October 18, 2006
I posted this on my Yahoo Single
Moms board, in reply to a post about “experts” mis-judging how smart our adopted
children are -
Last January, Alesia was reading
on the second grade level. When I had her tested a couple of months ago, I was
told she had a very low IQ, and a severe processing disorder, plus the mild
FAS, etc. and we'd be lucky if she could get through high school.
After 2.5 weeks of therapy at
Lindamood Bell, she is now reading AND comprehending on a 7th grade level.
That's 5 grade levels in less than a year.
Don’t tell ME my child can’t learn! She’s phenomenal.
She still has her moments, in
terms of expressing herself clearly. Tonight, when we were finishing dinner, Mother
asked Alesia if she knew what to do if someone was choking.
"Yes" she answered
excitedly.
"You stand behind them and
touch their abdomen. Then you push them really hard!"
Well, we thought it was very
funny. She got irritated, until I demonstrated exactly what she had said, then
she got the joke and laughed, too.
The other day we were all in the
car talking, and Alesia said something and paused. Mother started talking,
thinking Alesia was finished. We heard a heavy sigh from the back seat. When
Mom was quiet I said "Alesia, what's the matter?"
This petulant little voice came
up from the back - "I was talking and Granny POKED IN!" [She then
re-learned the word "interrupt"]
I'm keeping her in therapy for a
couple of more weeks, but I am thrilled beyond belief how well she is doing.
Nobody knows what our kids are
capable of - they've never been given wings. We can help them fly!
