Thursday, March 29, 2012

Dyslexia, my child?! NO!

This is my first "personal" post. So I'm going out on a limb here and pouring my heart out instead of my crafts. Most of you know I have a beautiful and intelligent daughter who I'm dearly attached to HA! Well recently I was informed by her school that they wanted to test her for dyslexia.
I was asked to come in for a parent teacher conference. I said OK, thinking it was normal. I had to sign a paper saying it was OK for the comity to meet about how to help my daughter get to the next level of reading. I agreed again thinking it was all normal. Then a few weeks later I was told OH good news!! The comity met and they would like to test her for DYSLEXIA......
My first reaction was WHAT! NO! There's NOTHING wrong with my baby! She reads just fine! She tries her hardest and loves school. She never says she has a problem. Why are you even saying this to me?! I went through about 3 weeks of trying to decide if I want to "allow" the school to test her. I called family members for opinions and I even went to her pediatrician. I knew my daughter's father was dyslexic as a child so I asked his mother what signs he had. Again none of his signs I had seen in my daughter. Everyone said 1st grade is to young to test and none of them see any signs. I even called the school counselor to ask why they wanted to test me 1st grader AND a learning center in our area to ask them questions. I was debating on if I was going to test her do I want to let the school or should I do it privately.
I was racking my brain. How could the school tell me how intelligent my daughter is and how she is an excellent student but they can't get her to the "next level" of reading so they don't know what to do and think that she should be tested. I was angry inside. How dare they because they think she should be at a higher level say that she might have a learning disability! She's in 1st grade!
But then I realized I know NOTHING about dyslexia. I'm a researcher I research and investigate everything that comes into my life. All I know about dyslexia is the normal stuff, like kids read and write back wards. Well I've never seen my child do this. So the school MUST be crazy! LOL. So I asked for another conference so the school could show me evidence as to why they think my daughter needs to be tested. This time I meet with the dyslexia teacher, her reading teacher and her regular teacher.
The meeting- I learned a lot from this meeting. The dyslexia teacher was very kind and informative and put me at ease. The reading teacher and her regular teacher praised my daughter the whole meeting and showed me that they really do care about my child and want to help her.
I was given several pamphlets that explain lots of different signs of dyslexia, with highlighted areas for my daughters signs. Then they showed me two different class projects. One done by my daughter and one by another child. The other child's was a perfect paragraph. You could read every word, see where every sentence started and ended. Then there was my daughters. Now if you don't know my child she is a pretty pretty princess. Her hair and clothes and shoes always have to be perfect with a matching bow in her hair. She never misbehaves in school, follows all the rules. Her areas are always very neat and organized at all times. She tries her hardest to make sure everything is perfect and done right. Wellll not so much with her handwriting. It looked like a big blob. Then I was explained different scenarios with her that the teachers have seen while reading and writing. They also explained that she is the HARDEST worker in the school and they all love her SO much but that reading/writing just shouldn't be such a struggle for her. She shouldn't have to try so hard. It should just come to her like everything else does for her. So after the meeting and all the helpful information. I have decided to let them test her. The teachers ensured me that if she does qualify for being dyslexic they instill in the children that it's not a "disease" LOL they are VERY smart and they are their to have fun and make learning fun and easier.
My concerns that I went over with them-
If she qualifies what happens?! I don't want her "labeled"
My daughter get's anxiety, she get's nervous. She's never met the Dyslexia teacher. She will be scared ad nervous to go with her and take this long test.
If she does qualify and starts going to this class with the Dyslexia specialist I'm afraid she will be embarrassed, I don't want it to hurt her self esteem or make her feel "dumb".
Here is what I was told- The reading teacher who has been working with her all year will take her to the test and make sure she is comfortable before leaving her. The test will be given then all the data will be entered into the data base. If your child is tested and qualifies for dyslexia they are in NO way labeled or sectioned for special needs. What they do get is an hour a day of extra help with the dyslexia specialist. They are taught ways to cope with their "learning curve" so they do not have to struggle, so it will come so much easier for them. Most children with dyslexia are very intelligent or about average intelligent. Their is nothing "wrong" with them. They just need a little extra help. The children will also have extra time on the STARS testing. I also learned that if a parent is Dyslexic then more then likely their children will also be dyslexic.
So with in the next few weeks my daughter will be given the test. In the mean while I would love to hear from other parents who have/are going through this with their young kids. I have been working very hard on not getting frustrated while practicing her spelling words. I'm going to make some "Mommy Rules" for myself to keep me focused on helping her and not thinking negative like WHY CAN'T SHE SPELL IT!!! I just it for her 2 seconds ago!  My goal is to encourage her and stay focused and let her know I'm always here for her and we will work through it together.
I should be updating you on the testing with in the next few weeks...

XOXO,
Jess

No Sew Baby Blanket

Goood morning loves. This morning I will give you instructions on how to make a no-sew fleece baby blanket. I made this for a special friend of mine & figured I share it with everyone. I think she is going to LOVE it!

Supplies:
Fleece-Pick your pattern of fleece you would like for your blanket. Make sure to take your coupon with you. Joann Fabrics and Hobby Lobby will always have one. Make sure you are signed up for their coupons. Right now Joann's has a 50% off coupon! You can either do both sides the same or two different patterns. The blanket will need to be at least 40 inches to 54 inches wide. For a baby blanket I suggest using 1-1 1/2 yards for each side.
Scissors
Ruler
Pins
4x4 square paper template

Now that you have picked your pattern(s) make sure they are cut to the very same size and put them together. Try to cut straight.
Cut out a 4x4 square template. Now take this square and pin it to a corner and cut that corner out through both layers. Repeat this step on all four sides. I chose to do both sides with this cute cars nursery material I got on sale at Joann Fabrics.





Now it's time to start cutting your strips along all sides. Use your ruler to keep your line straight. You will be cutting 4 inch strips each about 1 inch wide all the way around.


Once you have cut all of your strips on all four sides you will start your knot process. ALMOST DONE :-)!!  I chose to do a double knot, especially since it's for a baby. Do the first not slightly lose then then second knot  tighter. Continue this all the way around.


And Ta Da! All done, how cute! Perfect easy DIY baby shower gift or just a new blanket for your own little munchkin!


XOXO,
Jess