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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
13yr. old son isn't doing his school work...
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
13yr. old son isn't doing his school work...
by Ann Marie, Feb 16, 2000 12:00AM
My son was a good student, Im not sure I can say when this changed, perhaps when we moved and we placed him in a public school instead of private one. We weren't happy w/ the public school or his performance there.Perhaps we blamed the school. Anyway we changed schools, back to a private school,middle of last year. He did not do well last year, I wanted to leave him back,my son agreed, school did not. The school said to many social changes, suggested tutor instead.We agreed,tutoring was bumpy (attitude & motivation), but he did well academicly.Now in 8TH grade,failing every subject.Son says he likes this school and peers, wants to go to Private H.S. w/ these kids next year. HE says he can do work but doesn't. School is saying they do not leave 8th graders behind,it effects their academic record. If no improvement will"ask him to leave". Principle implying a learning disablity?? or depression/selfesteem problem?? Found out in recent teacher meeting that the reason they didn't leave him behind last year was no room in that grade for that year??? Now suggesting that my former honor student would be better off in a Trade School. Meanwhile my son doesn't seem to be taking this situation seriously, as if time isn't an issue for him in improving his grades. He says he can make the improvements seems serious at the time, but quickly becomes laxadazical??? Your opinion would be a great help to me, Thankyou!
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Feb 16, 2000 12:00AM
, Feb 16, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Ann Marie,
The history you describe does not support the likelihood of a learning disability. If one were present, your son very likely would have struggled much more, or at the very least not excelled, during his first five years or so in school. But, the only way to rule out LD is to have some testing. It would certainly be instructive.
The likelihood is that this change in functioning has more of a developmental/emotional base than anything else. In addition to the changes in home and school, he's at a difficult time in development. This often brings about changes in attitude and motivation, and is a prime time for the onset of a mood disorder such as depression.
Would you consider, in addition to LD testing, an evaluation by a mental health professional? It would be a sensible thing to do.
The history you describe does not support the likelihood of a learning disability. If one were present, your son very likely would have struggled much more, or at the very least not excelled, during his first five years or so in school. But, the only way to rule out LD is to have some testing. It would certainly be instructive.
The likelihood is that this change in functioning has more of a developmental/emotional base than anything else. In addition to the changes in home and school, he's at a difficult time in development. This often brings about changes in attitude and motivation, and is a prime time for the onset of a mood disorder such as depression.
Would you consider, in addition to LD testing, an evaluation by a mental health professional? It would be a sensible thing to do.
and a b. She seems to think since she got a b,its okay about the other grades. She thinks that she seems to want all of our attention even though I have a household of 3 other kids.She looks very atractive and all the boys want to get into her pants. I am afraid she will have a house full of babies and end up on welfare. PLease help me.