First grader doesn't fit in standard curriculum

[Anonymous]

My son, who just turned 7, is not your usual first-grader. He loves antique mechanical devices like locks & glass doorknobs, skeleton keys, manual typewriters, and other mechanical stuff--he has a growing collection of these things.. He loves exploring forts and castles and old houses with wood-burning stoves. He loves learning about medieval life and colonial life and everything in between. He spends a lot of time drawing his own similar inventions and has taken apart many old machines to see how they work.

Problem is, he hates handwriting and worksheets and is very slow getting his work done in the classroom. Not because he's not smart but because he just doesn't care about it. He would rather be learning about his "old stuff." He's been slow to read and write, although we know he has the aptitude for it. We often play math games with time and the ages of things (subtracting one year from another to learn the age). We know he's above average in congnitive skills and logic. He also has adult-like verbal skills. Its just those darn worksheets!!!

So we're exploring alternative schools. Anyone with ideas on schools in lower Montgomery County (Silver Spring, Burtonsville, Takoma Park) or NE DC, please lend your advice.

By the way, he's not in the public school system, he's at a private church-related school.

[Anonymous]

Try a Waldorf school

[Anonymous]

lowell school?

[Anonymous]

maybe montessori...Evergreen?

[Anonymous]

Green Acres

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son, who just turned 7, is not your usual first-grader. He loves antique mechanical devices like locks & glass doorknobs, skeleton keys, manual typewriters, and other mechanical stuff--he has a growing collection of these things.. He loves exploring forts and castles and old houses with wood-burning stoves. He loves learning about medieval life and colonial life and everything in between. He spends a lot of time drawing his own similar inventions and has taken apart many old machines to see how they work.

Problem is, he hates handwriting and worksheets and is very slow getting his work done in the classroom. Not because he's not smart but because he just doesn't care about it. He would rather be learning about his "old stuff." He's been slow to read and write, although we know he has the aptitude for it. We often play math games with time and the ages of things (subtracting one year from another to learn the age). We know he's above average in congnitive skills and logic. He also has adult-like verbal skills. Its just those darn worksheets!!!

So we're exploring alternative schools. Anyone with ideas on schools in lower Montgomery County (Silver Spring, Burtonsville, Takoma Park) or NE DC, please lend your advice.

By the way, he's not in the public school system, he's at a private church-related school.

Have you had him evaluated in any way? Maybe he has a simple issue with pencil grip or a minor LD that manifests around writing. Don't wait till he's older to find out - the best help is the earliest help. Have him evaluated - the school should be able to help but if they won't there are MANY place to have this done. Knowing his real abilities and strengths as well as possible issues will be invaluable to choosing his ultimate school placement and could make all the difference in the world to him.

[Anonymous]

You need to have him evaluated for Aspergers Syndrome, a high functioning autistic spectrum disorder. The deep interest in obscure things is a big red flag as is the poor handwriting, the verbal skills. My son has Aspergers and everything you are saying rings bells with me. My son will learn everything there is to know about a subject he is interested in -- will understand it way beyond his years -- but if he doesn't care about it, it isn't going to happen for him.

You need to find out if he has this before you decide on the proper school. Knowing (if he does have Aspergers) will allow you to get him what he needs and the earlier the better.

[Anonymous]

I went to the Washington Waldorf School's open house info session (today was the observation session but I couldn't go) and I think it is a school you should take a look at. No all children that interested in "different" things have Aspergers and Waldorf makes a note of that. If your child is not the product of watching tv all day or playing video games it is worth to go ahead and continue fostering this difference. Check Waldorf and may be Green Acres.

[Anonymous]

22:34 PP here. Of course OP's DC doesn't necessarily have Aspergers. But there are enough red flags there that she should get him evaluated. If he does have it, a progressive school like Waldorf or green Acres would be a disaster. Those schools may be fine for neurotypical kids, and for certain kids they might really be terrific, but kids with Aspergers need a lot of structure, clearer expectations, and support that these schools don't provide.

Of course not all children with different interests have Aspergers, I was reacting to the total picture this Mom presented. When you do have a child with Aspergers, you don't foster their special interests, which only isolate and hamper them, you use the special interests to build bridges to broader understandings and social experiences. It is a whole approach that I wouldn't expect parents of typical kids to get or pay attention to -- fortunately you don't have to -- but I can tell you that any parent of a child with Aspergers would recognize a first grader's interest in locks and glass doorknobs. Huge red flag.

I should add that my son is doing terrifically at his small, highly structured, private school. he is a very successful student, has lots of friends, and is a really happy kid who gives us tremendous joy. Its all about finding the right setting for your child.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has sensory processing disorder and has difficulties with her fine motor skill - we are in OT. You should get him tested, as it is very common. She is 4 and cannot draw a circle because she is unable to cross her midline.

[Anonymous]

Obsessive interests aren't only characteristic of children with Aspergers -- it's also a trait of exceptionally gifted children. Her son may not be thrivig in his school because they aren't able to challenge him enough to stay interested.

Either way, he needs to be in a school that will suit him. So an evaluation is necessary.

[Anonymous]

Aspergers kids not infrequently *are* exceptionally gifted in a couple of areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aspergers kids not infrequently *are* exceptionally gifted in a couple of areas.

Yes, I know. But my point was that the child might be exceptionally gifted WITHOUT Aspergers.