Reading Comprehension and Expressive Language Problems

[debbiedoestyping]

My DS who is 12, was in PS up until last spring, and who hasn't received any services from the school since third grade, is having significant (IMO) problems with both reading comprehension and expressive language.

The worst is the expressive language. I have my DS answer chapter questions verbally, rather than writing them out. He either answers with "I don't know" (and then I explain until he understands) or he answers with "You know, it's like that thing, you know" and then gets really upset and tells me that I don't understand him. Any tips, or suggestions of activities to strengthen these areas.

My heart breaks for him that he has ideas and words trapped in his head and wants so badly to get them out but can't.

[newbie]

It looks like he needs diagnosed, perhaps an advocate and an Iep can get him tested, so you now specifically what you are working w/.

A great thing for my dn is sign language. It might be fun for both of you. Also, if he likes art, have him draw his answer. Sometimes these kids are great artists.

Included in my dn's IEP this yr., is answer w/drawings if cannot explain back directions. She has Auditory Processing Disorder. So written/verbal communication is very low.

If you need advocate check yellowpagesforkids.com. Speech therapy can also help.

[debbiedoestyping]

It looks like he needs diagnosed, perhaps an advocate and an Iep can get him tested, so you now specifically what you are working w/.

A great thing for my dn is sign language. It might be fun for both of you. Also, if he likes art, have him draw his answer. Sometimes these kids are great artists.

Included in my dn's IEP this yr., is answer w/drawings if cannot explain back directions. She has Auditory Processing Disorder. So written/verbal communication is very low.

If you need advocate check yellowpagesforkids.com. Speech therapy can also help.

He's been diagnosed, and there will be no IEP, as he's being homeschooled. Unless his pediatrician comes through for us WRT referral for (free...we are just able to put food on the table and a roof over our heads) services, then we are on our own. Basically I'm looking for help with designing my own special ed for him.

I will try having him draw (or cartoon...his fave thing to do) his answers. That may, at least, help with the expressive language difficulties.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[LisaTheresa]

My son has an expressive language disorder label and has had lots of problems with comprehension in the past. The thing that helped him with comprehension was Lindamood Bell's Visualizing and Verbalizing program. Prior to that program, I couldn't get him to listen to a 5 minute book on tape without him getting upset. About halfway through the program, he started listening to everything and really enjoying all the Beverly Cleary and the Story of the World audiobooks. Now, he does his best learning auditorily. We did pay to have the program done by tutors, but you can do it yourself at home. The books can be purchased at www.ganderpublishing.com. There is also another program out there called IdeaChain that is supposed to be very similiary to LMB's V/V, but it is fully scripted, so it walks the parent through the process step-by-step.

As far as the expressive language goes, I don't have much to recommend. This is the biggest area my son struggles in at this point. He is bright, makes connections and has good ideas, but he just can't get them out. I am going to use WWE 2 some with him this year to try to teach him to summarize. I know V/V can supposedly be used to help with expressive language as well, but that wasn't our focus when we did it.

Lisa

[dtsmamtj]

We too are going to use Lindamood Bell's V/V, but on our own. We have used several things from Super Duper and Linguisystems. We are seeing progress and are grateful for the opportunity to tailor our son's education to fit his needs.

T

[LisaTheresa]

We too are going to use Lindamood Bell's V/V, but on our own. We have used several things from Super Duper and Linguisystems. We are seeing progress and are grateful for the opportunity to tailor our son's education to fit his needs.

T

Yes, I agree there are good resources at both of these companies as well. I have used some of the vocabulary and grammar software for my son and I really felt it was helpful.

Lisa

[debbiedoestyping]

I found this article at speechpathology.com http://www.speechpathology.com/articles/article_detail.asp?article_id=372

I can't afford the programs that have been suggested to me but I do intend on using the four methods outlined in the article. I was also lurking at a couple of teacher's forums/message boards (in the sped section) and got a number of tips and game ideas that can increase reading comprehension.

I also got some tips on how to work around his language issues. I'm going to make a game something like Pictionary but the guess words are going to be concepts from his science, history, and geography. I'll be able to know if he's grasped a concept or the chapter info by seeing if he can either draw/cartoon it or guess what it is when it's my turn to draw/cartoon.

[littlewigglebutts]

My DS is younger than yours (7) but he has very, very little expressive language. In PS they were trying to tell me he had no reading comp. at all and I knew that wasn't true. Eventually we found that he could answer easily if given multiple choice questions. He lacks the ability to come up with the words, but knows the correct ones when he sees them. Maybe you could try something similar, where you give him the words he needs first. Just a thought.

[newbie]

I just posted online , that flaghouse.com has great assistive tools, such as cognitive tools to help w/communication.

Lots of stuff to surf through.

I dont know if already posted but FFW, or thelisteningprogram are helpful programs, not necessarily curriculum.

[debbiedoestyping]

My DS is younger than yours (7) but he has very, very little expressive language. In PS they were trying to tell me he had no reading comp. at all and I knew that wasn't true. Eventually we found that he could answer easily if given multiple choice questions. He lacks the ability to come up with the words, but knows the correct ones when he sees them. Maybe you could try something similar, where you give him the words he needs first. Just a thought.

Great idea!