Once Diagnosed, 11-Year-Old Blossoms at School

After watching her daughter struggle in fifth grade, Amy Hopper hit a tipping point when Alexis took days to read only one chapter of a book and then could recall nothing of what she had read.

Amy turned to The Curious Edge for help. Alexis was tested a year ago and the diagnosis was unequivocal – her schoolwork suffered because she had dyslexia.

In May of last year, Alexis, now 11, embarked on a 90-hour program of computer and hands-on exercises that would last three months. But she fought the program at first.

“She protested saying she didn’t like reading,” Amy said.

That prompted Amy to reconsider a decision she made earlier – she hadn’t told her daughter about the diagnosis.

“I was afraid it would feel like a stigma to her,” Amy said.

But then she told her daughter, who immediately cried and called herself stupid.

That was then, this is now, according to Amy.

“This treatment opened my eyes. Dyslexia is just a different way of learning. It’s not a negative at all,” Amy said.

Alexis feels the same way.

“She embraces the term now. She’ll tell anyone that she has dyslexia,” Amy said.

Once Alexis accepted her diagnosis, she embraced the treatment, working at The Curious Edge an hour a day, four days a week.

Knowing that the brain’s neuroplasticity responds to specific cognitive interventions, the professionals at The Curious Edge helped Alexis increase her working memory and processing speed.

This led to improved logic and reasoning skills, which translated into greater academic performance.

Sixth grade – at a new school this year – has been a fresh start for Alexis. Instead of languishing near the bottom of her class, she has soared to the top.

A year ago, her school struggles and frustration rippled through the whole family. No more.

“Last year, there was a lot of family unhappiness,” Amy said. “But that has disappeared. Her frustration has gone away.

“Now that she knows she can succeed, she really enjoys school. And I think that’s great.”

Info:  (859) 899-3343 (EDGE) or http://thecuriousedge.com.