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Primary education

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Not so bright DS Y2

14 replies

adamantmine · 25/11/2012 10:42

My DS, 6.5, Y2, happily tells me that he's second from bottom in class. His reading is sub Y1, his maths is just about Y1. I'm a uni-educated mum who was always top of the class and so I know I'm partly being somewhat competitive here but.... However. It seems to me that there's a logical processing lack in his brain, he just can't seem to see the patterns in either letters or numbers. And he hates learning at home, getting him to do anything like read a book or add up some numbers is a real trial. And yet he has piano lessons and seems to have no trouble learning to read music. He is extremely physically co-ordinated and in conversation always seems quite bright. People tell me that 'he's a boy, don't worry, he'll get there when he's ready' but I'm not so sure. Most of the boys in his class are doing perfectly well. He seems more immature than most of them - his best friend always seems to me to feel a year older than him although there's only 3 weeks between them. Advice please!

OP posts:
mrz · 25/11/2012 11:36

www.amazon.co.uk/Help-Your-Boys-Succeed-Essential/dp/1855394499/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233074073&sr=1-2

After hearing Gary speak yesterday I recommend his work

IndigoBelle · 25/11/2012 14:33

Dyslexia?

mrz · 25/11/2012 14:35

It could be but not enough information or evidence

adamantmine · 25/11/2012 17:38

Well yes, IndigoBelle, that is the word at the top of my list. Just wondered if anybody out there had anything different, like sometimes they take a little longer to 'click'. Dyslexia testing is recommended after 7yrs old, and if the situation hasn't improved in 6 months, then that's what we'll be doing. But as a family on a low-income, dyslexia fills me with dread, for from what I've discovered, money helps.

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IndigoBelle · 25/11/2012 17:45

Money does help.

But you can do an awful lot on very little money.

Start researching dyslexia - that's free.

mrz · 25/11/2012 17:52

I'll recommend Indigo's website
www.dyslexiaadvice.co.uk/

IndigoBelle · 25/11/2012 17:59

Thanks mrz :)

I need to update the website to say one of the first things you should try for dyslexia is - gluten free / dairy free diet!

That has made an enormous difference to my 3 DCs - and doesn't cost.

I have read that anything between 60 - 100% of dyslexics suffer from food intolerances. You won't necessarily notice that they do ( only symptoms mine had were constipation and bloating)

If you can't break down the peptides in gluten / dairy then they bind with the opiate reactors in your brain - ie DD was getting a morphine hit every time she ate!!!!

No wonder her brain didn't work very well.

Nicknamegrief · 25/11/2012 18:05

I have a year two boy who until parents eve 6 weeks ago was just in your sons position in class with poor behaviour as well.

All of our immediate and extended family have at least a degree and his older brother is G&T.

I always wondered if he was just a typical boy and it looks like he may well be, as at parents evening they told me that since September he has made over 6 months worth of progress. If he continues at this rate this year he will have made up for reception and year 1 and be performing within expected limits.

His recent progress has been remarkable. I am so grateful for a school that supported him with IEPs and wanted to hold off any 'labelling' until year 3. His behaviour has also really improved/matured too.

I know its hard to wait, as I still am anxious that all this progress may stop and I'll have more battles for help and support. The thing I most worry about is forcing my expectations on him and him feeling like he isn't good enough. I would wait until the summer term but in the meantime keep asking school what extra support they have for him and for suggestions of things you can do at home (sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs).

This is mainly some of my story. I hope it helps.

adamantmine · 25/11/2012 18:50

Nicknamegrief, that's the kind of story I like, thank you for sharing. I'm hoping that it's just that my DS is still so very much into the physical and not ready to sit down yet.
Indigobelle - thank you for that food for thought, and have had a quick look at your website. The other condition I wonder about is ADD, which freaks me even more.
Diet. DS been on goat milk since he was 2 and has little other dairy. Was somewhat wheat intolerant also. Broke out in appalling excema when 2, acupuncturist/chinese diet man sorted it with fairly strict diet which is much slacker now, but cow milk still an issue. Has been taking Omega 3 for past 3 months. Gluten - does that include porridge??? He does have a fair amount of wheat, esp pasta. Maybe a return to rice pasta, see what happens.

Thanks ladies.

OP posts:
squeezedatbothends · 25/11/2012 19:22

Also you might find it useful to read Carol Dweck's excellent book Mindsets : The new psychology of success.

IndigoBelle · 25/11/2012 19:25

From what you've said I'd def try going gluten free for a few weeks or months and seeing if it helps.

You do need to cut out oats (porridge) as part of a gluten free diet.

You can get gluten free pasta from all the major supermarkets.

Which Omega is he on? They differ vastly......

adamantmine · 25/11/2012 20:03

Bugger. Porridge major breakfast most days..... Omega Efalex 3+6.
Also has v sweet tooth which I do try to keep under control (sweets on Fridays only) which involves trying to keep grandpa and the biscuit tin at bay (we live with). Not much in the way of additives - am a home-cooker and after him once getting hold of a bottle of Fanta and going absolutely bonkers for a couple of hours there's no way he ever has any kind of fizzy or other additive drink.

hey ho. Do feel less stressed and more cheered.

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IndigoBelle · 25/11/2012 20:11

Glad you're feeling less stressed. There really is so much you can do.

Efalex is a good brand - although it contains more DHA than EPA and it may be that he does better on a different brand like vegepa (none of the experts can agree on what the right dose of anything is)

Would he have eggs for breakfast? Protein for breakfast is much better than toast or cereal or porridge.

adamantmine · 25/11/2012 21:01

Eggs 3x a week - more than that gets a bit bound up. He'd have them breakfast lunch and supper if he could.

Gluten investigations I suppose (selfish mama). Thanks for your advice

nite nite

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