Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 3/30/2011

Question
Dear Valerie,

My 6yo PDD son is doing "fairly well" in kindergarten. No behaviors, kids seem to like him, age appropriate in math, and reading (words on a page) and he is writing (pretty scratchy, though).
However it is the auditory processing that is a big problem. Oral comprehension/processing of language. This also, then, leads to a reading comprehension problem too. In big group my son is totally lost. They recently starting sending the books home so that we can read them before he hears them for the first time in big group. Totally different kid. He used to stare into space and not participate at all and be unable to answer any questions about the book. Now (after I review the book with him at home - with my "cliff notes") he is raising his hand and participating....
Anyway though, he is an extreme visual learner... great memorizer.... understands content not context. currently he can hide what he doesn't really understand through his memorization anchor...
So I am going down this path of Lindamood-Bell (a tutoring outfit that specializes in reading comprehension) for the summer. I would have him in a program that works specifically on making mental pictures. however, when i called a reference and explained wesley in some detail to her she said that we probably need to go to the Visual and Conceptual Development Center first. she felt that this group really works on the basic fundamentals and building blocks so that he could succeed with the mental imagery. she felt if you did the lindamood-bell too early it would just be frustrating to him because of the lack of the fundamentals. I know a lot of kids on the spectrum have some vision issues that are not normally found with a typical eye exam (his came back normal), but I figured that my son was such a visual learner that this must not be the biggest concern. I had also gone down the path of an auditory processing therapy/listening therapy like tomatis, but I am hearing from parents like a 10 - 20% success rate.
So anyway we have a eval from the visual and conceptual folks tomorrow. this group on the phone anyway are totally speaking my language with my son, but i am still concerned... how does visual therapy lead to auditory comprehension improvement? i guess the whole mental imagery thing....
so I also have an intake scheduled with Greenspan's son for floortime/DIR. they have been recommended too... and their work is holistic.
So problem: language (auditory) comprehension. Currently looking at: Visual and Conceptual Development and Floortime/DIR. But I'm not feeling totally comfortable with this.
Would your experience lead to any input here? I am starting to feel panicked about getting him some real help in these areas - I am talking to parents of similar sounding children and it sounds as if - if I don't get this correctly addressed soon, the gulf between my son and his peers is just going to widen. The school just isn't any help and I want to spend this summer and my money in the wisest way possible...

Laura

Answer
Hi Laura

My experience is to tell you to look into the Scientific Learning Programs. I have administered them for over 13 years with children like your son with great success. Here is the website:
www.scilearn.com

The way it works is I sign you up and monitor your son's progress. You do the program on the computer at home everyday. We talk on the phone each week and I give you progress updates as well as some good ideas on how to incorporate strategies into your son's life.

Take a look at the programs and see what you think.

If it looks like something you want to do, then email me at:
info@valerieherskowitz.com

I am not against Lindamood Bell, but it is really expensive and not a guarantee of success. The visual therapy may be needed but I don't see how it addresses the core auditory processing issues. I know about visual therapy, and it is helpful for some things, but it works in a different modality (visual) then what your son needs. Your son needs auditory therapy. I work a lot in that arena.

Another option, is if you would like to do a consult with me on the phone first before making any decisions. We can get into more details about your son and then we can set up an individualized plan for him. Email me if you would like to pursue this as well.

Take care