Should I get a tutor for my 5 year old DS..

[Notgivingin789]

Hi everyone,

DS, 5, would be going to a specialist school for children who only have speech, language and communication difficulties. Due to DS severe language skills, the school said it will be best for him to repeat the Reception year and will then go to his age appropriate year group, if he improves etc.

DS is quite smart and he has no learning difficulties, just communication and speech impairment. But, I was thinking of getting him a personal tutor, to help him catch up academic wise.

What do you guys think? Should I embark on this?

Sounds as if he is in the right place if he is in a specialist school, who will have the skilled staff to help him with his specific difficulties.

Would you be looking for a specialist tutor? Or a bog-standard push your child tutor? I can't imagine any reputable tutors saying anything other than "Let him settle at school, be comfortable and make progress with his communication difficulties. If he is bright enough (as you say) he will catch up anyway"

The thought of a child of 5 having a tutor is a bit tiger mum, and my natural instinct is no (I am a teacher in Asia- I know it happens a lot here)

Thanks for replying fatowl. I was thinking of looking for a specialist tutor, to tutor him twice a month. Really, so I can have guidance on what iI can be doing with him at home.

Is he already at the specialist school? They should know best what to do. I wouldn't think a tutor is helpful at this stage.

My ds also has a severe speech disorder but his school have never said to hold him back a year, because, like your son, he is smart and as far as we know, as no other learning difficulties (he is still only 6)

Kelda no he is not at the specialist school. They wanted DS to repeat a year, as even though his smart, he still has issues with attention and listening, understand the use of language etc, which is vital for year entry into year 1.

Specialist schools are quite different from regular mainstream school, children are put in classes of ability, rather than gae.

Sorry I'm not clear. Does the specialist school want him to repeat reception at mainstream school BEFORE joining their I school? If so I wouldn't use a tutor. If you are thinking of asking if he can join the year he 'should' be in and using a tutor to help him catch up/fit in - then maybe but take guidance from them. They will know their stuff. And if you do use a tutor use a specialist tutor not a regular one.

overthemill That's ok. No they want him to repeat the reception year at the specialist school. That is true shiney I could ask the school to give me some guidance and seas.

My ds was selective mute through nursery and part of reception, and attended lots of speech therapies etc.
But, he had no learning difficulties as well.(As long as doctors are concerned.)

Maybe the problems might be different from your dc, but I never thought of tutor.
I asked the teachers what I can do, and helped him at home. He loved computer, so we started doing lots of free online stuff.

You know your child best, so if the tutor may be a help, go for it.
Luckily, he is not mute anymore, but still has lots and lots to overcome.
I am still trying to figure out how to help my ds at home! It's hard work, but it's a joy as well.

So he is about to start at the special school but is repeating reception year?
If that's the case I'd speak to the school when he starts and ask them how you can help at home. Have you got salt reports with suggestions for how you can help him?

i have no experience of your ds' particular situation so please take my post in that light.

i would not repeat the reception year because if he is bright he will catch up very quickly. i would go to the tutor and sit in to understand what they do in the sessions and follow that through at home.

i would also be in close contact with his teacher at school to follow through at home.

my personal view is that there isn't that much they cover in reception that you couldn't teach at home. if you're able to get involved you'll quickly see what the gaps are and help him. i think he might be frustrated or bored if it's too easy by redoing the year?

i have a child who had a speech problem, but also other physical problems plus possible dyslexia and i have helped her through a fair whack of work at home.

that is my personal opinion and this is so dependant on the needs of your child and how he copes. how about a trial term and if at christmas he's not coping then move him back?

eddielizzard I have already said yes for DS to repeat the reception year and I fully understand why they suggested that.

My DS has a very severe speech impairment, his 5 and a half and can only say 20 single words. He has attention and listening difficulties, which is vital for him to able to access a year one class. At his last school, he wasn't really following the reception curriculum because of the difficulties highlighted above.

Oh, What do you mean by move him back?

ok - sorry i misunderstood.

in that case i would hold off on the tutor. see how he handles the first term and then take it from there. he may be just fine, or the school may suggest it if it is a good idea. i'd also talk to the other parents there and see what they suggest.

Hi eddie That's alright! No need to apologise, yes I may hold off and see how he gets on instead.

Instead of a tutor, would it be worth spending the money on a BSL teacher/course for the both of you (and other family members ) learning sign language so that you can all communicate?

Hi princesshairy, Luckily in DS new school, all the staff are makaton trained (another form of signing) and I have booked myself on a course to learn the macaroon signing too.