DS9 wont try at school work - how to help

[racmac]

DS9 has always suffered from lack of confidence over the years - struggled with school work and i think as a result he refuses to try at anything because he is scared of failure.

We have had yet another parents evening of telling me all the things he does to avoid work - long trips to the toilet, sharpening pencils, putting rubbish in the bin, talking, everything to avoid the work. When he is forced to sit down and get on with it he perhaps writes a line or two where as the rest of the children are producing a page or so.

He is being moved away from his friend as they wind each other and Ive explained to his teachers that its lack of confidence but how else can i help him.

The only thing he tries in is PE and Sports - how can i help him to try - Im not bothered if he doesnt get there academically but i want him to try and to make an effort.

Any ideas

When he says 'Ican't do it', say 'You can't do it YET'.

Some boys, lots of boys find written work and getting their ideas down on paper really hard, yet if you asked them verbally they could give you a really good answer.

Can you speak to your sons teacher about another approach, if you think he has the capability mentally but not the writing techniques? Perhaps a lap top?

This sounds exactly like DD2. She was tested for dyslexia and she turned out to be a high end dyslexic.

Has yr, son been tested yet?

He has been under the care of an educational psychologist although this has now stopped.

She agreed that he was behind but did not seem to think there was an issue with dyslexia

After being tested the school did nothing. i don't think they can afford to "help" everyone so we took her to a specialist tutor who gave her the confidence and the tools to help her.

As Cyb says thank goodness for the technology now it really is the answer for the children with problems.