We have been helped by the SPELD association who gave him a comprehensive test that revealed some strengths and weaknesses. He now has a SPELD tutor who works with him once a week.
A friend has screened him for Irlen and we see a diagnostician this week.
I am still trying to find an OT for him that will help him and hopefully give a definitive diagnosis. The closest one is too busy - too many ACC cases. Another recommended one has yet to get back to me so I fear the same will hold true of her also. I may yet have to find someone myself. As this is one of the key things he needs I am feeling frustrated!
It has not been cheap either and he doesn't qualify for any funding. It worries me that it will be difficult for us to get assistance like reader-writers when his condition is not considered "severe" enough.
One good thing is that the school have been very helpful and co-operative. His teacher has a 2 other students with learning difficulties so she is open to exploring ideas and ways to deal with this. Additionally, she is trying to incorporate some elearning into the class which is a challenge in a small school with limited funding. She approached us about the possibility of purchasing Mr9 an iPad as she has found some of the apps useful in assisting her to teach her students with learning difficulties - the other 2 in her class have them.
Here he is "unboxing" his iPad.
We needed to set an email for him as some of the work he will do on the device will be emailed to his teacher rather than submitted on paper. We assumed a gmail would be fine, but we discovered he is too young for one! We went back and forth about options and in the end we found Yahoo! allows a child account if you set up a "family account" arrangement.
I am just hoping we'll be able to find a similar thing for gmail because I suspect he will need to use some of the Google apps like docs. Perhaps the school has Google for schools? I don't know but will have to find a way to work around this. In the meantime, the Yahoo! address will have to do.
One of the apps I installed for him is the Overdrive one for borrowing library ebooks and audiobooks. Of course, it needs to have an Adobe ID. Mine has been used on too many devices so I had to make one for him as well.
It both amuses and alarms me that Mr9's digital footprint is already growing as a result of this purchase we've made.
Here are my loves heading out to this morning's fellowship. Miss6 is not impressed she didn't get an iPad. Mostly because she wants to play Fruit Ninja.
I get the fruit ninja thing. Gorgeous shot of the kidlets and hubby. I have a teacher friend who is interested in ITC in the classroom. I could ask her about the google for kids and how they utilise e-learning in their school if you like? Oh no at the OT and trying to find one. The whole funding thing is sucky, when you are caught in the middle as you are, and what the govt/powers that be determine what qualifies for funding and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI know - it's weird to be grateful that his issues are "severe" but frustrating that it means we can't get some assistance!
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