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Also, Grinity,

DS loves Dungeons and Dragons (I did say the housemate is the resident nerd, lol!) and is very interested in the strategy of the game. I think that all of the mathematical calculations required to play the game is helping him to appreciate the need to learn more than addition and subtraction.

We play D&D together at the kitchen table every evening that we are all together.

Any other ideas that you can think of that employ games or science are absolutely welcome. Thanks again.

FWIW, I wouldn't trust a pediatrician's vision screen at all! My DS, who is almost 8, has passed every single vision screen at the pediatrician's. They usually only test distance vision. My DS has a severe astigmatism that dramatically affects his reading ability but he is a very good squinter! He wears glasses when awake but can pass the pediatrician screen without them. He reads at an 8th grade level with his glasses on. Take them off and he *might* be able to guess his way through a kindergarten picture phonics book.

As for video games, if that is his love, go with it! My son learned to read playing Pokemon. It is very script heavy and you have to be able to read the directions and game play to get directions for what is next. I straight out refused to read it to him- forcing him to sound out and bumble through as best as possible. He taught himself to read playing Pokemon for sure! There are other text heavy games like My Sims Kingdom that also might work for what you need!

CAMom,

Oh. my. god. THANK YOU.

I have horrible eyesight, as does his father. We both has astigmatism as well. I will look into an ophthalmologist appointment soon.

And you made me grin with your approval of the value of video games for reading. I wrote a slightly tongue-in-cheek article about that topic a few weeks ago

The games have been the greatest catalyst for his reading that I have found so far.

Thank you.

sounds like fun - can I come over?

If you child wouldn't object, perhaps the rock can only be moved if certian 'academic questions' can be answered while hopping, or similar.

Or, if I understand the game mechanics correctly, can special challenge cards be made up and won as treasure - so that if kid does 'X' then he gets 'plus one' on his die rolls?

I know it's early, but I'd hothouse typing if my son would have gone for something like this. 10 minutes of typing practice during the day adds 'plus one' to any 3 dice rolls that evening. Or 15 chess puzzles completed during school after his work is done adds 'plus 2' to the dice roll of his choice.

I was actually wishing for a 5-8th grade that was caried on entirely in this manner. Didn't find it though.

Smiles,
Grinity

Oh my god, you have the best ideas!

I will foward this to housemate to discuss with his ESE professor tonight.

I already refuse to offer any assist whatsoever with anything computer related, so DS *is* at least familiar with a QWERTY keyboard.

absolutely amazing ideas *grins*

And, certainly, you can come have a nerd-fest with us, anytime

CaMom, DS has a proper eye appt next month. It was the earliest they could arrange for a pediatric exam without interfering with his attendance. Thank you for the heads up!

((beaming)) wouldn't that be the coolest school though? If boys are going to be about merit badge collecting and leveling up and having accreditation cerimonies then why not but it to full use?

Grinity,

I went to a mathematics and science high school where I was intramural house captain. One of the "sports" was Magic: The Gathering. We also had a "Monopoly Club" for RPG gamers.

I loved the extra-curriculars combined with such science courses as "lasers and holograms" and "robotics." haha.

It WAS the coolest school ever

There is a lot of reading and math in Magic: The Gathering. He's a bit young though, I think. I used to drop my son off at Yu-gi-oh tournaments at age 8 and think "couldn't he be precosious at violin?" By 9 my son started enjoying MTG.

Your high school sounds so fun!

I may also pull out my M:TG cards and build a couple of decks to see if he is interested in playing. It *is* very mathematically involved and requires the same mental notekeeping and strategic thinking as other games such as chess require.

It seems I've gone off topic, though! Just in: my mother has offered to find and fund a private evaluation for DS.

Also, what about ADD/ADHD? I personally was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 27 (I turned 30 yesterday.) Adderall, only 15 mg a day, has absolutely transformed me. I have always been ADAMANT that DS not be diagnosed nor medicated, but perhaps the time has come to investigate the possibility?