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shy? slow processor? low arousal levels??

7 replies

kateeliz · 08/08/2010 08:25

Hi,
I have a 5 year old, hes been at school since April. Hes always been really bright like both our families are. He could identify all the letters before he was 2, hes always had an amazing attention span and concentration, but hes pretty shy in social situations. hes very social, loves having friends, but finds it hard to speak up especially in a big group or with new people.
We were under the impression school was going great, apart from he was quiet. but on Thursday his teacher dropped a bombshell. She said hes a slow processor, has low arousal levels, so has neurological damage and his synapses arent firing etc. She told me this infront of him....
Anyway, i asked for a specific example of why she thinks this, and she said if she asks him a question in class she has to rephrase it 2 or 3 times before he comprehends and then he can only manage a 1 or 2 word answer. I laughed and said, no hes just really shy, we have never noticed that at home. Anyway, we are meeting with them again tomorrow to find out more and let them know the way they told me was inappropriate. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this? thanks!

OP posts:
Eleison · 08/08/2010 08:33

Unless she is a consultant neurologist or some such as well as a teacher, I would take her 'diagnosis' with a pinch of salt. I guess that at the school meeting you will learn interesting things about whatever challenges he faces in class but I wouldn't be anxious about an alleged dramatic problem that you just hadn't noticed.

How silly of her to speak like that.

kateeliz · 08/08/2010 08:52

yeah it was definitely a shocker on her behalf. Its really upset me too, have had a If there is a problem we will deal with it I know, but its just so out of left field at this point.

OP posts:
autodidact · 08/08/2010 09:05

Wow are you back to school already? It's still early summer holidays here. What sort of school is it? Is this a new teacher? Is he in year 1 or reception?

OnEdge · 08/08/2010 09:13

Neurological damage???

WTF is she talking about silly twat.

She is teacher not a consultant Neurologist.

He is probably sat wondering what a fucking idiot teacher he has ended up with.

kateeliz · 08/08/2010 09:31

I'm from NZ autodidact, cold winter here, although heading to London on Friday for 2 weeks, hooray, my brother is marrying a lovely english girl.
thanks On Edge! made me laugh!

OP posts:
kateeliz · 08/08/2010 09:31

and she is a brand new teacher, first job..

OP posts:
autodidact · 08/08/2010 10:44

Ah- very inexperienced then. She sounds like she's really out of her depth and totally overthinking. I hope there's nothing to worry about with your son. And also hope she can take your feedback on board re there being ways and means of communicating potential problems to parents.

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