Not sure if this is right place to post this, ds having some problems at school

[MamaMaiasaura]

Since ds1 started school his teachers have rated his ability highly. He is very good at reading and did well in his sats. He is now in year 3.

In year 1 the teacher called me in as ds wasnt writing enough in class for the time given and would basically sit doing nothing but daydream. This went onto his numeracy too.

He ended up changing schools due to us living in a different area. They really supported him and he was top sets for everything. He got 2b for writing in SATS but was told by teacher he was more than able of a 3 but simply hadnt written enough.

Anyway, I have consistently noticed he needs prompting with homework and that daydreams easily. It isnt that he doesnt know answers but when it comes to writing them down is like a light switches off. Same with numeracy. His dad has dyslexia and university wanted to assess me. Ds's first cousin (only other boy in family) is being assessed. HE is a fair bit older but had very similar problems throughout school.

School did a mini assessment (they said the waiting list for full assessment is too long) on him and he did well and above average on everything but writing speed. His literacy and numeracy teacher kept me behind today to speak to about the fact that ds seems to daydream and not actually do the amount of work, although verbally he knows it. For example in numeracy, instead of 10 questions, he does 3. In literacy, it can take him 10 minutes to write the title, then he does an alright amount then drifts off again. ALthough he is able to do the work in the sets he is they are considering moving him as they dont have the staff to support him.

Because of his assessment results his teacher said that they dont think he has any specific needs. It seems to me though that ds has problems getting out on paper what is in his head, like the connection there is hard.

He is keen, enthuisiastic, very able and it is so hard to see him feel so demotivatied by this. Has anyone any experience in this? In my gut i feel that he needs support and help in learning how to get that information out. He has been at school for 4 years and this has been consistant. I am thinking of funding an independant assessment for dyslexia/learning needs. Any advice??

[aquariusmum]

Awen, I don't know enough about this but it might be worth posting it on the SEN education bit of this site. Also, did you ever try fish oil/omega 3 - it is supposed to help with concentration and I think it may have helped calm my ASD DS down a little. Big hugs!

[smartiejake]

Doesn't sound like dyslexia to me. WHat is is spelling and reading like?
Could be more like ADD - he sounds a bit like one of the kids I work with who is able/ good reader but getting anything down is like getting blood out of a stone. He daydreams too and I have to constantly bring him back to concentrate. He has ADD

[MamaMaiasaura]

will post this on SEN then. Spoke to the head teacher today. SHe thinks it may be part of cognitive process related to learning style/dyslexia type. Else it is a behaviour he has learnt that he will need support with. To sum it up he is above average on everything except his writing speed which is well below average.

He is eager to please, able to sit quietly and listen, not disruptive etc so this is really disheartening for him.

Have now bought some of the multi vits with omega - so thanks for that suggestion too.

Smartiejake - i did think about add but he doesnt fit that either.

All I want is him to be happy and relaxed. So hard seeing him stress out over it to the point he is having bad dreams etc.

[Dinosaur]

Both my DS1 and DS2 have needed to do major major handwriting practice - DS1's is just about getting there now (he's 8) but DS2's still needs a lot of work.

Do the school think that just practising more might help your DS?

[mummyblueyes]

This sounds exactly like my DD1 who is in year 4. I just thought she needs a lot of motivation but now I am thinking.....