message for doddle ... please?

[Bink]

Having noticed what you do, and your description of your son, could I please pick your professional/personal brains?

I have, as you maybe know, a 7yo son in yr3 who has some educational difficulties (but not academically). He's in a specialist school at the moment - to focus on non-academic things like language & socialisation, which is right for him for now.

He has a particular strength in maths, one that his current school isn't really set up for (which is fine, as he's there for other reasons), and we were wondering about finding a special sort of tutor for him for out-of-school extension. Special sort, because we wouldn't be looking to do the typical thing of accelerating him through the curriculum - I don't want to put him under any pressure - we'd be looking for someone who'd engage him in mathematical ideas, problem-solving - a broadening rather than an accelerating thing - and who'd be sympathetic to ds's muddled speech and liability to go off at tangents. A bit like ds's lovely piano teacher, who gets him all bright-eyed about music theory.

Would you be able to give me any pointers about where we might be able to find someone like this?

(If it's helpful, here's an illustration of ds & maths: he saw a set of 6 prints for sale, at £60 each or £300 if you bought the lot. "Oh, a special offer" he said, "if you buy them all each one is only £50. Or, 16% off." I asked if he was sure. He said "Well, it's nearer 17%, it's 16.666 recurring.")

Hi Bink,

Your son sounds fabulous! Very like DS1, he also has socialisation difficulties and is in Y3. I'm just trying to get my planning done for this week but i'll have a think about some possibilities. I can certainly recommend some websites and books that my DS1 enjoys.

I'll be back later.

dino - that's a lovely idea, what a kind thought.

(How does doddle's ds feel about Monopoly, & fiscal speculation in general? Might there be some altogether common ground there?)

Bink, I'm so sorry, my mind is like a sieve. DS1 loves Monopoly. He is Monopoly King in our house would loves to get together with you and Dino.

I'm not sure where you would find someone lovely and Mathematical to work with your DS, because the school and I have had similar difficulty trying to find someone to work with DS1.

These books are good mad about maths

as is anything by Brian Bolt

I'll try and think of some more

I promise i will remember to get back to you later.

doddle - thanks so much for the BEAM site - I didn't know about that one. Ds is as I write doing a "money maze" from it.

Since I did my original post, it dawned on us that the wife of a friend does just about exactly what we want (silly overlooking by us). However, she has a tiny baby so isn't working just now - but has v kindly said she will see whether she has contacts who might help.

If we do get leads, do you want any passed on to you?

(Ds is also now asking just how soon the Monopoly fest might happen.)

I'm sorry I can't be of help as I'm in Somerset but there must be a huge range of private tutors like me esp. in London who would be prepared to help. The joy of tutoring privately is that you can teach to the individual's needs and strengths, i hope you have some luck, if you ever move down my way get it touch it sounds like your DS would be a joy to teach. He sounds like he is particularly gifted,when you refer to his special needs is he autistic?, he sounds likehe has a very high IQ, perhaps youmight be able to get help from the gifted and talented area. good luck.

Thank you clutteredup - I'd noticed your thread before (though didn't post as we don't HE) - and seeing what you do made me surer we could find someone!

Yes, ds has been assessed as having a high IQ; as to autism, perennial question! He has some of those traits, certainly, but some other typical difficulties (generally the more troubling ones) he doesn't have. Attempts at assessment/diagnosis have all been inconclusive so far.