Ask Dr. Silver
Dr. Larry Silver answers selected questions from LD OnLine users regarding diagnosis and options for managing learning disabilities.
Below are the newest questions answered by Dr. Silver. To view all questions, organized by topic, visit the All Questions section.
Do you have a question about diagnosis and options for managing learning disabilities? Submit it now!
Who diagnoses an auditory processing disorder?
My son is 9 years old. His teacher questioned whether he has an auditory processing disorder. The school is going to test him shortly but everyone tells me I should have it done privately instead. It is not covered under insurance.
If his school tests him, is there a specific or more thorough assessment that I as a parent could ask for? Thanks.
Speech and language therapists evaluate for a possible auditory processing difficulty. Most health insurance companies will pay for this assessment. But you should also discuss your concerns with the principal of his school, and request that the school's speech and language therapist see your son.
How can I get a 4-year-old who can only say three words tested?
How can I get an assessment or evaluation for a child who has turned 4 but can only say three words? I think he is too old for the Babies Can't Wait program.
Under the public law, IDEA, every public school program must have a Child Find program to evaluate children ages 3 to 5 who appear to be delayed in any area of development prior to entering kindergarten. Speak with the principal of your neighborhood school about how to register for Child Find.
My son is on Concerta for his ADHD, but still struggles with multi-tasking and is falling behind in class. What is causing this?
I have a 9-year-old son in the third grade. He has ADHD and is on Concerta. The meds definitely help calm him down so he can focus more at school.
Academically, he is very smart but he constantly needs help from the teacher or a student to keep up with the class. According to his teacher, he is always many steps behind the rest of the kids in class. He does not do well with multi-tasking and this often causes him to fall behind. And he's very slow at finishing every assignment.
At the same time, his teacher says that he is the hardest working person in the classroom and he'll keeping working until it's done. He does no goofing off whatsoever. Any idea what might be causing this? Could it be the meds he's on?
About 50% of children with ADHD also have learning disabilities. It sounds as if your son might have both. Discuss this concern with his school professionals and ask that they evaluate for this possibility.
Does my daughter need both a reading specialist and a tutor?
First I want to express my thanks for all the information available on the site.
Dr. Silver: My daughter is 12 years old and in sixth grade. Since first grade, she has had difficulties in reading and spelling. I had her tested recently for dyslexia. She was placed in extended school year services, tutoring at school, and given accommodations.
I wish I could have had her tested earlier. I sent her to a reading specialist in the summer, which was costly. I also have her go to a tutor, who works well with her but does not have the credentials of the reading specialist (who also tested her).
Question: Do I do a combination of both or just keep her with the tutor? I put her in private school, because I felt she would get lost in the system. Also, I am looking for a school that offers a program which works with kids like her. I am a single mother, trying to find the best possible avenues to bring out my daughter's talents.
Your daughter will need both remedial tutoring and an education program that can accommodate for her special needs. If she is in a public school, these services should be available. If she is in a private school, your resources may be more limited. Do you have an educational consultant or someone at her school who coordinates her special education program? If so, discuss these needs with this person.
My high school son is off ADHD meds but now he's struggling with organization and self-motivation. What should I do?
Dear Dr. Silver,
I have a high school senior who has a learning disability, not ADHD. He was thought to have ADHD and was medicated when in middle school. However, when he started high school things changed and we stopped the medication due to behavioral misconduct that appears to have resulted from the medication.
As parents we have tried to help him with his behavioral problems. They have improved, but his grades have not. He starts off well but by the end of each semester he always falls short.
I am lost as to what to do. My son wants to be successful but is lacking the determination and motivation to get there on his own. He constantly needs reminders and supervision. How do I groom him to become independent, determined, and self-motivated?
Your description of his problems sound like a possible executive function disability (problems with organization and time planning). This disability might be a reflection of ADHD or of LD and often begins to be a problem in middle and high school. Discuss this possibility with the professionals at his school.
Can ADHD meds help with an auditory processing disorder?
My fifth-grade son failed two subtests for auditory processing. I do not know if we are dealing with ADHD. We have tried ADHD meds and he says that he can hear the teacher better.
Is there any evidence to indicate that ADHD meds would impact auditory processing? Everything I've read seems to indicate no, but he insists that is the one difference for him.
You ask good questions; however, I cannot be specific. You need to sit down with the person who diagnosed him with an auditory processing problem and ask these questions. Usually, such an area of difficulty would interfere with reading skills and writing skills (e.g., spelling).
There are other questions to ask this person. What two tests did he fail and what does this mean? Did you do any other studies to see if he has areas of learning difficulty? Push to get clarification.
How can I help my son who is calm at home but disruptive in class?
My son is in kindergarten. Although his behavior seems calm and normal at home, he is constantly disrupting his class. As of now his learning is being affected. He is behind the rest of the students. He can count to 20 but cannot recognize numbers or letters. I have tried visiting his class and I work with him at home but he always gets frustrated and turns away. Please help!
I cannot be specific about the cause. I can share your concern. You need to discuss these problems with the school professionals to explore what his problem areas are. His areas of difficulty might reflect that he is developing at a slower pace than his classmates or they might be the first clue of a possible learning problem. If no one will respond, you could seek a private evaluation.
What would you call an almost total inability to rote memorize?
What would you call an almost total inability to rote memorize?
I am talking about a child, otherwise quite intelligent, an excellent reader with a high level of what used to be called "number sense," who otherwise cannot memorize. For example: This child has tried for months to memorize the times tables and is unable to do so. The child can multiply but just cannot memorize the tables. I am at a loss to help.
Concerned parent,
Bill
I would need the child's age to be specific. I would be more concerned about why this child is having this difficulty than what to call it. Have you discussed this problem with a school professional or a private special education professional? Specific testing should both clarify why the problems exist and what to do to help.
My son has an auditory processing disorder and is struggling but the school is only offering a 504 plan. What can I do?
My son is 12 and has been diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder. He has a hard time comprehending the material in school. I'm told he doesn't focus or engage in asking questions. I wonder if he has ADHD, although the doctor said he only has an auditory processing disorder.
What can I do to help him in school? He can't retain the information and the workload is too much. I'm not getting any help from the school. My son is a good kid who tries extremely hard. I don't want him to give up. He is extremely nervous giving a presentation or performing in front of people to the point that he hunches over and starts crying. Please help me! The school would not give him an IEP. They recently said they may consider a 504.
My first question: Who diagnosed him with an auditory processing disorder? This person should be advising you. Such a disorder often causes learning disabilities. Was he evaluated for this? If not, this needs to be done. Where are his skills in reading, writing, math, and organization? What you describe does not sound like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
I support your not accepting a 504 Plan. This plan would provide accommodations but not remedial services. You need to be assertive about wanting a full assessment leading to an IEP. Under an IEP, he should get both accommodations and services. Maybe you need a special education consultant to advise you on your rights under the education law and how to approach your school.
(If you want to read more on this, look in my book, The Misunderstood Child, Fourth Edition, published by Random House/Three Rivers Press.)
Good luck. Don't give up. If all of the above fail, e-mail back.
advertisement
Sponsored Links
About these ads
Consumer Tips
