Odd issue with my middle daughter

[CodeJockey]

All, I am just looking for someone that might be able to offer some advice as to how to research this issue. I had a parent-teacher conference with my daughter's second grade teacher this morning. It was a glowing report. She's been accepted to Gifted and Talented, she reads above my oldest daughters level (3 years older), her fluency and comprehension are off the charts, she excels in math, and she's even requested extra homework on her own, etc. So all of that is really, really great. The only concern that her teacher brought up was that she seems to reverse things. I knew she occasionally reversed her written numbers and letters (writing them backwards), but I was told that this is normal for second grade and not to be concerned about it. Her teacher agreed, except that on my daughter's level of work, it's not necessarily normal. The teacher went on to say that if that was all it was she wouldn't have worried about it, but that she also reverses directions. For example, if she tells the kids to line up at the front of the class, my daughter will usually go to the back of the class, or if they are told to write their name in the upper right hand corner of a paper, she'll usually write it in the upper left hand corner.

I know she's not dyslexic b/c her reading fluency and comprehension are way off the charts. This would almost be like a spatial dyslexia (i made that term up). Anyway, I've tried searching for this, but I'm coming up with nothing. The teacher said she's not too concerned yet, but that we should watch out for it. I want to be a bit more pro-active about it though. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could look for information on what could cause this? TIA

[Keith B]

All, I am just looking for someone that might be able to offer some advice as to how to research this issue. I had a parent-teacher conference with my daughter's second grade teacher this morning. It was a glowing report. She's been accepted to Gifted and Talented, she reads above my oldest daughters level (3 years older), her fluency and comprehension are off the charts, she excels in math, and she's even requested extra homework on her own, etc. So all of that is really, really great. The only concern that her teacher brought up was that she seems to reverse things. I knew she occasionally reversed her written numbers and letters (writing them backwards), but I was told that this is normal for second grade and not to be concerned about it. Her teacher agreed, except that on my daughter's level of work, it's not necessarily normal. The teacher went on to say that if that was all it was she wouldn't have worried about it, but that she also reverses directions. For example, if she tells the kids to line up at the front of the class, my daughter will usually go to the back of the class, or if they are told to write their name in the upper right hand corner of a paper, she'll usually write it in the upper left hand corner.

I know she's not dyslexic b/c her reading fluency and comprehension are way off the charts. This would almost be like a spatial dyslexia (i made that term up). Anyway, I've tried searching for this, but I'm coming up with nothing. The teacher said she's not too concerned yet, but that we should watch out for it. I want to be a bit more pro-active about it though. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could look for information on what could cause this? TIA

CodeJockey,

There are tons of differnt types of learning disabilities, and she may have a problem with auditory information processing, etc. LD children are many times extremely intelligent, just some things don't process correctly. The child needs to be tested by professionals and they should determine what the difficulty is and help provide a correctional path. I don't know which school system you are in, but they should have the people to do the testing and evaluations; that is part of the education systems job.

Hopefully it is just something she will need to learn to work with. I have a nephew who is an excellent student, a fiddle virtuoso (if you can be a virtuoso on the 'fiddle' LOL), but had to learn how to train his eyes to stay on one line of a book and not jump around. They took him to a specialist and within 6 months had him where he could focus on one line just as naturally as anyone else!

Good luck and let us know how she does.

[Crossfire]

My oldest daughter had this very same problem. (Well, actually still does to a certain degree, and she is 25 now.) She was probably the only first grade kid to ever be in both remedial reading, and gifted and talented program at the same time. We finally chalked it up to being left handed. She just sees and does things backwards from the rest of us. She continued to write some of her letters backwards (d's and b's, p's and q's, 5's and 2's) well into junior high. But, her reading and comprehension were fine.

She ended up graduating from Texas A&M, so obviously, she isn't held back by it too much. Her biggest problem now is, she never figured out how to read a map, and can't find her way from point A to point B to save her life. All I can say is, thank God for GPS's. Garmin is her best friend.

There probably IS some name for this condition, but we never found it. I bet your kiddo will figure it all out eventually. Until then, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[bdickens]

My wife has almost the very same problem and although she is loath to admit it she is a genius. Literally, an actual genius-level IQ. But she constantly mixes up her left and right and has trouble with getting lost all the time.

[Keith B]

On another thought, you may have not been far off on your 'spatial dyslexia' term. You might check into Temporal-spatial orientation disorders. Spatial orientation is a problem pilots sometimes have when they have no reference points to visually see (i.e. flying through clouds and can't tell up from down.)

Temporal-spatial orientation children often have with problems understanding the difference between tomorrow and next week. Or may have difficulty with directions and often get lost. He may be the last to learn the way to the bus or the bathroom.

With visual-perceptual processing, the child seems to see letters or words backwards. For example, they may confuse b's and d's or read "was" for "saw" even after they have finished the 3rd grade. They may also have difficulty learning to write and get poor marks in penmanship.

Again, check with your school system to see who they have that can do extra testing on your child. My wife substitutes with the LD classes in our school system, and can tell you there are as many different LD types as there are kids!

I am sure she and you guys will get through this!

[KBCraig]

How is her handwriting? Dysgraphia shares some of those symptoms.

Our oldest (21) could not take written tests in elementary and middle school because of problems he had writing. He was very intelligent and an excellent reader, and could ace the same tests if he could take them on the computer, but not if he had to write out answers.

He overcame it, scored 96th percentile on the ASVAB, and is about to reenlist in the Army for a medical MOS.

[Venus Pax]

There is also developmental dyspraxia, but she seems to only display a small portion of the symptoms.

Do a search also on Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, and see what you come up with. I would continue to correct this, but realize that she has the intelligence to acquire coping skills if you stay on top of it.

[Kalrog]

My son actually writes backwards when he writes with his left hand... just because. He is in the 1st grade. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you - it sounds like your daughter is having some fun with a private joke.

If you want to do a bit more research, check out the 2E area (twice exceptional - gifted and disabled/challenged) of Hoagies Gifted. http://hoagiesgifted.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bdickens]

My son actually writes backwards when he writes with his left hand... just because. He is in the 1st grade. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you - it sounds like your daughter is having some fun with a private joke.

If you want to do a bit more research, check out the 2E area (twice exceptional - gifted and disabled/challenged) of Hoagies Gifted. http://hoagiesgifted.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That just reminded me. For a short time in first or second grade, I started doing my math problems in binary.

[Kalrog]

My son actually writes backwards when he writes with his left hand... just because. He is in the 1st grade. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you - it sounds like your daughter is having some fun with a private joke.

If you want to do a bit more research, check out the 2E area (twice exceptional - gifted and disabled/challenged) of Hoagies Gifted. http://hoagiesgifted.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That just reminded me. For a short time in first or second grade, I started doing my math problems in binary.

I still do that occasionally - every time I try to set up networks.

[KBCraig]

That just reminded me. For a short time in first or second grade, I started doing my math problems in binary.

I still do that occasionally - every time I try to set up networks.

You mean everyone doesn't know that 1+1=10?

[Kalrog]

[You mean everyone doesn't know that 1+1=10?

There are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those who understand binary and those who don't.

I always like throwing in the A-F for hex. It really messes people up and it is so easy to convert between binary and hex.

[Reloader]

Had same problem with my daughter. She also is now a college graduate. There are MANY types of dyslexia, and bi-polar, of which my daughter has, to a limited degree. You need to watch it, because normally they will not test until age 9 or 10. Get in touch with a senior college learning disability SPECIALIST with at least a master's degree to do the testing. They are available through most 4 year colleges and universities, and if it is too far to travel, they can recommend someone claoser. I have been through this and my daughter is 28, married, and working for the state with learning disabled adults. Hope this helps.

[stevie_d_64]

Her biggest problem now is, she never figured out how to read a map, and can't find her way from point A to point B to save her life. All I can say is, thank God for GPS's. Garmin is her best friend.

"Wife Unit" is the epitamy of "wrong way willie" Not even if she had a map, Garmin, DeLorme Maps hooked up into a GPS tracking program would help...

I believe the spatial imbalance is a credible condition way into adulthood...

[LedJedi]

I have always had the same issue myself, as does my daughter.

Over the years i realized what I was doing and started check and double-check myself when it comes to numbers and directions. I know when dealing with those types of things I have to increase my level of focus. I'm teaching my daughter to realize that's what she needs to do as well.

For the record, i've got a 127 IQ (not that that means a whole lot), but smart folks can have these kinds of issues as well.