Joanne,

        Does Alex crawl around much. We discover long ago that there is a
big connection between motoric ability and learning 2
dimensional(pictorial) representation. It is something many CP's skip if
they are unable to move around.

Bobby


>>>However, I should be quite capable of explaining it because that's my job.
>>I'm a casual lecturer in CP and AAC at Sydney University to health science
>>and medical students.
>>My colleagues and I are trying our best to improve things.
>>It's not too bad for me because I communicate quite easily with my
>>LightWriter and can talk independently to drs and nurses so they know I'm
>>intelligent. However, I know it's not so easy for other people who are
>>younger and do not have good communication skills
>
>
>OK, I know that Alex at 4,5yrs is still young.  I also know that he was
>dealing with serious health issues his first three years ( you don't get a 5
>file chart otherwise) that staying alive was the main issue and reaching
>milestones by necessity took a backseat.  So now that he doesn't need 02, a
>tube and its been 18 months since he had his last apnea attack and need to
>be revived we are playing catch up. Alex is very vocal and has an
>outstanding auditory memory.  His visual memory is not so hot though.  He
>has ROP that was resolved with laser surgery.  The surgery itself caused him
>to lose his side vision.
>He can vocally count to 20 with no help but he doesn't make a connection of
>2 pennies on the table means 2 etc.  He knows a real life pooch is a dog but
>can't make the connection that the picture in a book is a dog too ( even if
>it's a Polaroid of the very real dog he ID in real life.)  So while he talks
>well he at times often just mimics what he hears with out understanding what
>he's saying ( OK, Maybe Alex will grow up to be president ;-P )  He is able
>to express wants and needs, he does have appropriate speech many times when
>asked a question so he is capable of independent thought.  SOOOOO....
>the question is for the adults and current HS/College students...what worked
>best with you to help you learn, if any of this sounds familiar?
>Joanne
>
>PS a nuero-psych test put his IQ at below 50 because he had little self care
>skills.  I'm not buying into the IQ score per se but the thing is if we
>don't find a way to help him conquer the LD's his abilities will still make
>him incapable of independence.  His vision with glasses is fine as he picks
>up a piece of rice from the dinner table, it's just he can't remember what
>he sees.
>Joanne