Husband requests a PlayStation for Christmas. 1st grader was diagnosed with dyslexia, is one year behind in reading, and is being evaluated for ADD. How do you respond? I don't plan to buy the PS (I will buy another requested item instead), but am frustrated that DH even made the request. Why do I have to be the bad guy? Why even put me in the position of having to say no? Is my gut reaction (to think this is a bad idea and not buy a PS) unreasonable? How do I respond when DH pouts about my not letting them have a PS?
Hi Mama, I hear your concerns and a mom's intuition is very important and should be heeded for sure. I do want to share with you my own experience. My son is dyslexic. He could not read until 11 - and then not much - still struggles with reading. But he has a higher IQ than most, and his brain works twice as fast as most people. The average person takes 40 times to read a word and then it just comes naturally - a dyslexic has to read it 140 times or more. So their brains are working over time. I met with a doctor regarding my son and she asked if he played video games....I was thinking I was going to get the lecture after I responded yes. She then said, "Good, he needs some kind of release for his mind and video games are a really good release for a dyslexic." I was astounded. And I have noticed that after he plays for an hour or so - he is calmer and more relaxed. He is now a senior in college with a 3.75 GPA. His teachers love him! I am not a doctor nor a professional at all. All I know is my own son - and it really helped him. Our family does not have addictive personalities - so I am not sure if that would play a role. Maybe you could do some research...find out if this is a possibility? Could you set some good boundaries that you are comfortable with. Maybe 1/2 hour a day to start with - time with dad - a good way for the two of them to bond? You know your family the best. And please don't discredit your intuition...mama usually knows best.
Re: Video Games/Child with Learning Disability