Any teachers about?

[TobysAunt]

I am pulling my hair out about DS aged 10 in Yr 5. He is behind but I don't think way behind. But things I have noticed are: really struggles to comprehend written or verbal information, even really simple stuff seems to throw him and he has a memory of a goldfish. I am teaching him time at the moment and it's like he's never seen a clock, everything is a massive up hill struggle when it comes to teaching. An example, the school sent home some sheets x and / decimals by 10, 100 and 1000. He just could not get how to do it even when we went over and over it. Or he'd get it, then we'd change to divide from x and he would do it wrong again. He constantly forgets his time tables.

He is forever saying he doesn't understand things.

His reading is OK if he uses a reading ruler otherwise he skips lines.

The school have said they have concerns and just keep telling us to do extra work they send home but I can't help feeling there is a reason.

Have any of you had a child like this in your class. Was it a learning problem, a phase or immaturity? Does any of this flag up anything to you?

I find it so frustrating. So does he.

That's so good to hear TeenTimesTwo. I am academic so I struggle to get it.

To answer some questions:
His handwriting is appalling. The teacher keeps sending practice home but he says his wrist hurts. I have had that checked by a physio.

The SENCO is experienced but I don't know much else. I will try and speak to her about an Ed psych review.

One more thing, he can tell me the ins and outs of a film plot months after watching it which totally contradicts what happens at school. But I would say, it's only where the plot is a super hero type film which all have similar good vs bad themes. Having said that he has I depth understanding of star wars which is more complex I suppose.

And, the above has made us at times wonder if he is having us all on a bit. Is it a case of just not being interested in school work?

Films are visual, not reading, and tend not to have overly complex dialogue.
DD1 often prefers to watch films with subtitles on, as it helps her process the words.

dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/ might be a good place to start.

One thing we found was the SENCO at secondary was more skilled than at primary, plus things become more obvious the older they get. So even if you get no joy at primary, push again on entering y7.

I would consider teaching him to touch type over the summer holidays (various online free things around). Then asking / providing a small inexpensive notebook/laptop for use in school. Note however that doing maths/science online is pretty hard/impossible, so keeping up with writing for them would be helpful.

Touch typing was great for dyspraxic DD1, but at the moment we have stopped laptop use for DD2 as it was more trouble for her than benefit.

You know when you ask a question and there's a long silence? And then you want to prompt? Apparently that's a bad thing to do, as they are just about getting there processing and then you interrupt and they have to start all over again. So you have to wait way longer than you think. (I'm still pretty hopeless at this).

I have done maths / writing with one or other of my DDs every summer holidays since forever it seems. 30 - 60 mins a day for 6 weeks can help things improve and stop summer backsliding.

If you want to, you can PM me your email address and I can email you a word document we were given when we finally got DD1's dyspraxia diagnosis. It has loads of strategies, (most of which we were already doing and I didn't realise were related).

Thank you TeenTimesTwo. I am sorry to hear you have children with the same issues but my goodness it's good to know I am not the only one. I have gone round and round wondering what I might have done wrong. I have never been pushy which is a rarity in SW London but I have sometimes thought I should have been.

We have to apply for secondary in October. I will try and meet the SENCOs at all 3 local schools to see who might be the most helpful. We have an equal chance of all of them so it might decide which I put first.

Hi I have a 10 year old son with ADHD (Inattentive) and now UK confirmed dyslexia but currently overseas . We haven’t had a great year 5 due to miscommunication problems (international school). My biggest price of advice would be to get an assessment done urgently especially if going to secondary soon. I had an assessment done in year 2 but I think because my son was very good at compensating the dyslexia issues were masked.

I wish I had got the UK one done sooner but hindsight is always good. We paid privately £300 if this is an option for you.

Also a lot of these kids have strong underlying strengths and being able to explain to your son that he might find this difficult but he’s very good at something else is very valuable.

Feel free to PM me