https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 23:26:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926290 Thu, 03 Feb 2022 23:15:02 +0000 Shantuck 2926290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: He actually loves being read to but I feel guilty being the one doing the reading. We’re reading the Harry Potter books and we do book, movie, book, movie. </p> <p>I have been working with him on homework much more closely in the last month and he got a 90 on his recent math test, which feels like a huge victory. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926224 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 11:16:08 +0000 erinbaderin 2926224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have too much advice but I would say two things: 1) there has been SO MUCH going on for kids over the last two years, and it sounds like even more than that for your kid. I'd be hesitant to jump to any conclusions based on where kids are now or have been over the past 24 months. Personally, I am not as good at my job as I was even a year ago, I find that as this wears on with the stress and the uncertainty and the constant changes I'm losing words, the ability to focus, keep my train of thought going, etc. And 2) re: reading, "great books" are different for everybody, so I'd say just keep trying. Does he have a friend who does like reading who might suggest something? My son is in grade 2 and up until a few weeks ago told me he hated reading, then a friend came over who talked nonstop about the Wings of Fire graphic novels and now my son is on the third one and is trying to sneak a flashlight into his bed to read after bedtime. I have another friend whose kid wasn't into reading until grade 4 when he discovered military history. Could you take him to a bookstore and see what he picks out? Does he like being read to? (not to say you haven't tried any/all of this, I'm just kind of deep into trying to get my kids to love reading too so I have a lot of thoughts) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926222 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:59:27 +0000 Chuckles 2926222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: I hope it's helpful. It's possible, of course, that something else is going on with his learning/attention, but once you provide this type of support between home and school, you'll have a better sense of that if he is still struggling. I think it's helpful to think about the fact that all kids need to learn habits like planning, study skills, organization, and asking for help. His grades in 4th are kind of irrelevant in the long term; what you're really doing is setting him up for learning habits and skills now so that he's successful in the long run when grades matter more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926218 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:23:14 +0000 Shantuck 2926218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: Thanks for the insight. He's my oldest so this is all new territory for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926211 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:04:16 +0000 Chuckles 2926211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: 4th grade is tricky because there can be a big increase in expectations for independence when not all students are ready for it. Have his teachers been open to more communication and collaboration with you? Because I would definitely go that route first. If his teachers knew he is racing through his homework and it is impacting his learning and grades, they should be supporting him with that and stopping him from doing that. There might be some mild executive functioning stuff going on, but you don't need a full assessment just for that. Also, having both his teachers and you encourage that self-advocacy of noticing when he doesn't understand something or needs help and then asking for it - also a new tricky skill for that age group. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926210 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:38:59 +0000 Shantuck 2926210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I think some of this is executive functioning issues. In 3rd grade, assignments and test dates were sent to parents so we could ensure they were completed properly. For tests, we were given a study sheet that he had to memorize. This year there is very little communication from the teachers and he comes home every day saying there is no homework. I found out from one teacher that he was racing through homework during his school day so he didn't have to bring it home to do it. </p> <p>Another part of the issue is that he is not as savvy at remote school as his peers. He has largely been in person following the initial few months of the pandemic (compared to his new peers who were remote all of last year). In some cases, I found that he completed assignments and didn't click "submit" in Google Classroom or he didn't grasp the technology enough to complete the assignment (ex. couldn't make slides in the Google version of Powerpoint to make a flowchart for a project). In none of those scenarios did he ask for help or did his teachers advise us that the assignments were never received or fully completed.</p> <p>His teachers all say the same thing - that he just needs to slow down and pay closer attention. He brought home a 77 on a math test that I had helped him study for and was elated. He thought that was a great grade. My husband is advocating more of a tough love approach and suggesting we take away his iPad until his grades improve. I always thought he seemed advanced by the way that he speaks but I worry that I wear parent blinders and maybe am not seeing something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926209 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:12:39 +0000 Chuckles 2926209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Besides rushing through assignments and reading, do you notice anything else that makes you think he has some learning or attention differences going on? When he had great grades but lower test scores, did his teacher ever express any concerns?<br /> Based on what you know about his experience, what are the reasons why his grades went down even with extra tutoring? Is it just the in-class assignments? Or are there other graded activities (homework, participation, longer projects) that are contributing? Have his teachers said what make them think he is just rushing versus something else going on?<br /> And one last question, have you asked him what happens when he does assignments at school? By that age, kids can tell you a lot about their experiences with attention and engagement.<br /> I think I would need more info to give a suggestion. And, FWIW, I've been a special ed teacher for 15 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926208 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:21:42 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2926208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would think through what you intend to do with the results before doing the testing. It sounds like he is a) on the young side b) not engaged at the new school either because of the tech or the teacher situation. I would probably go back to the old school (or another school) and maybe even consider redshirting (hold him back a year). I would also consult with his teacher from last year if you can and get an opinion from someone that has seen him in person. And... I would make sure you are addressing this physically as well: 1- making sure he gets enough exercise every day (super important for learning) 2- address any nutritional deficiencies which may be impeding concentration (so it shows up on tests but not necessarily on regular school work), 3- make sure he's getting good sleep. It is rare to find a professional which addresses the whole child, so just a heads up on that. Learning differences are almost always associated with some level of gut dysbiosis. I could go on and on but hopefully I gave you some points to explore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926206 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:17:15 +0000 nwm 2926206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, this is such a tough situation where it is so hard to separate the challenges of the last two years from everything else! My son is only in K but I can easily see this being him in 2-3 years, in terms of his being very verbal but having this attitude toward school, reading, etc. </p> <p>It is a close call but I would probably go ahead and get the testing done, even though I am really sympathetic to the level of commitment/expense it sounds like is involved. Even if you test and don't get a diagnosis, I don't think you would regret it, whereas I could see regretting it if you wait and then do receive a diagnosis in another year or two.</p> <p>Plus, given that it sounds like you and the tutor are putting a ton of resources into the situation already--a diagnosis might help you to simply channel that energy (and $$) toward help that is more targeted to his needs.</p> <p>Also, it's so rough his teacher quit so suddenly. Is there anyone else at the school (like the teacher's supervisor) you could speak with to get their views? A decent school should have more than one adult who can speak to your son's needs and whether they think there is an issue requiring possible testing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/learning-evaluation-needed#post-2926205 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:03:53 +0000 Shantuck 2926205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Advice needed! My son has always been a little behind in school. He has a summer birthday and we decided that since he was such a social child that we didn't want to redshirt him before kindergarten. We first noticed him testing a bit behind on standardized test (iReady) in 2nd grade, which was the same year as the Covid lockdown. In 3rd grade, he was getting straight A's in school (his private school was in person) but he continued to test a bit behind the expectations. Given that his grades were so good but his test performance was behind, we had some concerns about the quality of the education he was getting. This year in 4th grade, we found out he had gotten into a magnet school a month into his school year so we decided to move him. This new school uses technology very differently than his prior school (i.e. much more dependent on it) and does not communicate with parents at all regarding assignments, etc. His grades have been much lower this year so we found him a tutor twice a week and have been trying to work with him on our own in the evenings and over weekends. Despite all of these steps, his grades have continued to plummet. During this time, he has had 2 Covid quarantines and a teacher strike and his teacher ended up quitting with 2 days notice. We're currently on week 2 of a substitute teacher. </p> <p>I'm trying to decide whether we need to seek testing for any sort of condition that might be contributing to this situation (dyslexia, ADHD, etc.). Apparently, the reservations are booking for 6 months out and even with insurance, the cost of testing him will be about $1,000 and take about 8 hours of our time. He is a very verbal and socially adept kid. He has never been at all interested in reading (and I've tried tons of great books with him - Harry Potter, Diary of Wimpy Kid, etc.). When he does read aloud to me, he frequently skips over words as if he is trying to go too fast. His teachers say he is always the first to turn in assignments and because of his haste isn't really adequately answering the questions. I am not sure if he is just trying to expend as little effort as possible and doesn't really take school seriously. However, I would feel horrible if there was something else at play and I was getting frustrated at him for something outside of his control.</p> <p>I also know these past two years have been A LOT. In addition to the pandemic, we upended his school situation, his teacher quit with very little notice, etc. </p> <p>Would you bring him to a clinical psychologist and have him evaluated for dyslexia, ADHD, etc.? Or would you give it a little time given all that has happened over the last two years? </p>