concentration in 5 year old

[maggiems]

I have written before about one of my Dt's concentration problems. The teacher raised it as an issue in October and there has been mention of ed pysch, iep etc. She said he doesnt listen to oral instructions well. He is in year 1 and the youngest in the class. They have started spellings and i had been very happy with how hes been doing but his work in class doesnt seem to reflect this. Each week I see the weekly informal test and what he puts on paper at school is not half as good as what he does at home. he seems to suffer from being distracted in the class setting. In his test today the teacher wrote that he needed one to one support to concentrate and apply himself. Now he has a cough and cold at the moment so maybe he was worse today but I suppose I had hoped he had improved since October . I know I probably need to see the teacher to see how he is getting on overall but I was wondering if others are in the same boat and i would love to hear from some who were in the same boat but whos DC's have improved . Didnt mind too much in reception but starting to worry as we are in the second half of year 1.

[indignatio]

can I suggest this thread for knowing that you are not alone

[tia2]

HI HUN MY DAUGHTER HAS CONCENTRATION PROBLEMS BUT SHE HAS GLOBAL LEARNING DELAY! PERPHAPS THE CLASS IS TOO BIG TOO MANY OTHER CHILDREN! ANY HEARING PROBLEMS! SIT AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASS MAYBE THAT WOULD HELP?

[LIZS]

Concentration issues may be symptomatic of all sort of things from ear and sight problems to dyspraxia, dyslexia or a form of ADD. we've been throguh it with ds and eliminated the physical before having an OT assessment. In his case he has motor skill and visual tracking problems , sequencing issues and probably is dyspraxic which is very common(about 1:20, more boys than girls).

The teacher and SENCO may have an idea as to what behaviour specifically highlights the problems to her and perhaps could make some modifications to how she teaches him to help - such as visual prompts, reminders of what the next step is and reevaluating how he is progressing with a task to keep him on track, and seating him in full sight of the board and her chair, away from a window or other distractions. Then you can see whether you want to have an assessment done via school or gp . Good luck.

btw tia2 do you realise you keep shouting with your capitals!

[tia2]

whoops sorry didnt know! lol

[maggiems]

thanks to those who responded. I suppose I have considered all the things that people have suggested, like ADD , dyspraxia, dyslexia etc and although he has a few traits in each I am unsure as to whether there would be enough for a diagnosis, although I know that one doesnt have to have all the symptoms. I suppse ADD would be the one that i would worry about the most although, concentration being his biggest problem , he is not hyperactive, a bit fidgety but deffo not AdHD.
LIZS - I was surprised to hear you say 1 in 20 could be dyspraxic. i didnt realise it was that common. I always think about Aspergers when I think about Dyspraxia as I know there is an overlap. It seems quite common from what I've read on Mumsnet for children who have been diagnosed with Dyspraxia to later be diagnosed with Aspergers. I suppose I am looking for reassurance that this is not the case in some instances. DT2 has mediocre gross motor skills, could jump, ride a trike, hop etc at the appropriate age but hasnt the greatest co-ordination . His fine motor skills are fine, writing and reading ok , its just getting him to focus on things thats the problem . Ah well I will go and see the teacher again . he is definitely impoving, just not sure if its quickly enough. he was a month premature and if born at the right time would now only be in reception which doesnt help.DT1 however is top at everything which makes it more difficult also. Thanks again