I haven't read this part of the ADHD boards, so maybe this has been discussed before, but I just finished reading "Right-brained children in a Left-brained world- unlocking the potential of your ADD child". It's by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons. They do a lot of talking about learning differences - visual vs. auditory. His hypothesis is that all ADD kids are visual, right-brained learners, trying to make it in primarily left-brained education systems with left-brained or whole-brained educators. (I take slight exception to this since I am one of those educators in that system, but....) Since the guy has ADD himself, I can see he has somewhat of a bone to pick with the educational system, but putting that aside I would still highly recommend it.
I've read over a dozen books on ADHD this fall, as my dd has been going through the diagnosis process. This one is by far the most positive and encouraging one I've read, with actual "novel" homework help tips, rather than the typical "Seat child at front of the class" "Do homework in a quiet area free from distractions." Duh!
I'm curious if others have tried his tutoring suggestions and what they think. I'm truly intrigued. We just dabbled in the spelling part tonight. I'm going to try it with her states and capitals, which she has REALLY been struggling with. If it helps, I'm sold.
Yes and no the learning sticks with my son. Spelling for example he may not remember the exact spelling of a word but he retains certain pieces that help him build and read words better now (like ing and silent e).
I may try using a more hands on approach for math. Using legos to help with addition and subtraction. My son also just left a montessori shcool and he loved there math section which used beads and cubes. However the overall environment was too distracting.
I find with my son no matter what method I use to help him repitition is always necessary for a while untile it really sinks in and embeds itself in his brain.
If Geography is a struggle look into getting the game Great States. After learning the song 50 nifty states he had an increased interest in Geography so we asked his aunt to get it for him for christmas. My son (6) loves this game and it's very visual. We went with the regular version since i felt the JR version was to young for him. He doesn't even realize he is learning while playing.
This is my favorite book so far. I tried some of the reading, writing and math exercises with my son and I was amazed! My son was able to do all of them with relative ease. He finds the exercises fun and they are boosting his confidence.
There are good tips for teaching visual-spatial (right-brained) children here:
http://www.visualspatial.org/Articles/articles.htm
Did you find when you tried the way of learning that it "stuck"? The reason I'm asking is that I did try it with the states and capitals, which they are tested on periodically (groups of about 12 states). They retest the same group a bunch of times, and she had been getting C's or lower, because of not spelling them right. Well, we did the visual thing, and she got an A- on the test the next day. We were thrilled! But.... we didn't keep reviewing them, so when she was retested a couple weeks later, she failed it again. Math facts are that way too. She has them, but then a little while later she doesn't. I'm lost. I haven't tried the math things in the book yet, because she has SUCH a mindset against math. I should try that. And the writing ones.beatrice
where in australia did you get the book from? or did you do it over the net?
i would be really interested.
It would be good if there was a book on ideas about how to teach right brained children early on or recognise it very early on. Before school managed to dampen their self esteem. I mean in a way we are not so far from the days they used to force left handed children to write with their right hand.Great book called "unicorns are real" unsure of author. Has great practical ideas on the teaching visual learners.
Thanks for that also just noticed (yes I have been taking my meds!) Vickie posted a very useful link!
That book sent chills down my spine. It was describing my 3 year old in detail. He is a very confident popular boy who is the favourite of all his playleaders a real golden child but I have always felt there was something 'different'. I have add and dyslexia and wanted to catch any problems early as i believe early intervention can make all the difference.
At nine months he could not crawl at ten he could run. He does not understand what sounds the different letters make but can read and spell whole words backwards and forwards, he can not colour in but can follow intricate mazes. he can not see the difference between a 6 and a 9, or p and b. he thinks on and no are the same and mirror writes. He can not count but can add and take away. He does not really like hugs, and it hypersensitive to touch and noise.
He is so clever, that it could possible go undiagnosed but I am positive he is dyslexic, add or gifted. I had an IQ of 150 which is quite high and I think it makes it even harder for your problems to be acknowledged ( i was diagnosed with dyslexia at 23 add at 34) and get the help that can enable you to realize your potential.
thanks to that book I know to throw away the phonic approach and continue with the whole word approach. Hopefully if he already knows how to read at school he will have less problems with others for not 'getting phonics'
were any of your kids like this as toddlers?
I think you're wise to be watching even this early, even it if's just watching. He sounds pretty smart, but I've learned the hard way - smart in certain areas (or even just overall smart) doesn't mean life, or school will be a breeze. Doesn't sound like your typical 3-year-old. You probaby have quite a challenge ahead of you balancing these gifts with his challenges. I wouldn't worry about the letter reversal - I was told with my daughter that that's normal even into first grade, so certainly fine at his age. Sounds like there might be some sensory issues there. Check out the book "The Out of Sync Child" or "The Out of Sync Child has Fun" by Carol Stock Kranowitz. They have some great ideas to do at home to help those sensitivities. I do the joint compressions with my kids.
I thought dd was pretty smart as a toddler, and many friends told me that too. She was so verbal and had some great insight and observations. I think because I had it in my mind that she was smart, school would be easy. School came relatively easy to me, so I just didn't entertain any other options. Had I been more aware, I could have helped her earlier. Because she's smart, I don't think the school has ever looked at her problems as problems, just lack of effort on her part or overly concerned parents on our part.