Hi all
I have a lovely DS but we have been noticing some slightly odd behaviour over the past couple of years. Don't know whether we're being hyper sensitive or just wanting him to do the best he can be. Here's an example of some of them:
Mentally, bright, eloquent (when he wants to be), reads a lot, but when it comes to putting what's in his brain down on paper, sometimes gets completely blocked. Doing an English essay can sometimes take him hours rather than the 40 mins it's supposed to. Also, with maths - quite simple concepts complete fox him to the surprise of his teachers. Initially we though it was he couldn't be bothered, but it's more than this - he gets frustrated and just can't put pen to paper. Some teachers talk about a lack of confidence, but it appears almost like a physical block in his brain.
He's pretty calm most of the time, almost to so laid back he's horizontal, but this can turn into being almost neutral to events. He sometimes lacks sensitivity and often says things that he knows will cause an eruption (either from his parents or brother).
Lastly, he gets obsessed by certain things. For instance, if he isn't allowed to game (we have a restriction on how much is played on the w/end), he goes into the garden and just walks round and round the back, rain or shine, sometimes for hours. We have suggested he take the dog for a walk or do something more constructive - we do force him to do things instead - but he always declines.
Am I just being paranoid and jumpy because we're about to enter the teenage years or parental frustration that he is not doing better at school when there is definitely a brain in there somewhere? Is this just a normal sign of tweenager-dom?
Am contemplating an educational psychologist to get him assessed, but would this be a step too far?
Any suggestions welcome.