How do I help my son??? He is in year 7 and is struggling to learn, I knew he was behind the average, but didnt realise how bad until now - he struggles to read and write, and god only know what else. He doesnt understand the homework he gets and he doesnt ask for help. I dont know if he doesnt realise how bad it is. For the last 2 years I have left him to learn himself with the help of the school teachers ofcourse as I found that I was overhelping and that wasnt helping. But now what do I do??? How do I get him help, I dont want him to fall further behind, I want him to achieve
How do I help him learn??
Thursday, 12 March 2015 - 11:08
How do I help him learn??
Posted in:
Parenthood Guilt, Teenagers, Tips and Advice
6 Replies
Go to your GP and explain what is happening. Ask for him to be assessed by a psychologist. The psychologist will test for any learning issues and find out where he is academically and give recommendations based on the report.
Don't try and go public, go private, yeah if you don't have cover it will cost but it's very much worth it and sitting around on waiting lists isn't an option.
was his primary school concerned about his academic achievements? and has his file been passed on to the high school so they know his history?
first stop is the high school, make an appointment with his Year Adviser or deputy principal or someone who can help and sit down with them and explain everything you have said here, ask them where he sits on the continuam (sp?) so you get an idea of where he is at and ask what are they doing to get his grade up, as that is their job. they may not realise he is a child in need of more help if he isnt asking for it. work with the school on a plan together to get him on his way, they should be more than happy to see a parent interested in helping their kid. also if you want to get him tested there should be a school counsellor/psychologist who can assess him and it wont cost you.
you are doing the right thing by intervening and asking for help, so go you!
this would usually be my advice but the last two years Ive watched kids wait 2 years for assessment with the school. So yeah go through this but don't wait!
This sounds just like my younger brother. He struggled through primary school and high school until he was diagnosed with dyslexia (and irlen syndrome which is quite similiar and often they go together). Now he wears irlen glasses and it allows him to process print and words better. It made a dramatic difference to him.
Research dyslexia/ irlen syndrome and if possible get him tested for irlen glasses.
Sounds like my son, I put him through so many assessments in primary school but no one came up with anything, no one would pass him to get extra help, now in high school he is struggling especially in maths. My advice would be go to the school and have a talk to them about how bad it is. May be able to get extra help? I went to the school about my sons maths and the teacher offered him extra lessons which he offered to keep secret because my son was worried about teasing. By the end of the term there was 4 kids in the group and one of them was my sons friend so he didn't have to worry about keeping it secret anymore.
Most of the time schools want to do the best by the kids so they will do what they can to help
Time to go have a serious talk with his teacher/s, find out what's going on in the classroom. Then make an appt to have an assessment done. At this age I would not be waiting on the public waiting list, he needs help now.