit him because they didn't feel they could teach him due to the severity of his problems. He went for eye exams, doing eye exercises and wearing glasses because they said he had no peripheral vision. (Yet, while playing hockey he could see a puck come up from behind him). I finally found a tutor that was willing to help him. After a year and a half of very expensive tutoring my son was finally beginning to read but he was still falling further and further behind in every subject area. Finally by Grade 3 the teacher had him sitting in the corner colouring while his classmates received their instruction. They felt he just was not capable of anything else. I had bought so many programs that were suggested on this board, but I was not able to get through to him. Nothing was working.

“As a last resort I tried Audiblox as recommended by Mary MN from this board. It has been a god-send for us. Within 3 weeks of beginning the program for an hour a day 4 days per week, ds was able to do his timed multiplication tables where previously he had failed. The teacher told me he was cheating because he was not capable of such work. Another 3 weeks later ds was able to pass his spelling tests each week with 10/10 and we only had to study for a few minutes. Previously it had taken all week and he would still get most wrong.

“We have been doing AB for 84 weeks now and ds is working out of the same textbooks as his classmates, handing in the same assignments and he was moved off the modified program in Science at the end of Grade 4 on to the regular program and received a 'C'! He also received 8/10 on his Electricity test at the end of the year. He has been in Grade 5 for a week now and he comes home every day telling me what they did in school and how much he LOVES school. He tells me 'Mom, you were right, I am smart'! AB has taken us a long time, but I clearly remember where we started from, and no parent should have to hear what the 'experts' were telling me. My son was slow and unteachable, and no amount of teaching/tutoring was ever likely to help. He was going to fall further and further behind. That kind of heartbreak and hopelessness about ones own child is devastating. The fact that ds is where he is in 84 weeks is a MIRACLE.

“I'm hoping this post may help other children who are as desperate as we were.”

WendyBC