Anyone have experience with Cog Excel in Bethesda?

[PoppyK]

My teenager has a "twice gifted" diagnose, very high verbal, very low math, ADD, weak executive function. But she also has mood problems, and from what I've read Cog Med would likely create too much frustration (and thus anxiety) for her to be able to complete the program. I just ran into a new employee of CogExcel in Bethesda who was very enthusiastic, but I can't find any third party comments on them. Would greatly appreciate anyone with direct experience of them chiming up on here!

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

No but I'm curious too as I drive past it every day and live around the corner from it. My DS could possibly benefit from it. ADHD with LDs

You've probably been to their site already but just in case http://cogexcel.org

[Anonymous]

I have a child with your profile and I also happen to have done some professional work in this field. Please be aware that these exercises may show that your child's brain can be transferred to improve on the specific exercises, but there's no proof it translates into real life activities like remembering to write down homework assignments, etc.

What are you doing now to help your child? Mine is a bit younger - middle school age - and this year we're moving to a school with smaller classes.

[Anonymous]

someone posted an ad for this service a few days ago but it was quickly deleted.

[PoppyK]

To the poster at 19:04 - I've heard from some pretty knowledgeable people that CogMed, the online program, has been shown to work more broadly, rather than just improving their ability to do the exercises. I've also read that kids have a very hard time finishing CogMed, because it's very challenging and at this point I think she's to anxious and depressed to do something that challenging without a personal coach.

We're moving her to a school with smaller classes, more support, etc. - but I feel like that's very palliative. If there's some way to strengthen her mind, I'd like to find it.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

PoppyK wrote:To the poster at 19:04 - I've heard from some pretty knowledgeable people that CogMed, the online program, has been shown to work more broadly, rather than just improving their ability to do the exercises. I've also read that kids have a very hard time finishing CogMed, because it's very challenging and at this point I think she's to anxious and depressed to do something that challenging without a personal coach.

We're moving her to a school with smaller classes, more support, etc. - but I feel like that's very palliative. If there's some way to strengthen her mind, I'd like to find it.

Thanks!

My 11 yr old DS just finished his 5 weeks of CogMed training last week - M-F. It went really well but there were times when it was exhausting for him and he had to take 5 min breaks and walk around bit. It took him around 40-45 mins to complete each session. We have started seeing some small changes, the jury is still out.

He really got into the program and enjoyed the exercises even though they were tiring for him. And he really loved seeing his scores improve.

It took me YEARS to make the decision to do CogMed because you read a lot of contradictory information about it - some swear by it and some think its a total waste of money. So you have to decide on your own if its worth the investment - both time and money. we paid around $1K. The way I viewed it - if we didn't give it a try I would always wonder if it would have been THE THING that helped turn the page for him with regards to his working memory deficits. The $1K was worth it to us.

[Anonymous]

PoppyK wrote:To the poster at 19:04 - I've heard from some pretty knowledgeable people that CogMed, the online program, has been shown to work more broadly, rather than just improving their ability to do the exercises. I've also read that kids have a very hard time finishing CogMed, because it's very challenging and at this point I think she's to anxious and depressed to do something that challenging without a personal coach.

We're moving her to a school with smaller classes, more support, etc. - but I feel like that's very palliative. If there's some way to strengthen her mind, I'd like to find it.

Thanks!

This is 19:04 again. I think you should wait and see how the new school goes. It might be too much to do CogExcel too. There is a lot you can do to "strengthen mind" through reading, creative activities, discussion, hobbies, etc that might be more enjoyable and less costly than CogExcel.

[Anonymous]

PoppyK wrote:My teenager has a "twice gifted" diagnose, very high verbal, very low math, ADD, weak executive function. But she also has mood problems, and from what I've read Cog Med would likely create too much frustration (and thus anxiety) for her to be able to complete the program. I just ran into a new employee of CogExcel in Bethesda who was very enthusiastic, but I can't find any third party comments on them. Would greatly appreciate anyone with direct experience of them chiming up on here!

Thanks!!

OP would you mind sharing the school you're considering for your DD?

[Anonymous]

Ditto - OP, which schools did you find to work best for HS? I'm 19:04, btw!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto - OP, which schools did you find to work best for HS? I'm 19:04, btw!

Not OP but for ADHD/ADD and help with executive functioning, I'd consider looking at Lab or Siena. These schools also have summer programs although I think for Lab it goes up to 9th grade. Not sure about Siena though.

[Anonymous]

I would also recommend newton school... Super low student teacher ratio, executive functioning and adhd accomodations are integrated into the curriculum, movement based. I visited a while back and was VERY impressed.

[Anonymous]

OP said her DD was diagnosed as GT/LD. My DC has same diagnosis & we were advised that Lab did not deal with highly gifted, we were told to look at independent schools - that the small classes & availability of teachers to help, resource classes would be best. With GT/LD, you don't diminish the strength when treating the weaknesses, so you have to find a place with AP-level or beyond work for GT part & differentiation for LD part. We're still looking at schools but I'm looking at what some in the private school forum would call "second tier" privates. A lot of them have learning centers - they just don't highlight it in their advertising.

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about Cogmed though International Diagnostic Solutions in NW DC. Dr. Richard Fleitas was the psychologist who provided it for a boy on our soccer team. His parents were pretty impressed by the process. They said it as hard but that their son found it challenging and he was able to do the program on their iPad. The forum here has many mixed reviews. Any other recent experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are thinking about Cogmed though International Diagnostic Solutions in NW DC. Dr. Richard Fleitas was the psychologist who provided it for a boy on our soccer team. His parents were pretty impressed by the process. They said it as hard but that their son found it challenging and he was able to do the program on their iPad. The forum here has many mixed reviews. Any other recent experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I am the PP above who's DS just completed CogMed training. We really liked our provider. Called Dr. Fleitas but by the time he called me back I had signed up with a different provider.

My DS has attention issues, exec functioning due to fairly signficant working memory deficits. He made big strides according to the test results and the psych we used. starting to see some small changes but from what I understand it can be gradual. The psych we used did say that there are certain profiles that are best suited for CogMed and some that aren't. Our DS had the right fit, so we tried it. And she was upfront with us in telling us that it is not for everyone and that it will not work for everyone.

I think what made me finally bite the bullet and sign DS up for the program is that Bill Stixrud is a huge believer in the program. I think he's brilliant...so I went for it. figured if HE believes then so will I.

[Anonymous]

That's a great endorsement - Bill Stixrud is brilliant. I think that will seal the deal with my husband. Dr. Fleitas offered a Cogmed informational workshop this coming Saturday. Apparently families that choose to sign up for the training afterwards will get a discount on the training. Thanks so much for the feedback!