Does my 6 year old have a learning difficulty

[Toomanyirons]

Hi, I am hoping for advice. My 6 year old boy got his second hearing test and I was told he will be a priority as clearly has learning difficulties. I was thrown a bit as not expecting to hear that. My son talks a lot and always on the go but always behaves at school. He is struggling with reading and lacks concentration. He also has absense seizures. The school tells me it may take 2 years before North Ayrshire Council would diagnose. Don't know if I can wait that long as now it has been raised I wan't to know. Any ideas on what to do next? Thanks

Who told you he clearly has learning difficulties? Unless it was a educational pyhc I would take it with a pinch of salt.

I have learning difficulties ( dyslexia) it didn't stop me getting a degree or a series of very specialist technical jobs.

I still can't spell for toffee!

Thanks. Yes it was consultant for his hearing and I was shocked when she said. He does struggle at school but so bright and clever in other ways

I think that really needs to come from a EP after they have assessed him. You can't tell from a hearing test I'm sure?

This may be totally wrong/not useful ... but have you heard of Ian Jordan ? Might be worth a visit.

I would speak with your Dr and get a diagnosis that way. I assume that the person who did the hearing test was from the NHS.

Beware information is readily shared between the "named person" / state guardian (who will be his head teacher) and doctors / medical records. It's all under the guise of "getting it right for every child" but really it means children in Scotland have no right to privacy.

What do the school say?

You have said in your post "he does struggle at school". Rephrase that and you could say "he has difficulty in learning".

Your first port of call is to speak to his teacher - maybe the SENCo at school and ask them how he is getting on and what they are doing to support him, and what you can do to support him. Also, if they feel he's just a little delayed or if they feel there might be something more that should be being investigated.