My nephew was like this. He tried automotive school but there was still studying which he really disliked. He eventually got his CDL. According to my SIL, he is very happy driving. He bought his first house on his own in his mid-20s so he has done well for himself.

You could investigate construction trades. There’s a real shortage of skilled workers.

Has he considered the police academy?

At the same time, I think kids with ADHD and LD are capable of succeeding in college and an office setting if that’s what they want to do. My DD has ADHD and my son LD and both excelled.

The problem with going into trades because of AI is that tons of people are making the same calculation. The flood of labor will drive down the high salaries that make trades appealing.

He’s only 15. You’ve got time.

A trade for sure. I'd like to see AI fix an AC unit in a heatwave! Or unclog a pipe.

Not discouraging the trades but there are other jobs where you aren’t in an office.
My brother with adhd loves teaching — he is up and moving and talking all day.
A lot of trial lawyers have adhd — with the dyslexia law school and the bar might be a slog but it is doable particularly if he goes to an easier school. Stuff like criminal law doesn’t typically require a ton of reading (unless you’re doing financial crimes) and those folks are on their feet all the time. The ability to see through BS, make persuasive arguments on the spot, respond to changing dynamics is more important than memorization or reading dense material.

I’m sure there are others like this but that’s what I have experience with. I think the most important thing is to find something he finds fun because then it will all be easier.

^ and construction management and plumbing. I forgot about those.

My kid is going into the trades and looked into several fields. He is also a terrible speller but not dyslexic. What we found, when he’s very into something he can focus very well and will do much better with the program he’s about to enter.

15 is still young but over the next 2-3 years go to some of the open houses and have your son see what he may be interested in doing. That’s going to be better than reading about it. The PP also gives really good advice about other areas besides trades and college.

I’d encourage him to get a PT job anywhere, to see how he likes working. He might have to wait until he’s 16. My son had a terrible time memorizing things for school but no problem for his job. There was motivation there.

My kid looked into becoming an electrician, hvac, auto mechanic, airline mechanic and many different tech programs in the area of computers before deciding on a program.

Anonymous wrote:Don't think there isn't memorization in trades! Just look at all the code rules that electricians have to learn.

To get into a good trades program you need solid school performance and a track record of reliability. I would suggest he get a paid job to demonstrate that. He'll learn a lot by it. Doesn't matter what the job is.

As the parent of two kids in trade fields, one of whom struggles with reading and memorizing, here's my experience. You can demonstrate reliability through good attendance at school and after school and summer jobs. The memorization comes when it is within the field they are working in - and it's so interesting to watch it happen. It's almost like they internalize it and don't have to memorize and all of a sudden you are having conversations about the specs of your roof and how different materials affect the energy usage and things you never cared to know.

Agree that showing reliability is important. Also agree that a clean driving record and never failing a drug test are so important. Can't emphasize this enough. Depending on the trade, a CDL is a great hook and leaves a lot of options open.


I also wanted to add that there are a lot of other options besides the trades and college. I know so many people whose kids have made successful careers in bar tending, healthcare - like staffing in rehabs, eldercare and disability programs, running kitchens in schools and nursing homes, working in public works (where you get the great governmental benefits and can move up into higher level positions after you get your foot in the door), working in grocery stores and moving up to specialize in departments, and so many other things. I don't think DCUM is very well versed in employment opportunities outside of what you can do with a college education so you might want to consider other resources.

Other priorities for trades: a driver's license with a decent driving record, and never failing a drug test.

I had a student who mirrors your own this year. His goal is to be a firefighter, but getting a degree first (apparently it makes it easier to be hired). I’m not sure the degree itself matters much, but he’s pursuing business. The kid is a natural salesman, so if firefighting fails he’ll have a good plan B as an entrepreneur.

I think just keep talking about different options including trades as well as college degrees that lead to non-desk job (structural engineering comes to mind.) The most important thing is that it appeals to him.

Anonymous wrote:Don't think there isn't memorization in trades! Just look at all the code rules that electricians have to learn.

To get into a good trades program you need solid school performance and a track record of reliability. I would suggest he get a paid job to demonstrate that. He'll learn a lot by it. Doesn't matter what the job is.

Thanks. if there's a reason for memorization he'll struggle through it and make it work. He's a hard worker and a solid student.

Anonymous wrote:Golf Course Superintendent.

Great pay. Vehicle. Sometimes housing is provided on the jobs. The Disney course Supers get nice housing.

Lake City Community College in Fl
Penn State
Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture
There are others.

My husband is dyslexic. This is the path he took. It served him well.

Fascinating, thank you!

Golf Course Superintendent.

Great pay. Vehicle. Sometimes housing is provided on the jobs. The Disney course Supers get nice housing.

Lake City Community College in Fl
Penn State
Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture
There are others.

My husband is dyslexic. This is the path he took. It served him well.

Don't think there isn't memorization in trades! Just look at all the code rules that electricians have to learn.

To get into a good trades program you need solid school performance and a track record of reliability. I would suggest he get a paid job to demonstrate that. He'll learn a lot by it. Doesn't matter what the job is.

DS is 15 and very smart in many ways and will always be a slow reader and terrible speller and has trouble memorizing arbitrary-seeming information. But he has an amazing vocabulary, is a great problem solver, and will identify weaknesses in an argument and logically explain why his position is right, although I don't love this as his mom lol. He doesn't want a desk job. Given the grim landscape for recent college grads and the rise of AI, he would rather go to trade school than college but isn't sure yet. I always dreamed of him going to college and want to keep preparing him for that, but I really don't know if that's the best option. Thoughts?