I am new to this web site just found it a couple of days ago. I have a 16-1/2-year-old son (junior in high school) whom we have had trouble with doing his homework since 5th grade. He is a bright kid and always places at or exceeds levels on his assessment tests. He can even usually do pretty well on tests in his classes with As and Bs occasionally Cs.
He can do homework and then loose it or not have a clue where it is from the time he did it to the time it is supposed to be at school.
He is a bright kid, usually always thinking out of the box but home work is a struggle. He cannot spell for the life of him. In grade school he used to memorize the spelling words and pass the test but if he was writing a paragraph with those words he probably could not spell them or would not spell them correctly.
All of his teachers say he is cooperative and pleasant to have in class. He does not disturb the class or have any issues like that.
He could have some anxiety issues because he has always been more introverted than other kids, not always willing to go out there and make new friends.
I took him to the Pediatrician last year (sophomore year) and had teachers and myself fill out the Vanderbilt forms. The pediatrician said that my son probably was ADD inattentive type because he does tend to day dream in class and from the inattention to detail and homework. He put him on Concerta which my son did not feel gave any real noticeable help.
My son has started his junior year and we are back to the same old ballgame. Grades are slipping and homework not getting done or turned in.
I called the Pediatrician’s office and they said that we would have to fill all the forms out all over again before they would see him. I tried to get into our Pediatric NeuroBehavioral Specialist but have to be referred and would not be able to get an appointment until January.
I am at my wits end. My son needs to be able to do his school work and pass his classes to graduate high school. He wants to go to college but how on earth can we get through colllege if we cannot do the work in high school.
I am just looking for any suggestions or comments any one with more experience might have with these issues. I do not know if he needs to be assessed for a learning disability or is it just teenage rebellion and we just have to keep knuckling down to get him to do the work.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Natalie
Re: Learning Disability/ADD or just teenage rebellion
I can relate to your situation in two ways. One, I have a 17 year old daughter with a learning disability who is ADD and I work as a paraprofessional in a middle school. I work with a special education teacher with kids who are LD, ADD or emotionally disturbed and have been doing it for 13 years. When you said your son does his homework but then loses it before he can get to school was a huge red flag because many kids with ADD struggle with this. Of course some don’t. I also have ADD which I readily share with kids and I have to tell you that my desk is always a total mess, much like their notebooks and lockers. Your son could be easily overlooked in a classroom because,in your words, he is cooperative, pleasant in class and doesn’t disturb anyone. Please don’t waste your time trying to get your son diagnosed by your pediatrician. You need to find a good psychiatrist knowledgeable about children and ADD. Both my daughter and I started out on Concerta without seeing much of a difference. There are many other choices but you have to find the right one. Not everything can be solved with a pill, so if he is struggling, then a psychologist is the one to call for that. Once again, they must be knowledgeable about kids and ADD. We all want the best for our kids, but for some that might not be college immediately after high school. I know my daughter will not be ready for several years because she is just too immature. But you can’t give up and you must be an advocate for your son at school. Don’t assume that all teachers are aware of the best way to help your son. They have so much on their plate and he is just one more. If you want him to be tested for a learning disability, all you have to do is request that it be done. At least that is the way it is done in our district. They are required to complete the testing within, now don’t quote me on this, but I think it’s 30 days. So don’t wait. Also research getting a 504 for him which basically is just a plan put into place that cuts him a little slack so he can become successful. Maybe he needs an extra day to get homework done or extended time on tests. That would come in very handy if or when he takes college entrance exams. You can google “504 plan”. I have learned so much from this website plus there are many others with lots to offer. Best of luck. Marcia
I would suggest some counseling. Meds aren’t the only answer and he could have some issues/anxieties that he just needs to talk about. You may want to look for a therapist whose focus is education. My sister found an educational therapist very helpful in learning how to organize herself in college. (She has ADHD.)