Light bulb moment - Real Mum story on MoM

15 Comments

My eldest son has just been diagnosed with a visual processing disorder. For two years we have been fighting with the school for some intervention and an IQ test to be done as he is very clever amazing at reading and very intelligent verbally, but that’s where it ends. he is slow at school to complete tasks and his writing is terrible. he can spell words verbally but can’t write them. I have been telling the school this for years but all they want to say is, he’s slow and needs to complete tasks quicker.

Well, one trip to a behavioural optometrist, and light has dawned on my planet. it all makes sense. Why he is so good at talking but can’t put his pen to paper. His eyes work fine but their are many problems with the connections to his brain.

So in essence, instead of being slow, he is working 3 times harder than any other student to maintain the work standards he does.

I am mortified when I think of all the arguments during homework time and discussions about work ethic we’ve had, but I feel proud of myself for the many fights I’ve had with his teachers telling them there was a problem.

Maybe now he can finally get help to share his bright mind with everyone.

Posted by colleen b., 6th March 2014

15 Comments

- - 191joannes said
  - 17 Feb 2015
    1:44 pm
Why don’t schools or teachers listen to us parents I cant stand school interviews drives me crazy good on you

- - mom57522 said
  - 03 Oct 2014
    8:00 pm
I’ve heard or audio processing disorder before but not visual. Good on you for sticking up for your son.

- - eestigirl said
  - 16 Jun 2014
    7:42 pm
It takes a lot of running around and endless talking to get to the right person. Your commitment has got you an answer as to what the problem is, but you probably will find you need to keep explaining to each teacher what it is your son actually needs.

- - catgrrl3 said
  - 21 May 2014
    1:33 pm
sometimes getting the diagnosis is the main battle, I am pleased you found out

- - coppin85 said
  - 12 May 2014
    6:37 pm
its good that you got through to the school and can now get help

- - colleen b. said
  - 30 Apr 2014
    9:13 pm
The behavioural/development optometrist was covered by medicare. Hope that helps. We are on a waiting list for OT.

- - kathryn said
  - 29 Apr 2014
    9:38 pm
fantastic to hear he is getting the help he needed

- - yyon4699 said
  - 29 Mar 2014
    9:43 pm
I hope he is getting the right help and progressing well. Glad you stood up for him and never give up!

- - therese70 said
  - 19 Mar 2014
    11:50 am
This is similar to my daughter and thank you for sharing. We are currently going to see an OT specialist to give us strategies to help her in school and at home. I was told about the behavioural optometrist but then I had so many conflicting stories. My GP said she needed a learning and developmental specialist so I called and it was going to cost $800??? so now we are trying the OT and hopefully this will help. Gosh it is so hard to find what the right solution for your child is. Thank you so much for sharing, as mums we dont want them to diagnose something is wrong with our children but we just need to find out why? and how do we work through them.. If OT does not work will definitely try the optometrist….

- - colleen b. said
  - 17 Mar 2014
    10:04 pm
Thanks for the support and I hope those of you in a similar situation get through it too.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 16 Mar 2014
    9:40 pm
It also sounds a lot like my son. His problem
Is a little different. But likewise he has the skill set you described your son as having but also struggles with what you described your son struggling with. My Dr gave me a
Print out on the things that could be helpful to his condition in regards to school and workload etc and suggested I give it to his teacher, which I did so that we are all on the same
Page. The saddest thing of all is despite the fact I have been to a couple of experts his father still refuses to believe there is any sort of problem,though he believes education is of the utmost importance (he is an academic). Well done to you for persevering and following your gut,
As I know how it feels.

- - jodie80 said
  - 15 Mar 2014
    7:49 pm
this sounds like my son . mmm

- - cinta said
  - 08 Mar 2014
    3:33 pm
I Am So Glad You Found Out What Was Wrong, I Just Hope The School Now Listens, And Help

- - aleishagebert said
  - 06 Mar 2014
    9:13 pm
Why wont schools listen! I hope your little boy gets some help at school and your support helps him deal with school

- - yyon4699 said
  - 06 Mar 2014
    4:58 pm
All the best to you and him!