She must have a learning problem, but where to now???
We have struggled with DD, 10, since 1st grade...
She picks up everything really really slowly, poor bugger, and she tries so hard, she just cant do it.
She has had in-school tutoring since 1st grade, twice a week, and all last year an hour a week outside of school too. And it doesn't help much.
Her reading and maths are SO below average.... and we have tried to show her all different ways, hoping to find the way that works for her, but no luck. She is so happy and sociable, they all love her to death. She is miss popular, so at least she hasn't been picked on "for being stupid", thank god.
But she has just this year and next, and she's off to high school.... and I'm scared for her.
Her teacher had me sign some papers to have her asessed at school for "a problem", and of course I did...just waiting....(eyesight and hearing are fine)
I sat with her last night for ages, and we only got through half of her work, and to do it all of it should really have been 15 min... she just doesn't "get it", at all..... I praised her hard for what she got right, and she went to bed sooo happy, but in reality, she did a bad job of it..... and my heart is breaking.....
Do we get more tutoring, and push harder, or accept she's just not bright accademically, and help her through till she finds something she likes??? She has often said she'd love to be a vet, and we know the chance are extrememly thin...so I told her about vet nursing at Tafe, and she thought that was good too...little darlin....
She is pretty clueless too... she knows she's a little behind, and needs some help, but has no idea she is failing so bad, she doesn't get it.
What do I do??? I am so scared for her future at high school... and I'm so so sad I cant seem to help her any more than we have. There is no magical cure so far.
I feel so stressed, and helpless for her, my heart is physically aching....
I really don't have any advice. It sounds a bit like she has just been swept along because she is great socially.
I know that one of our local high schools has a stream for slow kids who are not suitable (too advanced/capable) for a special school. Maybe check out what the local high schools in your area offer in that regard.
You sound like you are doing the best you can, I hope the school can help you a bit more with diagnosis and a way to hepl your girl.
She will go the follow- on Catholic High school, so I know they'll look after her learning wise , I worry about the social part there.....
And I just dont know what to do, now, to help her....
I actually have an open day at the high school soon, for my son who goes next year (, when did I get so damn old?), and might talk to someone there about what they will do with her, and what help they offer....
It is a really hard situation for families . . . it is good that you are aware that there is a concern though - having supportive parents is a BIG help to a child with a learning disability.
I assume the form you signed was for some testing to be done with the school Guidance Officer. GOs are also psychologists and will probably perform a range of tests including IQ, a questionaire that you, the class teacher and possibly GP will need to fill out, and anything else that seems necessary from issues raised with the GO by you or the teacher. They will have a look back over your DD's classwork and test results to see if any pattern is emerging. If the forms you signed weren't for an assessment with a GO or school psychologist, I would strongly suggest that you insist on one.
The GO looks for all sorts of different factors that could be contributing to your DD's apparent learning difficulties such as auditary processing (whether she is understanding the words being spoken to her), memory, comprehension etc. They will probably also look at social skills and how she is interacting with her peers and adults to check that these interactions are appropriate to rule out things like ASD.
After the psychologist has done an assessment, sometimes the info is sent back to your GP with a recommendation (as GPs need to be the diagnosing party for some things) and sometimes a psychologist can diagnose without going any further based on the results of the assessment they conduct. They will also try to establish the level of diagnosis - mild to severe (though usually done on a numbering system - it will be explained to you if it is necessary).
Once all this is done, if you DD is ascertained as having a learning disability a management plan will be put together. In Queensland state schools this is called and Individual Education Plan (IEP). You will be invited to a meeting with a special education teacher, your DD's classroom teacher, the GO, and any other stake holders that seem necessary to be there.
You all work together on making attainable goals for your DD as far as learning, socialising and any other area of development that comes out as being of concern (if she is having difficulty physically with anything this will be included).
Your DD should be assigned a Special Education teacher who will work with her classroom teacher and do some individual or small group activities with your DD in areas that need attention. They will be the main person, along with the classroom teacher, who will be responsible for your DD's IEP.
Having an assessment of learning disabilities is so much easier done in primary school - so the timing is great. At high school, if you DD receives a diagnosis, a similar procedure will be followed. High schools tend to shut parents out a bit more than primary schools (I don't want to scare you but you need to be aware) so you may have to fight harder to be apart of everything. I would also recommend that you find a small high school with a good reputation with small class sizes. She won't be so lost in the crowd then.
I don't know if this is the sort of info that you are after but that is the process in Qld schools and I think in most places it will be fairly similar. I could give you some specific advice on managing a learning disability, but there is such a vast range of issues that the best thing to do is wait till the assessments come back. The GO will be able to tell you the sorts of things you can do at home with DD that will help her out.
Anyway, I hope that helps and good luck with everything
Than k you so much!!! I think the assessmant is that one, or one very simular!!! She mentioned it could take awhile, but wanted all the paperwork done and ready....
Her high school is a great one, that would definatly encourage me, not push me out I dont think...
Socially and physically , she perfect. She is really bright about day to day stuff, and thinks she's quite clever!! She is quick witted and funny, but no school smarts if that makes sense?? Unless you seen her tests or asked her to read, you would never pick it, iykwim??
Don't know if this info helps at all (from what you described it sounds a bit like an Intellectual Impairment to me but I am not qualified to make diagnosis at all so don't quote me on that) but there is a link to info about Intellectual Impairment. If you look down the side menu there is also a list of other disabilities that you can have a look at. There are strategies for managing them outlined.
If it is that, the earlier that it is picked up and a management plan started for her learning, the better the long term outcomes will be. Having said that the same goes for anything that could be hindering her learning.
There still could be other things contributing to her having difficulty so it is best to go in with an open mind.
I really hope you get some answers soon and your DD is able to experience some successes at school (experiencing success is so important for kids or anyone). Good luck with everything.
What is she like if she doesn't have to look at a peice of paper? She sounds alot like my brother, who was diagnosed with dixlexia (sp?). He sucked at having to write anything down but if you asked him random times tables he'd be able to give you an answer straight out.
My parents did everything to try to help him. To the extent where he was going to tutoring every night after school. In the end they just felt horrible because he'd be getting home work from school and home work from tutoring and it's just wasn't fair, (and it wasn't realy helping) especially when they're so young!
He didn't have alot of problems at high school I don't think, as there are other courses they can do (he picked alot of hands on stuff) to sort of even the strain out.
And failing school hasn't impacted his working like at all. He left in year 10 and got an heavy duty deisel mechanic apprenticeship, he's only on his 3rd year but he's already earning more than I do
Thanks Teagz, this is sorta what I'm thinking... she is loves craft, animals, and girly fiddly things, and she actually loves reading, but finds it so hard to learn the words.... Her times table are really bad... she counts most on her fingers, except the easy 2,5,20 etc....she does a little better with props, we used cut oranges for fractions last night. But when you go back to it a few minutes later, we have to start all over again, its all gone.....
In Queensland 3 diagnostic criteria must be met in order to verify a diagnosis of Intellectual Impairment.
Intellectual Quotient (IQ) assessed as being below 70
Limitations in adaptive functioning
Onset before 18 years of age.
1. Assessment of Intellectual Functioning
One or more standardised, individually administered intelligence tests are used to achieve an Intelligence Quotient (IQ). In Queensland, most of these tests are conducted by Guidance Officers. Diagnoses by recognised medical specialists are also accepted.
Intellectual Impairment is considered when the result of an assessment indicates an IQ of about 70 or below. (At this stage additional information is required before a diagnosis is made)
I think we'll find this applies to her....
2. Adaptive Functioning
How well the student:
manages everyday tasks
meets the standards of independence expected of someone their age (in similar cultural and geographical contexts)3. Age of onset
I'm thinking dyslexia (oh the irony of the word!) could be a possibility too. My friends DD ended up with peachy coloured glasses to help the words stay still on the page.
She must have a learning problem, but where to now???
I praised her hard for what she got right, and she went to bed sooo happy, but in reality, she did a bad job of it..... and my heart is breaking.....
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you poor thing.
, when did I get so damn old?), and might talk to someone there about what they will do with her, and what help they offer....
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