He is not having behavior problems and his teachers say he is very sweet and polite. He says that he likes school, but he will not complete the work or bring home his homework. His teacher says he has problems staying on task. Any suggestions?
2006-09-21 03:38:45 · 13 answers · asked by AngieGB 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Before jumping on the ADD or ADHD bandwagon, ask the school to perform a dyslexia test. Dyslexia is defined in many different ways. While reading is the primary problem, some definitions of dyslexia also include difficulties with:
Writing
Spelling
Listening
Speaking
Math
A person with dyslexia is someone whose problem in reading is not the result of emotional problems, lack of motivation, poor teaching, mental retardation, or vision or hearing deficits.
My husband and 2 of my children have this problem and I am so glad that this was discovered BEFORE having them treated with drugs or behaviour modification.
2006-09-21 03:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by Funny Frankie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand why some are so quick to jump on ADD and drug children. Did you not see "He is NOT having behavior problems"?
Sounds to me like he isn't staying on task because he doesn't see it as important. Ask him when he gets home, "did you bring your homework?" Set aside a time for homework when there is no television or other distractions. Talk with the teacher about reminding him of his homework assignment at the end of the day, and making sure he brings it home.
Good luck.
2006-09-21 03:55:29 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Set up a meeting with his teachers, you AND your son to communicate expectations and create boundaries. Most importantly, this meeting should send the message to your son that you care and you desire his happiness. You might also want to invite the school counselor to "sit in".
Since he has not been completing his work, it could mean that:
#1 He may not completely have a grasp on the material. By then shifting his focus, he can at least feel capable of whatever it is that he has decided to do instead. Also, it will APPEAR to his teachers and classmates that he has completed the assigned work .
#2 He may very well KNOW the assigned material and is not challenged enough. So he does a couple of the problems to put in the effort and then is bored with the rest of the assignment.
Your expectations of him need to be clearly defined. He has to be held accountable for completing his work and deal with the consequences if he does not, ie: eliminate TV, electronics, visiting friends (freedom!), etc. That way it becomes his responsibility, therefore, HIS CHOICE. If for some reason he CHOOSES the consequential route, it is YOUR job not to PUNISH but to instead show that you care and that you want him to be happy. In my opinion, if he chooses the consequences, it may be his way of saying he desires that interaction with you...that he needs to be and feel "grounded".
2006-09-21 04:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by kathryn m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is he getting enough sleep at night? Is he involved in other activities out of school? Has something changed at home? Is this problem in all his classes or just certain ones?
Don't assume that he is ADHD just because he doesn't complete school work.
Take the time to sit down privately and talk one on one with him. Tell him your concern and ask him what he thinks he can do about it. You might find that he is having a little trouble in some classes so just avoids doing the work because he doesn't understand it.
Help him come up with some ideas he can do, with your support, that will help him stay on track. Some of these could be:
Have him show you or tell you what they did in the different classes that day.
Have a daily planner where he writes down assignments for each class as well as due dates. Ask the teacher to support you in this. Our school for years has given each child a weekly planner with the subjects listed. The kids get in a habit of writing down each day what the HW is, test dates, and due dates. The parents of younger kids sign each day that they read them, and the older kids we sign each week.
Ask him to decide between activities if he is over involved out of school.
At 10 he should be developing good study habits, but they are also very social at that time. If you can help him stay on track now, he will benefit in the future.
2006-09-21 03:55:45 · answer #4 · answered by ewema 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
before you medicate your child unneccesarily, take him to his doctor for a complete mental and physical evaluation then look at all your options. just because he is not doing his homework and may not stay on task does not mean he needs medication. there are other things you can do. find out if he is depressed about anything? is he being bullied? etc. if he starts to exhibit behavioral problems try counseling before medication. teachers are not doctors. most of them request that a child be on medication because he or she is not doing work or staying on ask. teachers need to find better ways to reach that child instead quickly suggesting medication. every child learns differently and behaves differently and just because they dont do homework or stay on task does not justifye numming him/her with medication. do your reaserch fist, I'm sure you will do the best thing for your child. besides, nobody-teachers or doctors- knows your baby better than you. good luck
2006-09-21 04:01:54 · answer #5 · answered by ABC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a 10 year old son who also loves school teacher says all good things about him also alot of time we have alot of trouble with homework does not want to do it.well monday i found out 3 kids on the bus are picking on him i reported that to school but since i did that hes getting back on task maybe theres other things that are just bothering him ??
2006-09-21 03:48:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a bit vague. Does he have problem concentrating? Is it he never finishes a job? Either way he's got to learn. No TV or Computer time unless the task is done. Guide him in his task. At the kitchen table not alone in his room. Stuff like that.
It's not ADD forget the Ritalin.
2006-09-21 03:47:50 · answer #7 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also have children and i let them know its your grades not mine when they ask me to do something i just tell them no because if they cant do their work they cant do any thing else. he may be add or he may be bipolar i have a daugther the same way try special ed classes an iep plan or a 504 plan through the school system
2006-09-21 03:55:50 · answer #8 · answered by Rebecca S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show up at the end the school day (when the other children can see you) and make sure he has all of the things he needs to do his home work it will Embarrass him to have his mommy there and after a few time he/she will not want you to be there and do it them self
2006-09-21 03:56:43 · answer #9 · answered by rogerm11111 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can go to the school and pick up the homework yourself. Or if someone else picks him up see if they can get the homework. And, when you get home do the homework with him. Give him incentives for doing his homework, and take away privilegdes if he forgets his homework at school or doesn't complete it.
2006-09-21 03:49:17 · answer #10 · answered by Coco 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋