Ds gets frustrated when reading as he says he brain gets stuck reading the same few words over and over

[Nabrt]

He is 10 and can definitely read. I know he is prone to small ocd type habits. It doesn’t affect him too much but I am always watching him to see things don’t escalate
does this sound like ocd ?

[UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername]

I don't know anything about OCD but I have ADHD and sometimes have trouble reading because my brain just isn't paying attention and I can read the same thing 10 times without actually taking in a single word. Is that what's happening with him?

[BooksAndChooks]

My son has an issue with his eyes tracking text. It was "diagnosed" by an educational occupational therapist. Maybe worth trying them, especially if he has other "habits".

[LimitIsUp]

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I don't know anything about OCD but I have ADHD and sometimes have trouble reading because my brain just isn't paying attention and I can read the same thing 10 times without actually taking in a single word. Is that what's happening with him?

This was exactly my first thought

[Nabrt]

Hmm . A lot to think about. I really appreciate your responses a lot. I never thought of adhd.
he is not a kid for sitting still at all. Great at football. He actually does well at school and I think he is quite smart and doesn’t get in to trouble for not paying attention/ sitting still etc. am I right in thinking this often happens with adhd? But he has a really strong desire to not get in to trouble and please people. So perhaps could be masking? At home he never really sits still and is always either outside practicing keep ups or jumping on trampoline. He has an older brother who is different personality and can sit concentrate for hours on lego etc. so I know he is definitely in a “not concentrate for long” sort of kid compared to others

[Nabrt]

Booksandchooks what did your son get diagnosed with in the end?

my older son reads for hours and read all the Harry potters by age 8. Whereas my younger son is still on quite basic books as he just does t have much desire to read. Perhaps it is actually quite hard for him. Is there anything can be done to help him?

[BooksAndChooks]

He didn't really get a "diagnosis" per say. We went with issues with concentration, easily distracted, assuming ADHD. We have been told he has a retained moro reflex and poor integration between the left and right side of his brain. They have given us exercises to do.

The wait for assessment and potential ADHD diagnosis on the NHS is aprx 2 years, and I wanted to do something to help in the meantime as his schooling is being impacted. A few people recommended the educational OT. We have only been doing the exercises a few months, and mostly over the summer, so we will soon see if there's any improvement now that we are back into the school year.

I would pass on the details of the OT but we are in NI, I assume that's no good to you?

[Nabrt]

Thanks that’s very kind. But we are in Scotland

[LadyNellCardross]

Could he have dyslexia or a problem with visual tracking? My son described his experience of reading in a similar way. I'm in Scotland too and would start with asking the school for an appointment with the Educational Psychologist.

[JSDLS]

ADHDer her too and also find it common to get stuck in a loop when reading

[JSDLS]

The getting into trouble is a false stereotype. I, like many individuals with ADHD, was was a model student. At school I would manage my needs by nipping to the loo regularly or blowing my nose. Rejection sensitivity is often linked to ADHD so your son may have a fear of doing the wrong thing in case he is rejected.

[IDK2]

He actually does well at school and I think he is quite smart
This was my DS. He was fine in junior school but problems set in at secondary school. Imagine trying to take a test or exam and having to read the question six times before it made sense.
Have a look at dyspraxia. People often think it is about physical problems (clumsiness) but it is about processing problems - just like your example of being unable to get the words from a page into their brain.

Rather than trying to guess what might be the problem, you are best asking the school to get a professional assessment.

[Nabrt]

Thanks. I will look in to an assessment. I just might have some difficulty getting school on board. He was actually grouped with some other children to move to a different class as they were consider the more able children who needed to be pushed a bit more. So as far as the school are concerned he is doing really quite well. Although it’s just little things I pick up on at home.

rejection sensitivity is a very big part of who he is. He absolutely hates to offend anyone and is a big people pleaser. To the point that I actually see it as an issue for him. But this is the sort of thing people don’t seem to understand when I mention it. They just think he is a nice kid, what’s the issue.

physically there is no clumsiness at all. He is very conordinated and actually talented in many sport including things like tennis. He has amazing eye hand coordination. Interesting to hear this could still be dyspraxia. I do feel that something isn’t quite right and I can’t work out who to ask to assess him. Schools do referrals to educational psychologists? Or would occupational therapist be a place to start?

[Nabrt]

He could definitely be described as hyperactive. He have difficulty getting him to sit nicely at dinner table. He would for instance crouch on the chair with his feet on the chair instead on him bum iyswim
and if he isn’t watching iPad ( habit probably not making things any better we have cut to an hour a day) then he climbs all over his brother trying to start wrestling matches. I know he doesn’t do these sort of things at school as he couldn’t he would get in trouble. For a long time we thought just boys being boys and he is just full of energy. But he is 10.5 now so maybe it is unusual for his age?

[IDK2]

physically there is no clumsiness at all. He is very conordinated and actually talented in many sport
Yes, you are still describing my DS! He had excellent gross motor skills but awful fine motor skills. His handwriting is appalling.

I had trouble getting an assessment. School fobbed us off by saying it was a medical problem. Doctor fobbed us off by saying it was an educational problem. We paid for it ourselves in the end.

[JSDLS]

Try Psychiatry UK for the ADHD assessment. If you successfully apply for right to choose funding the NHS will pay the fee

[HansZimmerframe]

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I don't know anything about OCD but I have ADHD and sometimes have trouble reading because my brain just isn't paying attention and I can read the same thing 10 times without actually taking in a single word. Is that what's happening with him?

Yes this is exactly what happens to me. I also have ADHD. I will read and then all of a sudden realise that none of what I've read has registered or stuck in my mind because I was thinking about something else. So I go back and read it again. It can happen numerous times with the same paragraph 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Nabrt]

I asked him tonight if maybe he should use a ruler to help him keep his place when he is reading and he said, it’s not that he loses his place, it’s not happening by accident or anything. It’s his brain which makes him not be able to keep going and having to read the same thing again. I will have to ask him if he is reading it cos he isn’t taking it in but I don’t think that is what he is saying