I am still trying to figure out how to tackle sson’s (14) school problems. He is an atrocious speller, reads fairly well but about a year behind where he is, very smart and compensates for his other problems … seems, however, to have serious problems with organization and, I think, with organized thinking (this shows up particularly in math - maybe writing as well as what he writes tends to either be very brief and to the point or quite rambling.) Of course, it shows up in other areas as well - which is why he has three Ds and an F on this last report card - due almost entirely to failing to turn in homework, the majority of which both we and the teachers know he actually did do because we all made him do it. We have homework notebooks, folders for every class, homework hotlines etc but that just doesn’t seem to equate with the work being turned in. Is it sloppiness or something deeper (depression)? Last night, while trying to help him with his homework in math, I actually had to tell him that when you write out a letter or number you can not write it on top of other text - it has to have its own space. But everything in his life is like that - crammed on top of everything else. And beyond that, his room is in total disarray, all the time - no matter how often we try to help him organize it it never works and the place is a total mess. Any ideas? The reason he was in special ed/learning disabled designation originally was due to disorganization and to his language troubles. We feel like if he could get a handle on the organization then the rest would follow - what are some possible solutions to
Re: Still teasing this out - where does disorganization fit?
I equate my own son’s organizational issues with his lack of attention. He is one of those add kids that doesn’t fit all of the diagnostic criteria but just has some attentional issues. Organization takes attention to detail.
Interactive metronome helped this and so did putting him on a high protein diet. He is just way more organised when I get that protein in him. He sees the difference too. When he gets candy or high carbs he is a different child. I also found that he needs a good bit of exercise every day to stay focused. Sometimes if he is not concentrating well I will send him out for a bike ride and he will come back ready to learn. His problem is workable and therefore I am not considering meds at this time.
Also, behaviour modification can help.
Re: Still teasing this out - where does disorganization fit?
Some organizational issues can certainly be a manifestation of an attentional issue. Organization or the lack of it is one of the diagnostic characteristics that associate with ADD, for example.
Sitting and working with him even every night can be far more helpful than the many binders, folders and notebooks they are given in school these days. Indeed, I found the many materials students are given to ‘help’ with organization to be exacerbating the problem and not any part of a solution.
it is how his brain works..
He has problems with his Executive Functioning and until he gets a handle on his organizational/attentional/focus skills he won’t break through to where you want him to go. It will continue into his adulthood unless he gets a handle on it now.. If everything else has failed to change his behavior….have you ever thought about medication to treat his attentional issues?
I have seen a dramatic improvement in children and adults with ADD who have tried medication. There is a new non-stimulant medication for ADD called Strattera. You can get samples from your Dr. to try and see if this will help your son learn to focus.
He probably has never learned what it is like to focus and once he sees what he can do with the help of medication he will feel better about himself and not be depressed. It is tough for a person to have ADD and know that they are smart but for the life of them they can’t pull it together when everyone else around them can and that makes them feel like just giving up… Good luck…
Re: it is how his brain works..
On of my students, who forgets his meds too often, tells me how much they help him when he takes them. We notice a HUGE difference, too.
Re: Still teasing this out - where does disorganization fit?
Lots of good responses here, but I’m intrigued with your comment that he writes numbers on top of numbers etc. Is it because he is tired at night doing homework, or is there a visual spatial processing something going on and he doesn’t SEE it? I swear this is why my 7th grade NLD girl can’t find anything — yes there are lots of organizational issues, and she doesn’ t seem to have severe visual spatial issues, but she truly doesn’t SEE things around her.
BTW why can’t these teachers say to every kid: Hand in your homework now please!!! Why do the kids (at least the kids like ours) have to remember that?
Does he perhaps memory issues? He does his homework, puts in the folder, BUT forgets to turn it in? What type of folder does he have? Is it in a 3 ring binder with his notes or is it seperate? Here is what helped by son who is also 14 with multiple classes. For each class he has a 3 ring binder, the binder has a pencil holder, and a folder. The folder is see-through. This way when he opens his binder he can see through and see he has homework to turn in triggering him to do it. His folders are color coordinated with his text. IE he has a red math book therefore has a red binder and folder to go with it. This system has really cut down on forgotten items and not turning homework in. The spacing issue could indicate some type of visual processing problem. Hope this helps.