Alexander Orth’s Grade 4 speech was so good he earned the right to compete against the Grade 5 students. Way to go, Alexander!

I won’t go and you can’t make me!

Chairperson, honourable judges, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow students,

I needed help but I didn’t want to go and get it. My mom and dad thought it would be the best thing for me. I didn’t have a choice, I had to go for tutoring. We went to this place called PACE. PACE stands for Processing and Cognitive Enhancement. Some of the training things I do help me with my reading, spelling, math, problem solving, reading and listening comprehension, memory, and sports.

I went three times a week for one hour. My instructor is Lisa. She is the greatest. She gives me lots of encouragement. I also have to practice at home every night with my mom. When I successfully complete a level I get to choose a prize from the treasure chest.

One of the tools I use is a metronome. A metronome is a tool that makes a clicking sound keeping a certain beat. This is a very important part of my learning. It helps me to do things automatically, helps to keep my attention, and helps me to learn the skills faster.

I have learned a lot of new skills. I can name all of the prime ministers of Canada in order. I learned this by looking at pictures and making it link to words. As an example I had a picture of a “deaf baker” and I learned the name Diefenbaker. I have started to learn the presidents now too.

Another skill was fine motor skills. This helped me concentrate and improve me as a goalie. I used to mix up my letter “b” and “d” and now I can remember them.

I can do more than one thing at a time. I have to jump on a small trampoline and spell words or call out directions of arrows. This helps me to plan and think.

I have learned a lot from PACE. I really enjoy going. My mom and dad are proud with me for what I have learned. I still go every Saturday morning. I like to go and have fun learning all the time. Everything I am learning is helping me with everything I can do.

Learning Disability - A Misunderstood Term

Learning disability, learning problems, special learning disorders are terms created and defined for federal funding of provincial and local programs. But these definitions too often lead to students not getting help who need it and many who need help - getting the wrong kind of help.

The reason for this is due to the mistaken understanding of intelligence and achievement testing.

A child is normally classified as Learning Disabled (LD) if his achievement test scores fall approximately two years below the IQ scores. The assumption is that the child has the mental skills needed but performance is lacking. But this is a false assumption that can be devastating!

Here’s why. IQ is but an average of numerous subtests that measure different mental skills required for learning success. Some of these subtests may be high and others low. Looking at the average only will mask the low skills that may be responsible for the poor performance.

For example, if your child scored low on a phonemic awareness subtest (a necessary skill for reading and spelling) but high on all the others, his IQ would be considered normal or above. You would be told that because your child has the potential (IQ) he needs either more motivation or additional instruction while completely ignoring the cause of his difficulty - poor phonemic awareness!

And the cause will go untreated and the struggles will continue.

Not assuring that your child has the adequate underlying learning tools for learning is like asking someone to build a house today with nothing other than a hammer, handsaw and a screwdriver.

To learn more about the PACE program and learning disabilities, go to:

http://accomplished.processingskills.com and call (604) 859-3276 to schedule an evaluation.

How Difficult Can This Be? (Free Presentation)

Choose your Wednesday (7 pm): July 20, Aug. 3, Aug. 17 – Reservations: (604) 859-3276

The following comments are from parents who attended Accomplished Learning Centre’s recent video presentations. Parents and teachers of struggling learners are strongly encouraged to attend these FREE presentations.

Lori Pankratz - It (the video) gave me more insight into my daughter’s stress, frustration, and anxiety in school and how she feels every day. It also showed the importance of things not to say (from a parent or teacher) to a learning disabled child, and also things that shouldn’t be assumed about that child (e.g. “you’re not trying,” “concentrate more”). I know I will have more understanding and empathy for my chid and her struggles, as well as be able to help her in a more positive, constructive, and self-esteem building way.

Tammy Chatwin - I would really like to see this video make its way into the Langley School District. In a lot of the examples that were used I could see my son’s struggles and I know there are so many more kids like him. All educators would benefit from a first-hand viewpoint how the average classroom setting just does not work and special efforts need to be made and addressed for the sake of the LD child to be made comfortable and succeed in the classroom. I would also like to see some mini workshops set up for all educators and parents on this.

Deanne Hansen - This video really opens your eyes. It makes you want to change and help.

Suzanne Wiebe – I was very impressed by this video. It truly gives an insight into part of what LD kids go through trying to learn and function in everyday life. Much we non-LD people take for granted. What we don’t realize about our perception and their perception of the same things. I think this video is a great resource for parents, teachers, and siblings. A “MUST VIEW” – two thumbs up! The video itself could even be applied in practice to non-LD people in everyday occurrences in life.

More Help and Insight From Richard Lavoie (Free Presentations)

We are pleased to now have two more Richard Lavoie videos for PACE parents and the community. If you’ve already seen “How Difficult Can This Be?” come out for:

Last One Picked… First One Picked On

Playing with friends is no big deal for most children. But kids with learning disabilities often feel isolated and rejected. Their problems making and keeping friends are compounded by their sometimes poor social skills. In this video, host Richard Lavoie examines the social challenges confronting children with learning disabilities both in and out of the classroom.

7 pm, Wed., July 27 and Aug. 24

Reservations required: (604) 859-3276

When the Chips are Down

Do you ever have days when the kids seem totally out of control? Find out how to deal with behavioral problems quickly and effectively with this video featuring Rick Lavoie. He explains how to create a stable, predictable environment in which children with learning disabilities can flourish.

7 pm, Wed., Aug. 10 and 31

Reservations required: (604) 859-3276