My son is five but his vocabulary is limited and hates to write or do anything academic. pls need advice.?

Question

He does not respond to questions, he cries alot when at home with parents, but is well behaved in school. He only tells you that he wants this or that (basic things like food, water, use the loo etc.

Answer 1

Discuss the possibility of asperger's disorder with your doctor. It is a milder form of autism. Also, he needs to have his hearing checked and to make sure his tonsils are not enlarged.

If everything comes back fine, get him a Leap Pad toy that seems approprite for his age (there are many). Sit with him and play and try to find something common between you. Even if he does not talk to you, talk to him.

Hugs

Answer 2

I taught my 2 girls to read very early (ie started before the were a year old). It was so easy. My son? No he did everything at his own pace not mine. Thassfine. Watch to make sure there is nothing wrong but there PROBABLY wont be. KIds are different and boys particularly so. Get him interested in activities. Share things with him that he likes.

Remember however much we try (and I am a male primary school teacher) sitting down and getting ticks seems to suit girls a lot more than boys. Also males deviate far more from the norm than girls (it always shows up on tests). You are experienced one, the adult: look for what he needs not what you need.

I know that sounds simple and I know it isn't, but I do knew a totally normal boy who didn't even nearly speak unitl he was almost 3. His parents were just so worried. Find activities for him. Find what he is good at not emphasise what he can't/doesn't want to be good at. It will almost certainly come right in the end

Answer 3

Have you had any indications from the school that they perceive there is a problem with his speech? Even if you have not, it is worth making an appointment with the Headteacher to talk through your concerns.
In the meantime I would also approach your GP, as they can sometimes 'fast-track' children to a speech therapist.
Try to discourage him from passive activities ie watching TV, playing on computer games etc When you play together or read to him ask open ended questions which demands a greater response than a positive or negative.
For example if reading the story of Jack and the Beanstalk ask him why Jack had to take the cow to market; or what he thinks it would be like to live in the giant's castle.
Good luck and don't despair -Einstein didn't utter a word until he was five!!

Answer 4

I wonder if your son finds school work tiring, yet enjoyable when he's there? It may just be lack of stimulation from his peers but I also wonder if he cries most in response to your efforts to get him to do school work, or is there any sibling rivalry?

From my family at least there is evidence that dyslexia runs in families so it may be worth asking you and your partners family members if any of them had problems at school.

He may or may not have a condition such as dyslexic but having him tested would at least give you an answer one way or the other if you are unsure.

I don't know if this helps or not but I am dyslexic and didn't know it til I was 12. Growing up I didn't learn to read til I was 8. I found it very difficult and remember lots of tears of frustration when my mum tried to get me to read. Writing was even more of a nightmare.

The good news is that between 8 and 9 I eventually cracked it myself and at 12 it was suggested by a family friend that I be tested.

If you do intend getting your son tested, I suggest the Dyslexia Institute or similar and not one of the local education authority's educational psychologists who are, from my experience, often not specialist enough to properly diagnose this sort of problem.

My life change so much for the better just knowing why I was having such a hard time and I was given self help exercises which really worked.

Lastly, some dyslexic children get bolshie and misbehave because, despite them putting lots of effort in, they get little if any praise for the work they do, while others will keep trying regardless.

Whatever the problem, good luck.

Answer 5

I am dyslexic and at about the same age was diagnosed only it was something the medical profession put down to me being left handed! now they know different.

If your son has difficulty with reading,writing and words it could be worth your while sending him to a specialist.
Also if he is unable to differentiate between B and D this is a strong indication as is not knowing your left from your right I still have these problems but am able to explain now.

Dyslexia is not taboo and needs people to encourage rather than put down.

I spell phonetically and still do but with the aid of computers and spell checks it has been made easier for me.

Take time with him maybe try a walk to somewhere neutral a place where he does not feel uneasy and just se if you can coerce a few words feeding the ducks is a good joint activity.

Good Luck loads of praise to him if he opens up and do go and have him checked out

Dyslexia rules KO! (saw this written on a wall)
This was all written using a spell check and I always think that my dyslexia is a gift rather than a disadvantage I might not be academic but am really artistic.

Answer 6

The best advice here is from-----Donna M, nadie, rachelsweets, and mine (LOL!).

I am a pre-school teacher specializing in children with special needs.
As daunting as it sounds you need to have your son evaluated by your peditrician, school, psychologist, and speech pathologist.

Try not to stress your son will pick up on it and you may have some behavior problems as a result.

The crying comes from the frustration your son is feeling and he feels comfortable enough to show you. Check with his teacher his good behavior may be mistaken, he may just be quite, so they say he is well behaved(but that is not the definition)

If you see your son is having a difficult time answering questions there is also a chance he can't find the right words or make them come out. Give him time to try to answer and if you already know the answer help him, for example: "I think you want to play with your ball, is that right?" allow him time to nod or whatever. The more you know about what he wants you can help provide him with the words.

Give him the names to feelings like "I know you are angry because I'm not sure what you want but I will try to figure it out if you help me"------- You'll be surprised when he cries less because he has a name for his feelings, and knows you are trying to help him.

Above all do not in any way make him feel like he is doing this on purpose to make you mad, or that its his fault.

Answer 7

Ask school if they can arrange for him to be assessed by an educational psychologist - they check to see whether he needs any special help in particular areas. Maybe he is dyslexic, for example.

Try not to worry, though, kids do tend to get the hang of things at different times - and five is still very young. The crying at home is not a good sign, though - maybe a trip to the GP?

Answer 8

The speaking etc will come. The more you push it the more he'll shut down. My daughter had an undiagnosed hearing problem for a while, and really withdrew into herself. Every kid is different but if you're worried talk to a doctor or get some tests done. Try not to panic; he may just be going at his own pace at the moment. Good luck..

Answer 9

may be he needs to see a speech therapist my Friends son Connor was like that and wen he started school it was his teacher who said he would need to see a speech therapist as he could only say basic things but he also craved attention from his mum and dad at home but at school he was in dependant maybe this is not the case but its worth a try if it is this it will take time but it will be well worth it as Connor is now 1 of the top of the class now good luck

Answer 10

HI ! i am just 10 years old and i went on elementary school on Philippines.When i was 5 i already know how to spell Encyclopedia and i skip Preschool because my mom always let me to be independent and let me read books all the time and i always obey my parents.My advice is let your son increase his IQ so he can think wiser let him read book everyday and teach him how to be independent.And you will see when your son Grow up like me he will always get an A+plus.