What more can I do? re: child at college

[BooHaa]

My DS is 16, one of the you gets in his year group and as a result has struggled academically since starting school. Generally speaking it's always been a report from teachers that he is very bright but is not focused. He got through his SAT's with the help of a scribe and came out with good average scores. For GCSEs he did better than I expected and was only 5 marks off getting what he needed for English to not have to resit and maths was a grade lower than he needed.

He has started college doing a subject he enjoys but I'm having lots of complaints from his teacher about lack of focus and effort. He doesn't make notes and never knows how to do his homework. There is a chhnace he could be kicked off his course. I don't know what I can do, he's at college now not school so I'm happy to be firm with priviledges and also help him do his homework but I feel like this is not teaching him any independence. Or maybe I need to do this to help him establish the pattern of how to work?

I've suggested he thinks about changing courses to something more practical but he doesn't want to do that. I am really worried for his future and would welcome ideas about what he could do if this course doesn't work out, something we he can use his intelligence but in a practical way.

Has he ever been assessed for ADHD? If he had a scribe for SATS then he must have had significant problems at primary. It sounds like he's done well despite his issues which should be applauded.
You can speak with the welfare officer at his college to see if there is an option for assessment for ADHD, dyslexia etc. Speaking as someone with experience in this area, it sounds to me like there is an underlying issue.

What has he said about it?
Does he feel like he struggles to concentrate or does he just not like college and can't be bothered?

Did he have access arrangements for gcse? If he had for sats was he assessed? If not speak to the learning support department about this asap. They may be able to offer some extra study skills sessions.

His tutors could use handouts of any powerpoints, written prompts, the lesson should be structured with a review of previous work , teaching and review of lesson with homework. He needs to have a printed summary and be told to add his own notes during the lesson. Has he asked for help when stuck? Is there an online system (moodle?) where lesson plans and homework is posted?

You could be describing my son. He's just been assessed for dyslexia and has it.

If he had a scribe before he must have a diagnosis surely? You can't have one without a recognised need.

How has he coped since? There must be an issue and he's done well if he's managed with no more help

Does he know HOW to take notes? The college library may run study skills courses. The open university (amongst others) has free study skills resources.

He might consider recording the lectures / classes.

He should request ppts / handouts ahead of time, without a specific diagnosis this is up to his teacher / lecturer.

I can't remember how the scribe was permitted, it was the headteacher who acted as his scribe! When he was very young primary he had to go to a special school for a few hours each day for a year to learn 'classroom skills' as he was very distracted and was always touching people and in their face annoying them! In Year 8 I asked for him to be assessed by school, an outside person did some work with him and he was diagnosed with 'poor working memory'. College have also do a screening of each new student and nothing was flagged (I asked). I do feel he has traits of something though, yet I think teachers think I'm making excuses for him and my husband thinks he's just lazy because if my son lieks something, he will apply himself well. He can drone on about one subject, repeatedly coming back to it for hours bringing it back up! He also is a very fussy eater, and food can't touch and is generally plain except for pizza.

I will ask college for further assistance. But please do advise on what I need to ask for or specific people I should speak to as it's a minefield!!

You can't blame this on being young in year.

However, it sounds as if you should look more into ASD, ADHD, Dyspraxia & Dyslexia. It could be a combination of a SpLD and disengagement due to the SpLD not being recognised and allowed for.

Look online for checklists and see whether anything rings a bell. I didn't realise that some of my DD1's issues were linked to dyspraxia until I saw them on a list.

What course is he doing? Level 2 BTEC? If he can focus when engaged I guess the right course is key. What does he like doing?

You get 3 years at college if necessary, so if he has to restart next Sept on a different course having got his maths & English it wouldn't be the end of the world. Or an apprenticeship?

How is he socially, OP? Handwriting? Does he move / fidget a lot? What is his coordination / physical skills like?

From what you're describing he sounds very much like he has ADHD traits. If you look on line you'll be able to find more information and some checklists which you can do with him. Not I self diagnose, but to give you an idea.
His behaviour at primary school was not that of just a younger child in the year.

And look up "hyper focus". In ADHD, people can focus brilliantly on something that they find interesting and engaging!

You can have a scribe withour a diagnosis, if their writing is ineligible or they are slow or have difficulty or an injury, school can arrange a scribe so that will be how he had one for exams. I agree with PP on the ADHD traits.

Really interesting, will be asking college for info re study skills and also further investigations into possible undiagnosed 'nuances'.

Socially he does OK but he was always the loud in your face kid and has only made friends his own age in the last year I presume due to maturing a bit more. Handwriting scruffy but legible much like his father's, fidgeting possible but he can sit still in a conversation or at cinema etc. His coordination is again OK but takes a bit more practice sometimes and physically I would say there are no issues, he was a good runner at school and was a scooterer and bmxer in early teens. Not sure if that's indicative either way??

I would have a word with the additional support/learning support team at his college. I work with students who have various needs and we help them to find strategies to help them with their studies to become more independent, but can also scribe, read, keep them on task and break down any information that has been given if memory skills or processing are affected. It sounds like he could benefit from having a block of support to give him the tools to deal with his college work. Many teenagers struggle with the transition from school to college as it can be quite different to what they are used to.

Get him a personal tutor.

It sounds like he never learnt academic skills when at school, eg how exactly to revise and focus. I was the same at school - went from A*s at GCSE to D in A level mock exams as I couldn’t wing it anymore. I then couldn’t actually revise efficiently and would just procrastinate. My tutor really helped.

The touching people, in your face nature, poor working memory and fussy/plain food sounds like my 8 year old son who has ASD diagnosis.