The following data are from the parents’ self-reports of changes over the past year

(office notes are from 1/05-6/05 only).

Copies of the originals are contained in a binder in the waiting room.

 

[Some portion of the training may have been done in home therapy, noted here in parentheses.]

 

AVERAGE CHANGE--RANGES OF CHANGE--MEDIANS OF CHANGE

 

 WEEKS

% IMPROVEMENT

%-age RANGES

MEDIAN

 

 

 

 

<= 6

54%

15-95%

~50%

12

60%

15-95%

~70%

18

70%

60-90%

~75%

>= 24

79%

45-100%

~80%

 

 DATE

WEEKS

(#)=HomeVT

%  PROBLEM

RESOLVED

COMMENTS

 

 

 

 

6/18

12

95%

(A=PDD Spectrum) Teachers comment on changes, academic and social. Writes more. Not so shy. Attention span is increased.

6/16

6

15%

At times reads better, coordination improved.

6/16

12

70%

Big improvement. Word recognition improved. Some frustration yet.

6/13

18(12)

70%

Spelling up from F to B, more confident.

6/11

130

75%

(A) Grades have improved, more fluent, less stress.

6/10

6

20%

Focuses longer. Responds faster.

6/9

6

40%

(A) Pays attention longer. Speaks better. More socially outgoing.

6/6

12

80%

Reads more and more smoothly. Less frustration.

6/4

60(54)

80%

(A) Teacher notes improvement in learning. “Lost look” now gone.

5/21

12

>30%

(Vision Impaired) Teachers note improvement in math, science.

5/20

6

30-40%

Passing most tests. *School resists helping.* Remembers better.

5/19

12

70%

Spelling easier, getting B’s. Tries harder. More outgoing. Reads more.

5/19

6

90%

Attitude improved. Doing much better in school. Homework done on time.

5/16

30(18)

60%

Doing better in reading and spelling. Progress is good.

5/14

38(20)

--

Doing well in all but math. Returning for therapy.

5/12

6

>35%

Abilities have greatly improved. Happier, more self-confident.

5/7

6

50%

Prints neater. Happier. Attitude better.

5/6

6

20%

Reading improved a bit. Very outgoing.

5/3

12

85%

Completes work in school now. Made honor roll. Student of the month. Teachers have called to remark on his improvement. Stress in school reduced.

5/2

6

30-40%

Doesn’t complain as much. A bit more confidant.

4/30

52

40-50%

(A) Real improvement out of school setting. Picks up on more things faster.

4/28

72

90-95%

Report card improved. Teachers pleased with his progress.

4/28

6

60%

Math is much better, much quicker. People note he seems happier.

4/25

6

60%

Reads independently and more often. Stopped calling himself “stupid.”

4/23

14(8)

70%

Made much progress. Progress in reading and spelling.

4/23

6

90%

(A) Writing beautifully now. Participates in sports for 1st time ever.

4/21

6

70%

Reading comes easier. More satisfied with school experiences.

4/21

6

>90%

School notes that his progress is off the charts. Some frustration yet.

 DATE

WEEKS

(#)=HomeVT

%  PROBLEM

RESOLVED

COMMENTS

 

 

 

 

4/19

6

70%

Behaves differently (better) with glasses on. More organized in thought processes. Reads all the time, more age-appropriate materials.

4/18

12

90%

Reads more fluently. Optimistic. Confidence is amazing.

4/16

24

80%

(A) Scored above age readiness levels for 1st grade.

4/16

6

50%

Grades have improved dramatically. Reading up from D’s to high B.

4/14

6

70%

School is impressed, happy with math grade. More organized, relaxed. TG.

4/2

16

60%

Does work more independently. Grade up from F to C.

Doesn’t feel like a failure. More responsible.

4/2

48(30)

95%

Reads tons more. Tries more activities. Understands directions.

3/26

6

70%

Math teacher: “great improvement.” Asked to bring test home to show grade.

3/15

48

--

Wants to read more, helps by tutoring. Grades from F to A.

3/15

6

40%

(A) Improvement in cognitive areas. Confident, independent.

3/12

6

20%

A bit more confidant.

3/11

36

80%

(A)   Having math problems yet. Gets out of seat.

[Later found to be a desk design problem, noted by her OT.]

3/10

48

85%

Learning Support teacher has said whatever we’re doing is really working.

3/7

6

80-90%

Comprehension and reading pace improved. Wants to succeed. More enthusiastic. No longer feels “stupid.” Our prayers are answered.

3/5

12

20%

Does work w/less supervision. More cheerful. Coordination greatly improved.

3/5

18(12)

80%

D’s to A’s Teachers note huge changes. Thinks he can ace anything.

3/5

>100

75%

Steady improvements.

3/5

6

60%

Progress in reading. A bit calmer.

2/21

6

50%

Fewer complaints of struggling in class. Less frustration.

2/21

24

100%

Now above age. Grasping things as he should.

2/14

6

>50%

(A) Wants to wear glasses. (Still) inconsistent.

 2/12

4

75%

Enthusiastic participation. More relaxed. Thinks more.

2/10

36(18)

70%.

Reading well. Happier. Not as frustrated in writing.

2/3

12

70%

Reading better. Teacher says that he’s more confident.

2/3

>60

80-90%

Teacher says reading is better. Some struggles.

1/29

18

85-90%

Better reading grades. Teacher sees improvement.

1/29

12

50%

Some improvement in reading and math. Less grumpy.

1/21

>52

75%

Excellent in math. Reading doing better.

1/15

24

80%

(A) Less whining. Beams. Enjoys being with peers.

1/10

18(6)

--

He is improving.

1/7

6

10-15%

Less fighting over homework. He is improving.

Clinical experience shows that most learning problems have treatable causes.

 

Research done over 30 years ago at the Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, revealed that children with perceptually-related learning problems lacked only two primary skills: visual analysis, auditory analysis, or both. They designed and tested a therapeutic program that proved successful. Their results and data were dramatic: the new skills quickly transferred into classroom skills.  The researched program is called the Perceptual Skills Curriculum and it forms the core of the

S-O-S Program that we use at The Learning Clinic.

 

TREATMENT

 

Visual therapy and neurodevelopmental lenses for oculomotor problems can result in astonishing changes, permitting some students to experience a large change in classroom and homework performance almost immediately. Emotional symptoms frequently are lessened or disappear as anxiety is lessened.  Perceptual therapy for learning skill deficiencies- we call it dysperception - will be done at home for about half an hour per day, aimed at the valleys in performance, while simple classroom accommodations help the child in school until the skills change.

 

The program generally takes six months, give or take three (visual problems take less time, auditory problems often take longer). The office portion of the therapy is frequently discontinued in 12-18 weeks.