I couldn't believe it a few days ago when I overheard David trying to explain impulsivity to an adult cousin who also has ADD. "You do stuff before you think," he said, exasperated, as the fellow kept messing up on a video game. Then David proceeded to do his best to set the guy straight. Later, at dinner, F pretty much told me that he was floored. At 21 years old no one, not a teacher in the resource room in grammar school or a psychologist, had put it to him quite like that. In a way he could understand and was dead on. I felt great about David but also sad for F because if his single mom could have afforded a place like MMCL rather than keep him in the public school system (she had no choice and was struggling to get by as it was) he wouldn't have had many of the issues he faced now--taking 4+ years to get out of a 2 year college program, social challenges, etc.
A few days earlier David told me that when he got older, he might want to teach at MMCL. "I think I can help kids with learning disabilities," he said. But he was talking about gym, not teaching statistics. Be that as it may, it's a good start.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Big Boy Alert
One of the highlights of my day, no matter how long and hectic, has been settling down to read aloud to David every night. Early on, it was just me who did the reading but then we graduated to him reading the protagonist's part of whatever book we happened to be reading. Sometimes he was Little Bear, others Percy Jackson or Fireheart from the "Warriors" series. He would barter for extra time, snuggling beneath the covers on my bed as we read to each other.
Gradually, I noticed that he made less mistakes, that he read with more inflection. We graduated to chapter books then longer chapter books. I was amazed at the progress he'd made the last year alone.
Then last night, David got very serious and asked me to promise that my feelings wouldn't be hurt. I braced myself, silently knowing what was coming. "I'm reading a lot better now..." he began, trying to let me down easy. (I hoped he would break up with his first girlfriend with that much care...) "But you think you're old enough to read on your own at night," I finished for him. We talked about it a little more, me explaining that although I loved our nighttime reads, I also know that he's growing up and I have to learn to accept that even though it might be hard.
But David promised not to leave me in the lurch. "Not right away," he promised. "I can't leave you hanging in the middle of a book." So, we will finish the 2nd installment of The Warriors and he will continue on his own.
A triumph in one way but a little sad in another.
Gradually, I noticed that he made less mistakes, that he read with more inflection. We graduated to chapter books then longer chapter books. I was amazed at the progress he'd made the last year alone.
Then last night, David got very serious and asked me to promise that my feelings wouldn't be hurt. I braced myself, silently knowing what was coming. "I'm reading a lot better now..." he began, trying to let me down easy. (I hoped he would break up with his first girlfriend with that much care...) "But you think you're old enough to read on your own at night," I finished for him. We talked about it a little more, me explaining that although I loved our nighttime reads, I also know that he's growing up and I have to learn to accept that even though it might be hard.
But David promised not to leave me in the lurch. "Not right away," he promised. "I can't leave you hanging in the middle of a book." So, we will finish the 2nd installment of The Warriors and he will continue on his own.
A triumph in one way but a little sad in another.
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