Have conference with teacher - DS not getting work completed in school - need strategies/testing?
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Anonymous
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My son is 9, 3rd grade. He had some fine/gross motor issues identified before Pre-K. I went through testing within DC (Early Intervention) and he did not meet the level of deficiency to warrant services. We did private OT for K, then to OT camp for 2 summers. His handwriting has been a challenge- getting him to get his thoughts on paper is hard as he gets fatigued. I've been getting a handwriting tutor for him after school and that helps somewhat.
Today we went in to school for a "publishing party". Teacher had mentioned to me that DS was typing his work on the computer so that he would be able to get the work into the books that were on display for the party. We walked in this morning... his book is empty. He hadn't been able to complete the tasks of printing (which requires a teacher to email the work to herself, log in to a differnet computer and then print) and then cutting/pasting into his book. So it was a mad scamble this morning to get something in the book. I wasn't told he wasn't finished, so when I got to school with him, I helped but it was completed as the party was ending. Then I look around and he's the only child without a "hope and dream" completed and taped above his cubby. I asked about that and was told "oh, he's still laminating and cutting it out". I told the teacher I was upset... if he's not finishing work, we will come in early, we will stay late, send it home and we will do it there... but don't just let it sit there unfinished! Clearly. this is more than just a poster on the wall or a poem in a book... he's struggling to complete work on time and I want to partner to help him. We are meeting tomorrow. What can/should we do? Does he need testing to see if there's something else? He does his homework every night with me... math takes him no time at all (I make him slow down so his answers are legible). Writing is a struggle... he can dictate the concepts to me and his answers are great but he can't get them down on paper - he gets tired and frustrated. He reads at or above level. Any suggestions are welcome.. I will do whatever he needs but I am not even sure where to start. What can the school offer to help? What can we do at home? What can the teacher put in place? She seems very caring but I wish she'd have let me know that his work wasn't complete... |
Anonymous
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Hi there I can understand you were disappointed about your son's book being empty. This is good place to really listen to your son's teacher on how he performs tasks in school. My advice, go in softly and listen. Ask some open ended questions. "How would you describe kids engagement during school day?", "What parts of the day are the most challenging for kids attention?" and "what types of tasks seem to be the most challenging for kid" Use this project as way to find out how things are going otherwise. A busy work cut and paste into a book for display is really not the end of the world and I share that as a mom of a child with written expression disorder (dysgraphia and ADHD). Don't go in leading about being upset about the book.
Based on her answers I'd try to see if this issues do merit more attention professionally. I had my son tested FCPS and they found no issues with written expression. After 2 years of struggle, I had private testing done and then I had all the backup I needed for IEP and more support/accomodations. Sounds like the stuff you do at home with him really helps. Maybe he needs some of that to happen in school day. Good luck to you and take this conflict as gift it is to open the door to more dialogue about your child. |
Anonymous
This is OP - thank you for responding. You are 100% correct that my concerns are not at all about the book - that in itself is not the issue but instead may be the manifestation of other things, as you mentioned. Your questions are good ones and I am taking them as notes to bring with me. I will listen more than I speak, but am curious as to all the same questions you mentioned. What types of testing can we do for written expression issues? I am happy to do private testing but don't even know where to start. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| I might consider ADHD |
Anonymous
| I think that's disgraphia |
Anonymous
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If he is not completing work in 3rd grade, I would take him for a full neuropsych eval which can diagnose ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc as well as test for achievement level and IQ. PARCC testing is coming so I may wait until those results come out to see if a neuropsych is warranted.
My DS, 9 in 4th grade, who has ASD/ADHD and a LD in written expression diagnosed by a neuropsych eval and an IEP was taught to type in second grade by the school OT and uses a computer for all writing. Gets additional supports for writing by the Sp Ed teacher, use of graphical organizers, etc. He actually likes to write now and writes above grade level at this point. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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That's terrible, OP!
I would immediately pull the principal into this. The teacher's behavior shows that you need to go over her head - that she's not willing to do the basic work of making sure your DS gets his work done, and letting you know that is it a problem. You're right that you'll probably need to get a private neuropsych to figure this out, but even without that there are basic supports that can be put into place in the classroom right now to help, or at least to see if they can help. The principal should pull in other school support specialists (psychologist, special ed coordinator) to take a look at what is going on. Again, even without any type of diagnosis, or even without invoking the legal process for 504/IEPs, it is basic best practices for a school to identify and support kids with these types of issues. |
Anonymous
| I have a son with similar challenges. Definitely get him tested! I recommend private if you can afford it. |
Anonymous
| This is OP. I do think testing is the place to start. Neuropsych? Any recommendations? Thank you all so much. I think today was just the wake up call I needed to recognize there's more going on here than just bad handwriting and whatever that leads us to, at least we can get a plan in place. |
Anonymous
| oh, and to 11:44 - I did see the principal (happened to be passing her office and she was in there). She and I have a very good relationship and so I just kind of went in and asked her if I could cry in there for 5 mins. She heard me out, agreed that we need to explore further, etc. I did speak with the teacher and we are meeting on Friday. This morning was not the time to engage with the teacher on the issues- she had a room full of parents - but I will meet with her Friday. I know she wants to help - we will all get there. |
Anonymous
| I would get them screened for ADD. My son sounds a lot like yours and in second grade he was diagnosed ADD inattentive type. He is doing so much better now with medicine. |
Anonymous
+ 100 OP, this was exactly how my son presented in 2nd grade and we had a neuropsych done. He was diagnosed with inattentive ADD. |
Anonymous
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You are describing my son. It was the beginning of 3rd grade that the teacher asked me how much my DS typically writes and I shared that it had been a struggled for the last 2 years. She said - send a note to the student support services coordinator and request an evaluation. Even if you do private for your assessment, get the clock started at your school.
Here is a draft email I used. I spoke with _____ regarding the recent assignment for writing for my son _____ . She mentioned that he continues to have challenges with getting his ideas onto paper. Given this current observation, I am requesting that _(insert name of school)_ perform a educational evaluation and an OT evaluation for _____. Is there anything I need to do to initiate this? Thanks, |