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Need opinion about my 8 year old son

5 replies

annaseal · 05/09/2012 13:31

Hi, I was always a silent reader in this forum. I really like mumsnet and thought I would discuss with you about my 8 year old son today. From his childhood he was very advanced in reading. No way I am saying he is super intelligent etc, but he always had very good reading skill, comprehension skill, very very curious on everything, picked up things of his interest very easily and had the knack of applying anything he will learn where ever he can. He would love to rhyme and would rhyme with any thing anytime. I must also mention he is privately educated from his childhood and is in the best prep school of the locality which he started from year 3 through selective entry.

So far so good. Now his dark sides: He was always too stubborn, very loud and vocal. Too slow, so still cannot finish any task on time. At 8 years of age he still cannot carry on concentrating on a single subject for long, if he is not interested. He can go on and on conversing for things which interests him. Can become very frustrated when he becomes bored and starts throwing arms and legs, cry etc etc. As a result his grades suffer a lot. Teachers ever since he started school complained him to be inattentive and chatty, would majority of the time have very bad handwriting if asked to hurry up and finish task on time. Though chatty, he will not be the one to start a conversation. But always teachers said and admitted he has great potential.

It is very difficult to discipline him as he is very very emotional.

I have made an appointment with Dr Peter Congdon so he can assess him and suggest ways of dealing his behavioural issues. I do feel he is underachieved in school because of his behaviour. He cannot understand if asked not to do something he should not do it. My relation with him goes downhill as soon as the school term starts and I am paranoid again as the school's reopening.

Anybody who is familiar with this sort of behavioural issues? I would appreciate any suggestions.

OP posts:
PipinJo · 05/09/2012 14:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

annaseal · 06/09/2012 09:43

Thanks PipinJo. I have reposted this in the G&T section as well now.

OP posts:
Ineedaflippinmedal · 06/09/2012 16:09

My Dd1 was assessed by Peter Congdon and yes he is very thorough, he told us that she was gifted, he advised us about her lefthandedness and wrote a very thorough report which her school completely ignored.

He did completely miss the Aspergers/ ADHD though.

What a you hoping to gain from seeing him?? Sorry if that sounds blunt but I didnt know how else to put it. If you want him to give you ideas to help you and your Ds then dont hold your breath. He only recommended that Dd1 was accelerated by 2 years at school as she is an autumn birthday but this was totally inappropriate due to her imature social/emotional skills.

I would consider seeing a developmental paediatrician to rule out ASD.

troutpout · 06/09/2012 16:59

I'm seeing a couple of similarities between your boy and mine. Ds also very early reader ( he somehow taught himself from about 3 years old)
At secondary school we were told his literacy and comprehension scores were amazing.However his difficulties in other areas mean he struggles are huge.
He has a dx of Hfa/aspergers and dyspraxia
He was always very willing to put lots of effort and interest into his obsessions... But found it nigh on impossible to concentrate and do anything he's wasnt interested in. It takes work .... A lot of work to make him see any value in it or even comply. He works very slowly at times like this.
He hated writing..still does but realises he has to do it.. Can't see the point in writing what he already knew for someone else's benefit . Soooo slow and the dyspraxia is added complication to writing.

He doesn't act up or lash out...he is not emotional.... He is withdrawn and barely speaks at school...so in this way he is not like your boy.

I have no experience of the guy you have an appointment with... But might be worth ruling out other possible conditions? Asd? ADHD ?
I hope you get some help with your little chap

annaseal · 07/09/2012 09:52

Yesterday in the parents meeting (a general one) the school confessed even though all the students are bright(due to selective entry) but few can have special requirements which they promised they will cater for. I am really surprised as last year the approach was totally different. They got a new headmaster this year.

I am hopeful as a result now. I hope they will give importance to the report of Dr Peter Congdon and if anything come up they will look into it.

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