Learning Disabilities...?

danalyn · 06-08-2006, 08:51 AM

I just came from the placement meeting at Jesse's school. They want to look into ADD, they have identified him as an "exceptional" student... Anyhow, I thought I'd look for some support here before going to the provincial level website.

KFBobInsanesMom · 06-08-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danalyn

I just came from the placement meeting at Jesse's school. They want to look into ADD, they have identified him as an "exceptional" student... Anyhow, I thought I'd look for some support here before going to the provincial level website.

I am always skeptical about a school saying a child is ADD. I think most of the time it's not a problem with the child, but a problem with our system of education. We don't put children in a class at their level of understanding, but by age. Often I think it's just boredom, or being hopelessly lost and frustrated, that causes children to appear to not be able to pay attention.

You know him better than they do. Do you think he has a problem with being able to focus on a task and complete it? Is he different at home than he is at school??

danalyn · 06-08-2006, 11:11 AM

what he has problems with is remembering. Example: I sent him down the street to the grocery store yesterday after eggs and a can of tomato soup. He had to come back because he forgot what he was after.

in class I know he doesn't necessarily pay attention well... but most of that is because he's paying attention to other children (girls he has crushes on...?)

Nate · 06-08-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danalyn

what he has problems with is remembering. Example: I sent him down the street to the grocery store yesterday after eggs and a can of tomato soup. He had to come back because he forgot what he was after.

Everyone does that. A bad memory =/= a mental disorder. Write him a note next time.

Quote:

in class I know he doesn't necessarily pay attention well... but most of that is because he's paying attention to other children (girls he has crushes on...?)

My first guess would be, given his being an "exceptional student," that he is bored.

I am not a doctor. These are not medical opinions.

exo · 06-08-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danalyn

what he has problems with is remembering. Example: I sent him down the street to the grocery store yesterday after eggs and a can of tomato soup. He had to come back because he forgot what he was after.

in class I know he doesn't necessarily pay attention well... but most of that is because he's paying attention to other children (girls he has crushes on...?)

It depends on why he's not remembering I think. Is it because his mind is racing around and he can't keep his attention on the task at hand, or is it just because he has a bad memory. One can tell the difference.

Also, does he have the ability to hyper-focus on stuff? This can happen quite frequently with ADD folks (my best friend has ADD).

It's normal to not pay attention in class from time to time, but why he's not paying attention is probably the key. It he just unable to (ADD), is he bored (too smart for that class), or is he just being a normal pre-teen being occupied with other things than school?

I'd do some research on the internet.

Lastly, have you asked him? I mean, he can tell you a lot more than the teachers can. Reassure him that he's not gonna get in trouble or anything (assuming he hasn't done anything wrong), but that you just want to figure out what's going on. Being open and honest about it will help him to deal with it if it is an issue and help him to train himself to work around it. Whispering behind his back to teachers and to others will only make him think something is completely wrong with him and might even make it worse.

danalyn · 06-09-2006, 05:45 AM

well, firstly "exceptional" student is their new fangled way of saying he needs extra help in some things.

while there is a possibility of ADD, I can almost assuredly say that it is not ADHD. He is a very quiet, very calm child.

I don't know about boredom or being hopelessly lost at school, but he generally doesn't pay much attention at home either.

I'm fine with them giving him the extra help. This is nothing new. They've done it at previous schools. To my knowledge though, this is the first time they've gone so far as to label things "Learning disorder"

Futan · 06-09-2006, 07:30 AM

well first you have to remember this is the PC age... shyness is now called social anxiety, yadayadayada. So labelling shouldn't worry you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by exo

is he bored (too smart for that class)

Boredness can also mean he's not smart enough for the class and is usually the case. Everything is flying over his head so he's bored.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaNatiel's mommy

I think most of the time it's not a problem with the child, but a problem with our system of education. We don't put children in a class at their level of understanding, but by age.

I completely agree. In 10th grade, I took algebra. My brain wasn't fully developed yet and I just didn't understand it. So I spent most of the class just doodling in my notebook and failed, had to go to night school to graduate HS. When I retook the class in 12th grade, it was easy and I got mostly As and Bs.

ICTHUS · 06-09-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Futan

well first you have to remember this is the PC age... shyness is now called social anxiety, yadayadayada. So labelling shouldn't worry you.

I think you're being overly dismissive of social anxiety. There's such a thing as being shy, yes. But there is also such a thing as being so afraid you're going to have a panic attack that you barricade yourself inside your house in order to avoid those places you fear you will have a panic attack in.

I'll thank you not to be so dismissive of social anxiety, sir.