Working Memory Games

[AfricanExport]

Hi,

I am looking for some advice on improving working memory in my kids. Both of them (7 & 10) have been to an Ed Psych privately for testing.

Out of the 4 IQ based tests they did - they both had working memory around 35 points below the rest of their results (which were very good). Kimms game etc are no good because DS has a photographic memory when it comes to that but cannot remember instructions etc - this is causing huge issues with schoolwork as speed is an issue.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

IndigoBell>

Where have you done the AIT and is it different from the listening program? Price is not an issue - well it is obviously but if it works we will pay. Will have a look and try find someone who does this close by. You have to go somewhere for this, right? I believe there is specialised equipment?

FF helped with her reading and the audio processing itself. She is definitely better with understanding the different sounds. I was quite shocked as I did it with her and it is quite simple. In one test they say 3 sounds, like
Ga, Ga, Da and the child must choose which of the second two matches the first. My god I was horrified as she could not tell the difference and it was only then that I realised that this child had been listening or trying to understand what is essentially a different language. I think that all parents should experience that as it fundamentally changes your ideas of the problem. FF definitely helped on that front and it is noticeable in reading and creative writing and, fundamentally, it has improved her confidence which has additional knock-on's.

Funnily enough she got stuck on the 'following instructions' part of the game. And really stuck. You have to reach a certain level to move forward and we didn't move on the one game for months and months and she gave up.

She did get a bit bored with it though as is a 'Advanced Game Player' so the games were a bit young for her - she was 9 when she did it.

She is off to a Specialist Dyslexia school (IND) in Sept for High School. We are hoping two years there will teach her some coping mechanisms as well and then we can move her for Year 9 (we hope!).

Does anyone know anything about Edutherapy.net? Is it quack or is there something in it. I want to believe

African - I have almost cured DDs severe dyslexia, by doing lots and lots of different things.

However the 2 things which helped her the most were:

• Auditory Integration Training at the Sound Learning Centre in London
• Tinsley House Clinic in the New Forest

I 100% recommend both of them. Compared to the price of a private school they're very cheap :)

(And probably recommend starting with AIT)

We're only half way through TH, and I am 100% confident by the time we're finished her dyslexia will be all gone.

By dyslexia being gone, I mean all her cognitive symptoms will be gone:

• Very slow processing
• Severe memory problems
• Unable to read or write
• Pretty much unable to retain anything
• Word finding difficulties
• Auditory processing / discrimination problems
• Eye tracking problems

DD is totally changed. We had a huge breakthrough after AIT at SLC. Then another huge breakthrough now at TH.

tbh I think her dyslexia is more or less gone now, and she now just needs to learn to read and write. Both are coming on hugely - but obviously have to be taught again now her brain works properly.

She is 9.

I have had the same success with DS1 who is 11 and has Aspergers / Dyspraxia. His dyspraxia is now gone, and his Aspergers is almost gone. Again will take a few more months to finish at TH.

AIT is different from the listening program. Based on the same basic principles - but the actual treatment is slightly different. I don't know the details.

AfricanExport:

I'd like to back up what EBDTeacher posted regarding music. Although it's only our experience, DD2's work with listening & repeating notes and following verbal/ visual instructions in her music lessons over this year have resulted in 'improved listening' behavior observed in her classes.

obviously it could be that she's that bit older, she likes the teacher better, etc... but she's learned the skill of listening & repeating in lessons and it seems to be bearing fruit in other areas of her life as a student.

Hi

Fantastic to hear that someone has had success with these therapies. If you read the literature it makes sense that they would work it is just finding the right one for the child and trying to wade through the false promises to find the truth. We have always believed this can be fixed, well since I started researching it. It's just finding the right tool.

Okay, looking into AIT now. As DD is mild we may not need to do both lots but will investigate both. If we can correct the issue we can rebuild her confidence - that's a much bigger issue with her. Looks like there are not many places around so a bit of a trek but hey ho. Hubby suggested we all do it, lol. He is quite keen, especially after the success of FF. Chatted to DD about it this morning and she is keen to give it a go as well.

Really keen to see if it can help DS as he has friendship issues in a bad way and certainly does not perform to his potential. He told me the other day he was saving his brain for when he needed it. He had terrible adenoids and tonsils and they only took them out when he was 6 so I think that delayed his development quite a bit as he could not really breathe properly, at all. Surgeon was surprised that he had been able to eat and breathe.

PastSellByDate > I do understand the importance of music lessons in this and they are both very involved in music at school. They go to a little prep which is well known for it's music and also do Piano lesson on top of that (Dd did have some issues with the teacher and did not like her but those are now resolved and she is moving forward). It is good to her that you are having success with it. What instrument is your daughter doing? DD started with violin but we moved on to piano as violin was causing too much stress.

Thanks so much everyone

Hi AfricanExport:

Apologies for delay in reply, we've been away over Easter.

DD2 is actually playing the violin. I think she finds it tricky as well but her teacher is an absolutely wonderful lady and DD2 clearly adores her so really works at it.

I hope all works out for you and think some of the suggestions given by EBDTeacher and mrz sound very useful indeed.