Confused on how to help my ds with learning issues

[Alein]

I'm new to mumsnet and was hoping someone might be able to advise/reassure me about my ds 6. He is in year 1 and his teacher says he is not making enough progress. His main issues seem to be that he cannot complete a task on his own. After the class has been instructed by the teacher he seems unable to understand how to proceed unless the TA helps him. She says his work does not match his ability. He can read really well and spelling ok. Maths is also weak (barely average). Writing legibility is okay but content can be mixed up and not coherent. Socially he is a lovely, lovable boy and enjoys playing with others.

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Thank you for your bump, replies and welcome!
At home his concentration varies depending on what he is doing. He can follow lego instructions independently and can work on these for a long time. He can draw (but it's quite immature) and will draw if asked and finish a drawing. But he wouldn't spend ages on it! He is very easily distracted and fidgety. At home he never chooses to do crafting, drawing or doodling etc. He wouldn't ask for a story unless it's bedtime. He much prefers physical play and mainly toys like lego, cars, remote control stuff,swords etc.
He takes ages to eat sometimes but he does eat well and is not picky. He sleeps really well but normally has to be woken up if it's a school morning. He is often very tired in the mornings.

We've tried to help him with his maths. He finds it very difficult to understand and just doesn't seem to get 'numbers' and the patterns in them. If he does catch on to something, he will inevitably forget it by the next day.

His teacher has met with us (DH and I) and have said what their concerns are. Their main strategy seems to be to start him off on tasks with a TA and then attempt to leave him to carry on by himself. They've aired their concerns but do not seem to know what the cause is. There has been no mention of involving senco yet.
Today I made an appointment with our GP just in case we need hearing or similar checked out.

DH and I are going to arrange another meeting for the first week back after hols to find out how he has been getting on since our last parents eve.

Hello, has the school tried visual aids? My ds has a visual timetable. For tasks he has something on his desk that tells him what he has to do now and what he has to do next. The school also know ds needs additional help if working in groups as he finds it difficult to concentrate but is ok when working pairs. Noise is also a problem for my ds. With an understanding teacher my ds is beginning to become more I independent in the classroom, he is 6. The school need to start supporting your ds.

Thanks tacal, this is reassuring to know. Hopefully my ds might be able to move on at some point with the right things in place. I like the idea of a task sheet of some kind. Is this pictures or a list of steps to follow?

The school say that my ds does much better with visual prompts which are usually pictures. The teacher described it as a little board with a picture of what he does now and a picture of what he does next. The visual timetable is pictures that are hanging up in the classroom that ds can refer to it if he needs to.

They also do a lot of social stories for my ds that have photos or pictures on them. They help him with new things he has to do. If he is struggling with a new routine they will prepare a social story for him and read it to him every day. Sometimes they give him a copy home so I can read it to him every night. It is amazing the difference social stories can make when they are read every day.

Hopefully the school will have some good ideas of what will help your ds. He is still young so you shouldnt worry too much. Even though my ds is making progress I think he still needs prompting from the t/a.

Thanks tacal. I can talk about these when I next meet with his teacher.