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Primary education

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Original poster

Slow processing speed- a 'thing' to worry about or not?

89 replies

LovelyBath · 31/03/2016 23:27

I've just found out at parent's evening that DS is being given extra time in the yr 6 SATS due to his slowness in writing. I didn't realise he was that slow! It seems he is very bright, and often answers half a practice paper well but the other half is blank due to the time he takes.

I asked whether I should speak to someone about it and they mentioned the SENCO if i wanted to but not sure. I guess he's moving to secondary now so might as well wait and say what they say.

OP posts:
user789653241 · 05/04/2016 17:04

Yes, that's a good idea. We will try. Thank you.

SofiaAmes · 05/04/2016 17:22

Also, read the book My Stroke of Insight. It's by this woman, Jill Bolte Taylor who was a neurobiologist and had a massive stroke and she describes her recovery from it from a somewhat scientific point of view. One of the things she mentions is that before the stroke she had the most beautiful handwriting and after the stroke she couldn't handwrite at all, but was able to type just fine. She describes that they happen in two different sides of the brain (I can't remember which was which as I'm not so good with Right and Left.).

SofiaAmes · 05/04/2016 19:27

mrz unfortunately, I think that both those articles talk about handwriting for the most part as it's processed by a "normal" brain. The whole point of this conversation is how do kids who process differently survive in a conventional educational setting. My experience has been that my ds was able to access his education through typing rather than handwriting and trying to force him to become as proficient at handwriting would required an inordinate amount of time and effort that we decided would be better spent on other things. Similarly, my ds has mitochondrial disease which means that he doesn't form muscle like other kids his age. He would have to exercise 10 times as much as a "normal" 15 year old to get the same muscle tone. I could require him to spend his whole day exercising, or I could make sure he has a minimum amount of muscle so that he is functional and encourage him not to become a shot putter and use the extra time and effort to enhance other parts of him that have fewer limitations.

mrz · 05/04/2016 19:39

There are other posters on this thread including the OP and while I'm sure you have investigated what is best for your child there are other alternatives for it hers to explore.

SofiaAmes · 05/04/2016 21:21

Sorry it's just a bit of a button pusher for me. For years I've been told that if my dc's were told that if they just tried harder and worked harder they would do better. Slow processing kids are often described as lazy or not fulfilling their potential.....

mrz · 06/04/2016 06:27

It isn't about working harder it's about finding things that help each individual child and often trying anything and everything in search of things that help. Unfortunately there are people out there promoting "cures" for profit and it's sometimes difficult to know what's what.

Original poster
LovelyBath · 06/04/2016 11:07

Thanks people. I have been recommended a book I think from the SEN section of this site which I'll have a look at. Amazon reviews seem good, although it is a bit Americanised. I'm feeling a bit calmer now that I have a plan in place (to see the SENCO etc). and some ways of helping him.

I agree with taking care with people profiting from health conditions; I have a physical one myself and people try and sell cures etc. Not good.

OP posts:
Original poster
LovelyBath · 06/04/2016 11:07

PS yes I have had a teacher in year two ask me if I thought he was just lazy. Grr x

OP posts:
Original poster
LovelyBath · 06/04/2016 11:16

This it the book I have just received,

  • Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up: Help Your Child Overcome Slow Processing Speed and Succeed in a Fast-Paced World - by Ellen Braaten

I also got a Tony Buzan book on Mind Maps for children as I have used this technique myself in the past and wonder if it might help him too.

OP posts:
user789653241 · 06/04/2016 12:41

Mrz, you are spot on!

" it's about finding things that help each individual child and often trying anything and everything in search of things that help."

SofiaAmes · 06/04/2016 16:11

I also found the Myth of Laziness and A Mind at a Time by Dr. Mel Levine helpful.

Original poster
LovelyBath · 08/04/2016 22:45

Thanks Sofia x

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