Hes 9 yrs (almost 10) and in grade 4. He has had difficulty in school for as long as we can remember. Usually reading and spelling but math sometimes as well. Interestingly enough, he has many problems with basic math (single add/sub single mult/div) but the bigger numbers he seems to get.
So, heres the thing. We've spoken to each teacher with our concerns that he may have a learning disability from the "mistakes" that he makes. For instance, he mixes up lettters - he'll try to spell "house" as "houes". When he reads a sentence, he gets a few words correct but change the rest. Like, the sentence is "he rode the horse down to the cabin" and he'll read, "he was riding his horse to his cabin".
We've been told that each child learns at his own pace, which we understand completely, we never push, it just *feels* like something isnt right.
I've noticed he has a hard time focusing on each question and only completes part of it. (writing out the sentence, but not underlining the rhyming words, or whatever). I've asked him to cover up the rest of the page to help him focus. I hope that helps.
I asked him if the letters seem to be "jumping" around on the page, he said yes.
He also has a very short attention span. If you ask him to get you the blue cup, he'll come back with a green bowl.
So, learning disability? Hearing problem? ADD?
Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? His teacher this year is finally listening to our concerns and will be speaking to the guidance counsellor to see if can get an eval. But she honestly told me that shes not optomistic since he does well on his tests, and there are other kids who are worse off than him. (I dont blame her, the system is taxed to the limit and I do appreciate her honesty). She too does she him struggling and she will watch him more. She's willing to help which is excellent.
I just like to have more info so I can at least help him where he needs it. KWIM?
Thanking you all very much in advance.
Laura


He sounds a lot like what my brother was like in school. My first guess is dyslexia. He sounds like he may be a little on the gifted side too, if he's able to overcome this learning disability and do well on tests. My brother is very smart, but did poorly in school because he never got the help he needed.


I agree with the pp. But there are many, many types of 'problems-with-language-diseases' and many of them are called dyslexia. I would personally say, please do not go with the label. Look at your son. The 'problem' is not him, but the fact that schools are set up for the lowest common denominator (that sounds terrible, but I hope I have made my point). My brother was also undiagnosed 'dyslexic'- he did very badly at school, but went on to do fantastically at a fantastic uni. My parents said he was stupid :( .
Take care.
xxx
PS. I should mention that I am planning to unschool my own son :wink


Thank you both for your replies.
After doing some research he does seem to fall under the "dyslexia" category. His troubles are all there.
He does seem very gifted, its interesting. He gets a list of spelling words each week to study, I've noticed that when you do pre-tests at home with him he gets them all right if you say them in the order given, but if you mix them up (start at the bottom of the list then go to the middle) he has more difficulty.
He gets frustrated and easily distracted. We've always told him that people learn differently and at different paces and we're trying to find the best way for him to learn. He seems to make him feel better temporarily, but once he gets stuck he feels bad and gets frustrated, vicious circle, ya know?
I do agree about schools being set up for the lowest common denominator. We've talked about homeschooling all the kids but it wont work for our family right now. So we try to apply the "theories" of homeschooling and unschooling while still sending them to public school. Does that make sense? We feel that we're augmenting their schooling. :)
I should be hearing from his teacher today or tomorrow, so I'll find more out then.
Thanks again!
p.s all the best on your unschooling! :)


and please keep us posted!
I also recently read about a disorder, I don't remember the name but will look it up, that has to do with how words/letters/numbers appear on the page and sometimes a simple colored overlay makes the difference!
I'll look it up. DITTO the certified letter! That's called Irlen Syndrome. But that's all I know about it :)
I have two suggestions:
1) Buy Linda Silverman's book "Upside Down Brilliance", and Allie Golon's "T opsy turvy World - Parenting your visual-spatial child. These two books are full of stories of kids very similar to yours (especially the bit about letters jumping, doing better with the harder stuff than the easier stuff).
2) Get him an evaluation from a developmental optometrist (not your regular optician). He may benefit greatly from a course of vision therapy to help his eyes work together better. Check out PAVE - Parent Advocates for Vision Education. Often these issues can look like inattetion or other learning disorders.
Dyslexia can intersect with both of these issues. "The Gift of Dyslexia" (Ron Davies or Davis) would be another helpful book, probably.