My son is 6, almost 7 and he has developmental delays. He was never classified as autistic or having PDD, all we were ever told was he has a speech delay. My husband, inlaws, myself and his teacher and speech therapist are concerned with his inability to pay attention. He daydreams and "plays" video games in class (moves his hands and fingers like he's holding a controller). The teacher hasn't said it but I think she's thinking ADD or something similar. I've talked to friends with kids similar ages and they all say their kids do the same thing so I know part of it is just my son being a normal 6 year old. The problem he faces is when he drifts he risks getting lost and not being able to grasp what the rest of the class is working on. How can I teach him to stay focused on the task at hand and how to bring himself back when he does drift? Are there games we can play with him? He does watch too much tv, and I know I need to do something about that.
2006-11-08 08:44:53 · 7 answers · asked by Mrs E 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Honestly, you seem to have a pretty rough idea of what you need to do. Just stick with what you are doing and cut the cable off, and maybe take away the games. Just for a few months and see if he improves at school.
Yes, you are right. You do have a normal six year old boy. You could also try using some other sort of methods to increase his attention span.
1) TV Time Needs To Be Trimmed - A child's attention span only lasts about 8 to 10 minutes. Funny that 8 to 10 minutes is how long a television program is on for until it breaks for commercial.
2) Games and Gadgets - When it comes to game systems, just remove them from the picture. Two ways to do so, A) Take them from him while he is either using them or is around or B) Move them into a place where only you know the whereabouts when he is at school.
Some might also suggest using educational games to help but I have found that t defeats the purpose of taking away games all together. Besides, he needs to learn to stay focused and not get better hand eye coordination. Maybe to hone some math or english skills, but not for what you're dealing with right now.
I hope I could be of some help to you.
2006-11-09 12:10:42 · answer #1 · answered by nmk9543 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 6 year old son was speech delayed as a toddler. Took speech therapy for 5 months and then discharged because he did so well. Now we can't shut him up! He's 6 years old and last year was diagnosed mild PDD from a school phychologist. We have always been unsure of the diagnosis but PDD symptoms and ADHD symptoms can mirror each other. Playing video games in school sounds like a PDD symptom (my son has a tendency to flap his hands although not as bad now only when very excited). He was constantly getting in trouble in school with not paying attention (zoning out), being disruptive, (constant talking, getting out of his seat) so we finally put him on Ritalin. We tried everything prior to this measure, special diets, herbal supplements, to no avail. Since he has been on the meds he's a different child at school. Nothing but glowing reports from the teacher. He takes a low dosage just to help him get through the school day. By the time he's home the meds are no longer in his system and we don't give it to him on weekends and don't plan to give it to him over summer break. Your child sounds like he may be mild PDD-NOS as well or ADD (not ADHD like mine. Yours doesn't sound like he has the hyper active part). First thing you need to do is get him tested for ADD . Your pediatrician can start you with that. Paperwork needs to be filled out from you and the teacher (called the Vanderbilt test I believe) Your ped may recommend a phycologist too. From there you can try meds or other options the ped can recommend. Good luck!
2006-11-09 08:44:09 · answer #2 · answered by party_pam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the same situation with my 6 year old, first thing less negative and a lot of positive. Praise him for all the little things he does and keep him busy with toys (those learning toys that don't look like learning toys!). Give him only one task at a time. Last December my daughter was 5 and she began taking Focalin XR 10mg because of the same problems you have been having. She was in all kinds of develpomental classes and by February of this year she was out of all of them. Last week she made the honor roll. Enough said? At first she thought she was taking "vitamins" then we told her the truth and there is no way she will forget to take her pill because when she has forgotten in the past she gets into all kinds of trouble and she will tell me herself that she can't focus. That is not a word I taught her. She is reading at a second grade level and she is in first grade. Lastly, have a lot of patience. I know how frustrating it can be but when you involve yourself with what they are doing at the time you can't get frustrated at how loud or obnoxious they are being. Hope that helps.
2006-11-08 09:37:24 · answer #3 · answered by Michelle 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are tons of educational games out there. Try some. Also, try talking to the teacher to see if she can make the class more interesting (be careful how you word that of course). I teach preschoolers and I know how it feels to teach a lesson and watch your class drift away, or talk to the child sitting beside them. I try to make everything into a game. I also give out prizes to the kids for being good. Each day they are good they get a star, after 5 stars they get to choose something out of the treasure chest.
Also, when I was little (5 yrs. old) I sucked my thumb, so my teacher taped a nickel to the desk each day, and if I went through the day without sucking my thumb she would give me the nickel. Nowadays a quarter might work better.
2006-11-08 08:50:19 · answer #4 · answered by Kaity 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do little exercises on his school work with him at home and set the timer. Make sure and explain to him that for that time he has to listen or participate in what you are doing. If he can stick with it until the timer goes off then stick with that for a week and gradually up the time. I did this with my six year old and she is doing much better. It took a little time and patience but it worked. Also, tell him why it is important to listen and focus on what is going on.
2006-11-08 08:50:37 · answer #5 · answered by cowchic9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its just normal that a child will be playful for that age so dont get so nervous, get him some educational games & dvd's wherein he gets to know what he is studying in school & sit with, off that t.v make him concentrate, teach him to be focussed ..n all this will tak a lot of time.. so relax dont worry n everything will eb the way u want it to be, its normal for his age to be like this
2006-11-08 08:57:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
he may have add-hdd. Get him tested for that
2006-11-08 09:17:02 · answer #7 · answered by honey 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋