She must have a learning problem, but where to now???

We have struggled with DD, 10, since 1st grade...:cry:

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.....:cry: 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. :doh:


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.... :cry:

:hug: you poor thing.

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.

All the best.

Thanks honey, I need hugs!!!

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....:doh:

I actually have an open day at the high school soon, for my son who goes next year (:o, 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 :hug:

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??


I guess its a waiting game....

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.

Intellectual Impairment - Teaching and Learning

This is an Ed Qld document so the specific procedure stuff won't apply to your situation but the info about the different disabilities will.

Hope that helps . . .

Thank you so much babe!!!!

I *think* this is what the teacher wants to test for, but didn't want to actually say the words, but's kinda what i thought she meant....

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 :rolleyes:

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.

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.....:cry:

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

But this doesnt at all....

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.

I am dyslexic.

I still check my hand for left and right, I cant wear heels and mathematically - well lets just say that calculators are my bestest friends. But I was soooo adamant I was going to read and write that I focused wholly and solely on that. Despite that I will still leave out words here and there and you will find them - up to half sentences - sitting in the most random spot 2 to 3 paragraphs later.

I found reading light writing on dark backgrounds helped me a lot. The other way round I could read something 15 times and still not remember a word of what I read because it didnt make sense.

Maths just doesn't stick at all - I just can't get it. My sister spent ages explaining algebra to me in several different ways - even got me to do equations and the like. With her help I got 93% right. Doing it myself a day later, I failed gloriously.

Just a bit of background from one to see if there is anything similar.

My brother is a step worse - dyspraxic. He started teaching himself how to read and write when he was about 17 because he wanted to write a novel. He has written part one already. So even if its hard for her now, the right motivator for her later can have the most amazing effects.

I don't have any advice for you honey, but just a great big hug. You are doing really in handling the situation and how hard it must be for you, i can only imagine.

If you DD has been struggling since grade 1, then why have they (the school) left it until now to do some testing?? They are the specialists, they would have seen her struggle in the first year and done some testing then. I think they have left it too late. If they had diagnosed her problem back then, she'd be well on her way in catching up.

I hope i haven't offended you in any way.

xxoo

You haven't offended me hon...

She has only been slightly behind till now, and the extra tutoring from the school kept her caught up. She had improved to the point she is at now, but year 5 work just now eludes her. She has kinda hit a standstill, and cant seem to grasp anything new. Her reading and maths all at least improved with the extra help, but seems to of stopped now.

So instead of just "catching up" with all the extra help, she is now quickly going downhill. They picked it up towards the end of term 1, and got me straight into the school for an interview and to sign the forms. So her current teacher is at least on the ball!;)

It's nice to know that you have a teacher who actually cares about your child's progress and is working for them to achieve their best.

Hope you get answers and some actions real soon.

No advice, but its great to see a teacher who is on the ball in picking it up and trying her best to help the problem. Thankfully her school doesnt sound anything like my Nephews school.

I hope you find a solution and she goes on her way to be what she wants to be

I am going through the same scenario!
I don?t think that you should ?accept that she is not bright academically?, she may be very intelligent??but?.she may have trouble perceiving or interpreting the information she is given.
My daughter seems very very clueless too. My description is that ?she is a real BLONDE??.and it is like she doesn?t even realise it, or doesn?t care. But?.My bet is that she does! I have found that my daughter blocks it out?or switches off?..this is easier for her to deal with things.
I encourage you to agree to any tests the school offers (if it helps assess her performance and potential in learning).
Imagine having to work twice as hard?or three times harder than your classmates?? to understand a simple piece of information. Imagine sitting in the classroom when everyone else finished the task 5 minutes ago and you can?t even comprehend the print?..you havn?t even made a mark on your page. You have no idea why you are not as smart as the others??but this happens so often in class that you just accept you can?t do it, and hope your peers don?t notice?If they do ?.what will they think???who will want to sit next to you??..will they want to be friends with a dummy?.....and what if the teacher makes the usual comment ?time to packup? and everyone looks around to see who hasn?t finished.
My experience sounds similar to yours??.
My DD is 8,
She is miss popular, she is everybody?s friend (any age?and even boys), but has trouble learning anything at school..if at all.
You would not know there was a problem until you saw homework time at home?.or asked her to read or do a simple sum.
DD is good at sports, can hold conversations with her peers and adults, never has a problem making friends. She is very creative and loves to paint, draw, create concoctions etc. She loves to do everything other 8 year old girls do, sing?.dance?play imaginary games. But ask her a simple sum, how to spell an easy word etc?..she is a blank slate.
She has had problems since she began school. She didn?t manage to learn the basic building blocks, and therefore has had trouble ever since.
Her reading and maths are below average, at the start of this year she was at the Prep level of reading, but after changing schools and getting her into ?reading recovery (this is at a Victorian school) she has improved a lot.
In Victoria, my daughter has just had the WISC-IV (Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children) This measures the general thinking and reasoning skills of kids 6-16 years. The total score for this test tells you where your child sits against the average of a group of kids the same age.


I can keep going .....but if you want to talk more....let me know
Britt