ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disability!!!

[BC-MAV]

WOW! How's that for a bunch of concerns for DS? DS is in a academically accelerated school in 1st grade (6 1/2 years old) and tested high on IQ tests recquired for entrance into this school and the others that are part of the ISAS system. He has been doing well acadmeically in math, science, and reading where is he is 2 grades above level. Socially he is average and tends to play with non agressive boys and outgoing girls and he has a few friends. Athletically he is fair.... enjoy some... but not great. Fine motor he can build anything with Legos or Kinex but he has trouble with writing and pincer grip and has been getting OT once a week for 30 minutes in school. His writing has improved but he still needs work on formation and it takes him a long time to write a sentence.

The main concern is that he is easily distracted and has trouble focusing on areas where is not that interested: dressing, bathing, writing, large group sports, to name a few. I don't know if this is because he is bored or ADD. I have noticed a few fidgeting behaviors like standing while eating, flapping arms during an exciting movie, talking with hands, etc... but I don't know if this is just being a 6 year old or ADHD. Now he reads above grade level but has never asked what a word was and sometimes skips over big words or substitutes a word and he writes a few letters backwards. I wonder if this is just normal or perhaps dyslexia as his father and grandfather had it. Also I wonder if he has a learning dysability or is it just normal stuff for a 1st grader.

We go to conference this week so any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[BC-SgtMom]

Mav,

Sorry I have no experience in this area. What has he been evaluated for in the past? Does he need a new eval? I believe the school district is reponsible for the evals and tx, so I hope he gets the help he needs. Unless it is all just normal behavior, of course! Maybe he is just easily distracted...? I have no idea - sorry. Maybe someone else here has experience with this...

Take care,
Kate

[BC-MAV]

He has been evaluated by a psychologist for IQ (testing is recquired for entrance to ISAS school), another psychologist for IQ (recquired of all Pre-K students going into K at the school) and both tests indicated he is gifted. He was also evaluated by the same psychologist the school uses to assess his reading level in Pre-K which was at near 2nd grade level because the teachers thought he was "memorizing" books. Also he has been evaulated by the OT who own the OT company for gross motor skills and fine motor skills. The public schools here have been taken over by the state and various organziations because they were failing so no one send their kids to public schools unless they have to. So I am not sure what "school district" would do evaluations. It could be normal distraction or something else. The teachers didn't say anything. I guess they feel it is normal at this point and could improve but if it doesn't improve his not focusing will affect his academics. So perhaps at the end of 1st grade we will test... maybe in a few months... I don't know....

[ms_sea]

Okay MAV....here is my educated two cents......Most very bright boys have difficulty sitting still. One way to "help" him, might be to teach him a way to release some of his energy....such as foot tapping...pencil tapping....these have helped student that I know of in the past. As for the OT....Many boys in this age group have some difficulty. My own son has some difficulty with handwriting....

Okay....having said all this, I can only wish you lots of luck. Many of these so called Hyper boys are due to "no child" left behind testing ect for students. Many schools are cutting things like PE time and Recess time to maximize their Academic time. My personal opinion(FWIW) is that boys (and many girls) Are suffering and expected to sit for much longer times then their little bodies are ready for....so now we are labeling them ADD...ADHD....ect.
Not that my opinion is worth anything more than my opinion...and needless to say Pres. Bush didnt ask my opinion of No child left behind.....But I am just a teacher!
Good Luck Mav,
Tracy
ps It doesnt seem possible that A is 2....how?? Surely he is still a baby!!LOL

[BC-MAV]

I don't think DS is really hyper but I can check off a lot from the ADD list in this book. But then again I think every parent could check off a lot of things-LOL! DS isn't affected by "no child left behind". He goes to a private school. I wil likely have him tested at the end of 1st grade to see. The OT said last night when she called that they are already doing things that they would do to help a child with ADD like the headphones during writing workshop, the individual sessions, behavior techniques to help him concentrate, etc...

[DrAussieMom]

I can only give my experience. I wrote letters backwards, horrible in English and reading - really ahead in math and science. My 4th grade teacher asked my parents to get me tested. I was hyper and bored all the time - the math I completed so quick tht it left time for my to get bored and get into trouble. The english and reading I simply woudl not do, so was bored and acted out. She was the best teacher, as I found out I was dyslexic and went to a Dr for about 6 years.

It shos in so many areas - it sounds to me that there may be something going on like that.

This is going to sound terrible, and I dont' want to start a debate, but I do not know about ADHD. My brother had *hypoglicemia* (sp?), now called ADHD from what the Dr's sy. Basically means that he was hyper. He found an outlet in sports and was fine - some thought he should have drugs to manage it, but my paretns were against it, just made sure no sugar.

It sound different from what you are saying, but it seems that your son may need an outlet where he can play to his strengths and get his energy out. My DH was ADHD hand was on redling (Sp?), he has strong opinions to this day that it was not right for him.

You seem to be active enough for an answer that you will find the right answers for your DS - I am not sure of the right asnwer, but wanted to put in my information that may help in some way..... best of luck.

[BC-MAV]

Thanks!

The OT was very reassuring that they were already doing much of which they would do with a child that had ADD. The OT passes on ideas to the teacher and vice versa. My cousin who has 4/5 gifted kids said often children that are gifted are bored and it comes off as ADD. My friend who has a masters in special eduction has a DD in 3rd grade very much like DS in behaviors at school and home. She says he is fine... his head is just thinking of other things. Still I will have him tested at the end of the school year. Thanks again!!!