How can I help a special ed student acheive to his fullest potential academically?

Question

OK, here's the scoop: A friend's child is struggling in his studies. The child is in the third grade, and he cannot read, write, or perform mathematics at grade level. Moreover, the child is diagnosed with dyslexia and ADD. My friend cannot afford tutoring for his child, the school seems to be apathetic about the child's academic plight (so I was told), and he is doomed to repeat the third grade (so I was told). Any advice or suggestions on how I can install study skills, teach the three R's, and motivate the child to work hard from mediocrity to excellence will always be appreciated. Please reply. Thank you in advance as you are a lifesaver! :)

Answer 1

Just be a teacher to him. Encourage him that he can do anything. I am deaf and did not have the drive to do anything in school, but luckily I can say that I had some EXCELLENT teachers who had confidence in me that I could do anything. Work with him more and coax him into doing a lot of things that he likes to do but add math problems, writing stories... Just simple things to challenge him so he can appreciate more in school.

Answer 2

I myself was diagnosed with dyslexia at a very young age. I was taught how to do a lot of things on a computer. Also what might help is playing a game with mathematics, reading etc. Also with having ADD it's important that you catch it early. And start on medication. My dyslexia has to do with having Neurofibromatosis, which taking a medication that is helping with my cholesterol at the same time is helping with my dyslexia. It's important that you tell your friend to take time and explain things. Computer games are also great with helping with math etc... If he's in public school he should have people helping him with this. Also you might want to do a search on craigslist or call a local collage and see if you can find tutoring for the child. With craigslist you might have to pay something. But with a local collage you might not have to. I have some friends that are teachers and they had to put time in teaching to move onto another class even more so to graduate. I hope that I've helped.

Answer 3

Dyslexia and ADD are 2 things that require special help from professionals.
Most schools are requires to bring these specialists in to help.
As for what you can do to help...play school with the child, make it fun and above all be patient & offer plenty of praise to the little bou. A lot of encouragement goes such a long way.
You can go to the library or book store and look at books about those disorders and seek some advice there that you can try.
Good Luck & God Bless, your doing a great thing.
I admire you for that.

Answer 4

All children in school with learning problems may qualify for special education services. The problem is, most schools across the USA do not want to help thru special ed and will fight the parent to no end.
BUT, the child is legally entitled to this help if he qualifies and the parent can learn the law and rights and get the help, parent doesn't have to 'back down' because school wants them to.

the first step is to write a letter addressed to the district special ed director, requesting 'a full initial educational evaluation testing in all areas of suspected disabilities as specified by IDEA law to determine if my child (name) qualifies for special ed services.'
You HAVE to use these words to make the school legally required to do this eval.
Doing this evaluation is the first step in seeing if a child can qualify for special ed services.

Do NOT retain the child!! If child can't pass one time, why does school think they will next time? what is the school going to do different to help the child if he is retained? Parent can give written refusal of this and they can NOT retain the child.

Answer 5

Here's what worked for me--I have ADHD. It always helped me to have one on one, this eliminates the need to feel competitive, also puts me in a situation where I have to focus. Being around people who are understanding of my disability and are patient with me regardless always helped as well. Make a game out of studying with the child. Children love games. Reward the child for accomplishments made. Reassure the child that he/she can overcome the disability and will be accepted no matter what. Don't set your expectations higher than what the child can reach and don't let your disappointment interfere with your relationship with the child. Children can easily pick up on when they've disappointed someone. This can hinder the learning process. Set time limits to study but be flexible and remember that the child has ADD which means a short attention span. Don't exceed the limits on his/her attention. This will do nothing but frustrate the child worse than what he/she already is. Finally, most importantly, accept the child without limitations. Let the child be him/herself and be willing to let him/her learn at their own pace. Sometimes it is better to learn by our mistakes. I hope this helps and I hope you will have fun while trying to teach this child. One other thing to keep in mind when trying to teach the child is to consider teaching with a hands on approach. This will help broaden the attention span.

Answer 6

each and each individual gets to bypass to college as long as you have the spectacular degree (extreme college degree or GED) and robust grades. colleges won't grant particular instructors for former particular guidance scholars. we are actually below ADA/504. It potential we are to blame for top winding up an identical curriculum as a student devoid of disabilities. the college in basic terms has to grant ramps, greater font length, a quiet place to take tests, aid you tape checklist, enable a provider animal and/or notice taker. You get the 'clever lodging' to your particular case in basic terms after being general and having a gathering with the campus incapacity place of work. particular, you may hire a teach, yet they are actually not going to be specifically experienced to paintings with you. and that they gained't strengthen an IEP in basic terms for you. it rather is going to be yet another college student seeking to make some greater effective dollars on the part. in case you do not pay, they get pissed off including your draw close of the undertaking, and/or graduate, your tutoring can in basic terms end. you may not attraction to the college or courts (like your ok-12 due technique) while that teach does not final. you will ought to bypass searching for and hire a clean teach.

Answer 7

There's resources out there to help your friend's kid. I would take a look at this site called LDonline.com and network with other parents to find out what they did to finance the needed help for their children.