I have always helped my son study for tests and then one week, he
“forgot” to tell me about a couple of tests. He took a spelling test and history test without studying and did better than when we study. He told me after that, that when I help him study it makes things get all messed up in his head. Is this a normal thing for dyslexic’s? Do they have to find their own methods?
He’s 13 and in the 7th grade. Just wondering should I let him do it on his own or does anyone have another method?
Re: Things get messed up in his head?????
Let him take another test without studying. See if he does well. If so, let him take another. As long as it works, I wouldn’t interfere with it.
My father went through school and college without taking notes or studying. He always claimed that simply by listening intently, he could get it all down pat in his mind. He was a successful student.
Everybody has a different learning style. Your son may be able to learn just by being in class and listening the discussions.
Hmmmm…. it *is* possible that he’s right and whatever you’re doing with him is causing further confusion. It could also be that you’re in one of those situations where to get it *all* studied it’s got to go too fast. So, when he didn’t study at all, the stuff that he knew stayed put and didn’t get confused by trying to pile other stuff on top of it.
What you said was that he did better when he didn’t study, not that he was finding his own methods. Unfortunately, only some kids with dyslexia are successful at finding their own methods.
Analyze what he got right on these tests he did better on. Why did he get them right? How did he remember htem? What did he remember? Something he saw? heard? connected it to? See if he can apply that to more information, systematically.
At this age sometimes finding someone else to suggest methods is a good idea too — sometimes the fact that it’s your idea means it just can’t possibly work. THe same exact words from someone else’s lips could be words of great wisdom.