"2X3, we want to make two groups of three, now count the total." No, he wanted to do it in his head or use his fingers. Using the trains was "boring." When we got to the higher numbers, he couldn't do it in his head immediately (he doesn't have the times tables memorized) so he freaked out, started crying, said how stupid he is, how he can't do ANYTHING!
We get the same response if questions are put this way. On the other hand, if I ask him how many cupcakes he'll need if five of his friends come over and want four each, there is no problem at all. The Kung-fu Panda approach works well when he's feeling negative.
I'm glad you're feeling improved - they are such hard going sometimes. If I had a Harry Potter style lockable cupboard under the stairs I'd definitely use it. Just as well they have so many lovely moments too.
It's funny you mention this because we were doing those types of word problems in the car a couple of days ago, and he enjoyed it. He did it without difficulty, but he thought of it as a game. I guess I'm still so personally attached to traditional teaching/learning that I fall back on it. It's what I know. I'll try to keep this in mind and do some stealth teaching. I'm a speech therapist and I work in geriatrics. Usually I'm dealing with dementia and cognitive therapy, but it's very touchy when you point out to an elderly person that they might be having memory or other reasoning problems. So, I do what I call stealth therapy or incognito therapy. I ask questions, play games, do whatever I have to do to treat without calling it treatment. Often, the patient assumes I'm just a nice person visiting with them or spending time with them. I need to do more of this with ds!
Also, about the sleep apnea...I've wondered the same thing, but ds doesn't ever snore. He is always congested though, so I'm wondering more about allergies. He was tested at 2 years old, and they found no allergies. Although, from what I understand it's hard to assess allergies at that age. Now that he's 6, maybe I should check that out again. He does move around a lot at night, but I thought that was pretty normal. I was like that as a kid too. Who knows, but sleep has always been an issue for us since he was born. He was a colichy baby too.
Thanks again for your responses. It's so helpful!
