Wordless Wednesday - January 9, 2013

Currently feeling: I think he's smitten

Psychoeducational Evaluation, Step 1 - Initial Interview

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

As I mentioned in November, Luke has been referred for a psychoeducational evaluation to investigate why there is such a discrepancy between his reading and math ability. When I called, the first appointment we could get was in January. This was not for the actual testing, but for (what they called) the "getting to know you" meeting. Basically, it is where they ask "so what seems to be the problem?" and determine if testing is the right way to go.

Luke's appointment was this past Monday, and it went fairly well. Luke did his some of his typical not listening type behaviors, which I guess is good, though he actually was not as fidgety as he often is (I'm sure that will come out during the 6 hour testing that will come later). I like this doctor. His opening statement: "We assume that everyone who comes in is normal." Sounds good to me; in situations like this, I am all for the skeptical approach. Unless a very obvious problem identifies itself during the initial 45 minutes session (and it rarely does), then they go into the tests still assuming that the child is normal. And unless the tests clearly indicate a deficiency, then they leave with a diagnosis of normal (though possibly with other factors at play; more on that in a bit). Translation: they do NOT go looking to confirm a problem. They feel there must be conclusive proof (or as close as you can get in the psychological world) that there is a problem before diagnosing someone with one.

Per the doctor, there are seven major brain/cognitive functions: Visual Processing, Auditory Processing, Short Term Memory, Long Term Memory, Acquired Knowledge, and two others I'm forgetting (really should have taken notes). It is those seven "brain abilities" that will be tested in various ways. Basically, is his brain capable of doing those seven things, or is there some sort of "deficiency"? If there is a lack of ability (i.e. his brain really can't do it, or not very well), the tests should catch it, and a treatment plan can be devised. If no deficiency is identified (i.e. he is "normal"), then he is diagnosed simply as having a delay. It's not that his brain *can't* do it, it's just hasn't developed to the point that it can do it as easily/quickly as "someone" says he should. They can work with him on that, too, but sometimes the brain isn't ready until it's ready, and the only solution is time and practice.

The key takeaway sentence for me: "For every child of any other age that I see, I see four 8-year-olds. Why? Because they are in 2nd grade and learning to read." (emphasis mine) Per the doctor, if Luke was at one of the elite private schools in Atlanta, we wouldn't be having this conversation, because they don't start teaching formal reading until 4th grade. If he was at Montessori, we would not be having this conversation, because of their style of teaching. If he was in school in Finland, one of the foremost education systems in the world, we would not be having this conversation, because they don't even start true formal schooling with their children until age 7 (so he would not yet have been identified as "late" on anything). The only reason we are having this conversation is because he is not where the "standards" of the local school system say he should be.

My interpretation: It is quite likely that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Luke, other than the fact that he is an 8 year old boy who likes math and doesn't like reading. The tests will very likely come back showing that he is either normal or has only a very slight deficiency in some (relatively) minor way that is (relatively) easy to treat. But we won't know until he is tested. They will wrangle things out with the insurance company and get us an estimate of the cost of the testing (little to none is likely to be covered). When they call with the estimate, we can either take time to decide or go on and schedule the testing then. The scheduling person was out when we left, so I'm not sure what the earliest testing slot we can get is. Guess I'll find out in a few days. I would ask you to wish us luck, but on what exactly, I'm not sure. At this point, I am not at all sure what I desire the outcome to be. Just please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Currently feeling: ready to move on

Strumming Along

My aunt and cousin are visiting from New Mexico. We had a big family get together at my uncle's house, though my mom ended up not coming because she has "office plague" and was still in the "wishing she was dead" phase of the illness when they should have been on the road (she sounded truly dreadful on the phone Friday). I was terrible and didn't get many photos taken while I was there, except when my cousin (who is actually closer to Luke's age (11 year difference) than mine (17 year difference)) was showing Luke some tricks on the guitar. Luke had never handled a guitar before; I think he's in love. Thanks, Tyler, for being so patient with him!



Tyler also writes and records his own music. You can hear his latest single on Spotify and iTunes:


A Wanderer's Song, by August (iTunes link)

Currently feeling: the joy of music

What's In Store? Theme-a-licious 2013 and More

What's in store for the blog in 2013? So glad you asked! We'll be sticking with some favorite features, there will be an old returning feature, and there will be at least one new item. The big new one is:



My wonderful friend Heather ran a set of monthly stitching themes in 2012 (with Mal Reynolds as mascot). I wasn't really feeling the stitching thing at the beginning of last year, so I chose not to participate. This year, I think I'll give it a shot, even though I'm not as enamored of the 2013 mascot as most of my friends (never even seen a Dr. Who episode; I know, I know, it's on the someday list). You can read more about the monthly themes at this post on her blog.

I've worked out that most of the monthly themes will work with my nearly finished fairy, or I can start the second fairy in the series, and still meet most of the requirements. (Partially cheating, I know, but I want to get her done!) We'll see what else I can come up with along the way to stitch on. I mean, it's not like I don't have a ton of partially begun pieces sitting in the basement or something, right? ::rolls eyes:: I hope you'll join me in doing something fun and creative in the new year!



Returning in 2013 after a one year hiatus will (hopefully) be my monthly round ups. I found there were a few times during 2012 that some of the information I routinely recorded there would have come in handy, but I had neglected to record it anywhere. Also, in order to avoid at least three different monthly features, I have decided to combine the monthly round up with my "Pinspirations" for each month. Since most of what I try from Pinterest are recipes, it fit perfectly with the new foods, restaurants, and recipes question on the round up, and any of the other few things that aren't food related can go underneath (I've created a new round up question just for that).



I will be sticking with Wordless Wednesday on a weekly basis. I will also be continuing with Project 365 into 2013, hopefully with a little more conscious thought and commitment behind it than I did this year. I haven't decided if I want to post a summary of those photos weekly or monthly (or not at all). Still debating. I hate for everything to bunch up at the end of one month and/or the beginning of the next, but doing them on, say, the 15th, doesn't make much sense either. Still thinking on that one.

I also imagine there will be quite a bit of whining complaining documenting our experiences with Luke's psychoeducational evaluation and any resulting fallout treatment adjustments that are needed based on the results. From what I can tell, it will not be a short or easy road. Please think good thoughts for us regarding the upcoming testing.

Is there anything you would like to see more (or less) of on my blog? Let me know, and I'll see what I can do.
Currently feeling: ready to get started!

2012 Project 365 Complete

Finally got caught up on my 2012 edition of Project 365. I will say that my heart was just not in it the way it originally was in 2009. I didn't learn as much, or even try to, which is rather ironic since I had nothing but time on my hands for much of the year (note: depression sucks). I missed many more days than I should have, and most days were just that I happened to pick up a camera, not that I necessarily made it a point to take a picture or document my day; some days I did, but not all, or even most. And, since everyone seems to really enjoy them (particularly my parents), I think I'm going to give it a shot again in 2013. I'm also going to try and be better about actually posting the photos to my 365 Photo Blog. Here's hoping next year will be better! But for now, please enjoy these monthly mosaic recaps (click each to biggify; mosaics made in Picasa).

January:


February:


March:


April:


May:


June:


July:


August:


September:


October:


November:


December:


Currently feeling: ready to go again

Wordless Wednesday - January 2, 2013

Currently feeling: finally getting to visit *Mommy* at work

Happy New Year 2013!

In keeping with annual tradition, here is the reveal of my 2013 CD Calendar for the birth of the new year. Click to biggify. Wishing you all a most excellent new year!!


CD Case Calendar #2 QuickPages by Peppermint Creative
(February colors slightly altered by me)
Currently feeling: hoping for a much less "exciting" year in 2013