learning difficulties

[johnmum]

I was wondering whether anyone has any thoughts on the following. My son if 7 1/2 yrs his school has asked me to get him assessed for a learning difficulty (whatever that means) he teacher seems to think he may have very mild symptons of aspergers. Not sure what to do, do I leave it and accept it's just the way he is or do I attempt to find what his learning difficulty is .

Tanya

[pegasus]

Hi Tanya

I'm happy to talk to you about this a bit more as a pm if you'd like, but I'll put a bit of my 2c in here anyway. I'm an Occupational Therapist with about 12 years experience working with kids with learning difficulties and various diagnoses (including aspergers).

First note - beware the teachers who give you ideas of diagnoses without your child seeing a paediatrician. There are a multitude of ways that aspergers can show up and there are also heaps of signs that a child may exhibit which may be in common with aspergers, but are actually nothing to do with it. (By the way, in short, aspergers is on the continuum of autism).

If the teacher thinks that your son isn't coping at school as he may have some sort of learning difficulty, then I'd strongly recommend you take him somewhere for assessment, as regardless of the reason for the difficulties, the sooner you can assist him to find a more appropriate way to learn, the better. The majority of children who I see (diagnosed with some sort of learning difficulty) have normal or above average IQ's, the problem is usually that they need some help to understand what's going on in the classroom. For example, some kids learn better through what they hear, some kids learn better through what they see, and some kids learn better through what they do. Sometimes it's a matter of the teacher presents material mostly in (for example) a visual manner which means the kids who learn better through what they hear find it more difficult.

Anyway what I'm trying to say is that if your child does have a learning difficulty then it might be something you can work with him to find better ways for him to learn, and it may not be permanent, so I'd definitely suggest getting things checked out - you certainly don't have to accept that it's 'just him'

cheers and good luck

[johnmum]

Thanks for your reply, I have since made an appointment with the doctor to get a referral. Ben does do pretty well in class has mainly problems with more the social side of school and also as the teacher says "zoning out" to what goes on around him. Ben was having occuptional therapy in Melbourne so I think I will try and find that here where I live now. Thanks for all the information, hopefully we will be able to get an appointment in the not to distant future.

Tanya :)

[li'l mac]

Hi there, I work in special ed, specifically learning difficulties, so if you would like to pm me please do so, I'd be more than happy to try and help more. Good luck with the appointment, and truly, don't take someones observational assessment of your son too seriously until you get it checked out.

[sam's mum]

My daughter has asperger's - and it is well worth getting them diagnosed so that they can get extra assistance and training. She has always done well in her school work but has a lot of trouble socially. this has improved incredibly since we have started additional counselling and programs to help her understand social situations and emotions. One thing that I did notice on a course we were on (adults and kids) is that there is a huge spectrum for asperger's with some kids having more trouble than others.

Good luck :fingerscrossed:

[Kimbles]

I think my daughter has some sort of learning problem, and have spoken to the school numerous times but they say she is fine. I think they dont even know because they don't pay attention. how do I go about getting her assessed out of the school? She is going into high school next year and This has gone on long enough. I have been trying to teach her basic things at home but she just cant grasp basic concepts. Her brother is in year 4 and is way ahead, I know they are different but I really feel something is very wrong and getting worse. Her spelling and maths has gone backwards over the past 2 years. I have no idea where to start? Sorry for highjacking your thread but it seems there are a few people in the know on here! any help would be soooooooooooo appreciated!!!

[BigRedV]

I am a teacher and can not imagine evr telling a parent I though their child had a, b or c without consulting with the school counsellor or getting the child tested first???

I always put n referrals for a child to get tested if there are any signs...

[*Cj*]

This is from 2006. Kimbles I think you would be best starting a new thread.