Dore Talk

I would like to open up a thread just for posting those big, and little achievements of our children (or ourselves for the adults going through the program) that we observe along the way.  Something as simple as being able to now ride a bike, or we observe our child behave more socially appropriate, noting things they say in their own observance, one less struggle, etc.  From every little thing to every big thing, post away....................

 

Okay, okay, I'll start! 

Last week, finally got the state standardized tests back on my son from May when he was only 5 months in the program.  All through his schooling, his reading scores have scored below his own grade level, and lower than all of his writing and math scores.  As of May, on his reading, he scored at his grade level to 2 years above, and his reading scores went above those of his writing and math!  His fluency both verbally, and recall, and being able to get his thoughts down on paper have come a long way since pre-Dore. 

Also, he is no longer getting car-sick when he reads in the car.  That is because the vestibular system is much stronger and straightened out.  He just noted that today to me on the drive home.   

 

I have copied this from another thread on this site as it seems appropriate:

I have just had a meeting with Harry's teacher to discuss how he is getting on.

In his recent tests (May - 4/5 months in, same as Frazzle):

Reading (Harry jumped 6 grades, not 2 was I previously believed, because each grade is separated A,B,C,)
Writing - jumped 3 grades
Maths - he jumped 2 grades

In his Annual School Report, he was below age appropriate for English, but the teacher commented it was only his writing that was letting him down, so this is an area I will try to work on during the summer.

She also commented that he was throwing himself into ALL PE activities and that he is so good, all the other kids now want him on their team!

Even the teacher had to admit that "everything is coming together for him now" and that the exercises MUST be helping. This is all before mentals as well. Wow!

This is such a teeny weeny one, but one that's been bugging me since oscar was 5 or 6. He always writes the figure '8' as two circles on on top of  the other which in the scheme of things doesn't matter, except that it takes longer. I have tried to get him to write it using one line looping across itself (the usual way!) many times and his primary school spent endless sessions with him tracing a large '8' with different coloured pencils, with no effect.

He announced during maths Homework last night that he did his eights the proper way now. Said he just decided to do it a few days ago. I'm taking it as a sign. In need of one at the moment. Am I allowed to brag about that?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it may only seem something small to other people who dont 'get it' but we know how BIG it is to us and our kids!!! Well done Oscar xxx

Interesting you say that Sophy. Harry always writes his '6' starting with the circle - strange!

Oscar does that too and starts 5, 2 and S (probably others as well) from the bottom up. I'll keep an eye open for any change to the way he writes these. I guess this is a dyspraxic type of symptom. I kept the sheet of paper that he practiced trying to write  a '4' on when he was 4. Couldn't believe how hard he found it to get the lines going in the right directions.

Hows Harry with knife and fork? I decided long ago that I wasn't going to worry about Osc holding them in the 'wrong' hands as he uses them well that way.

Yeh Sophy - number 4 is definitely back-to-front. Interesting you ask about knife & fork - dinner-times are very stressful! The knife can be on the table, upside down - he tears his food, eats fast (like a train!) and doesn't chew properly - and the mess! DH is determined to correct this :( Drinks used to be spilt constantly, but not so much these days. 

are your kids left handed? jordan is for writing but for cutting with scissors he uses his right hand... guess what im saying is there is no right or wrong hand to hold a knife and fork in...cause they use their right hand for some stuff and left for others... as long as they arnt chewing with their mouths open and talking with food in their mouths .*boukes*.....lol 

Matthew stilll piscks up anything in any hand and goes for it, hands are usually the favourite option he can eat quite well on occasion! Writing- given up putting in my 2 cents on that (f's stand on the line) -I look the other way.

I'm left handed and do everything else in a right handed way!

Leila and Kierans dad is left handed when using a knife and fork, Leila could only use a spoon up until she started Dore and we had to cut her food for her up to the age of 10. She was really cack handed. Now she does everything herself no problem.

Kieran is left footed for playing football but right handed for everything else, but he too can use his left hand just as well as his right. I will observe him with his wirting letters and numbers. He does have a tendency to write a 6 as a b as well as getting D and B mixed up'

I always wonder with their cack handedness some of it could be their dyslexic traites but can also be attributed to those who have the primitive reflexes still active when they commence Dore. All that changes as they progress through Dore

Any accomplishment, large or small, is most welcome to hear!  

I still write my 8s that way, the usual way it was not readable.  5s are difficult for me too.

It's nice to know all the little ways the young ones are coming along, they all add up in the end.  Cutlery use can be tricky too..... 

 

 

Laura had her 3rd follow up assessment last Thursday. They were so pleased with her progress that they thought Wynford should be told as she is progressing so fast. Laura has been on the programme since June and her spelling age has already increased by more than 2 years. She has learned to ride her bike, tie her shoelaces,has started reading Harry Potter because the words have stopped moving on the page, writes stories for fun, started using the computer,is more confident, better at sport(she was always last in everything).

I was thrilled to get a phone call from Dore the next day asking if they could use Laura as a case study and inviting her to the Scott Quinell presentation in Southampton and also asking  if Laura would mind standing up and answering questions about Dore while she is there. She is so excited. Before Dore there was no way she would have had the confidence to have even considered it.

Thanks for the chance to brag, Keep up the good work everyone.

What an achievment for Laura and you Debbie, I am so thrilled for you. She has progessed quickly and deserves to have her day at the presentation. Some come on so quickly while others take a little longer but they do get there in the end. Well done Laura.

Wow fantastic news, we're so jealous, have a great evening.

you will be in good hands Debbie. Jordan did a very similar thing for the staff conference in august. Not very often that you can walk into a room of 155 strangers and feel welcome by every single one of them!! Scott is lovely has a real knack of putting everyone at ease. Wynford is lovely to talk to too. Be warned though, these Dore people REALLY know how to party!!!!  Dony they Rose?? lol xx

We all had a fantastic time last night at Scott Quinnells presentation. Scott was fantastic. The Dore staff made a huge fuss of Laura and made us all feel very welcome.Laura was amazing when she had to go up and answer Scotts questions and tell everyone about what she has achieved since starting Dore. She even volunteered to help demonstrate one of the exercises. If someone had told me a few months ago that Laura would have the confidence to do this, I would never have believed them. She is blossoming and I am so proud of her. Isn't it amazing when you start to see a very bright light at the end of a very long dark tunnel.

Did Susie video it Debbie? Ill look out for it on you tube!!! Glad you had a great time, Ill bet Laura was buzzing. I know it gave J a very big confidence boost xx

 

unfortunately it wasn't videoed as far as I'm aware.I wish it had been. We have some lovely photos of Laura with Scott as a reminder of our lovely evening though. Laura has already taken them into school for show and tell. (speaking in front of an audience is becoming a bit of a habit).

Hi Debbie and Eraina we were at Cardiff Dore this am for assess. and who should be there but Scott and family! His son was hoping to finish today. We have met him previously at a presentation meeting in Newport. He is a great guy isn't he and has time for everyone. Should of got photos on my phone aaargh forgot!. Love the pic of Laura and Scott.