Posted Jul 12, 2006 at 7:37:17 AM
Subject: Need help - what do you think? (LONG!)
Hi everyone,
I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before taking the next step to help my daughter. I'm having a hard time figuring out what her specific problem is. She has such a hodge podge of characteristics/symptoms. At first I thought she had ADD due to her lack of focus/attention, but then there are other issues she has that makes me wonder if there is an underlying (perhaps neurological?) problem. Below are some glaring problems and strengths we see in her. Does anyone recognize this combination being indicative of something specific? The closest descriptions of LD I've read about that include her symptoms is "Executive functioning deficit." Also - should I take her to the pediatrician or to the local public school for an evaluation or testing? We will be doing a "hybrid" school this year - classes twice a week and at home 3 times a week (classified as homeschoolers). She responds well to one-on-one instruction.
Characteristics: 14 years, 8 months old girl – just finished 8th grade in a small Christian school.
Weaknesses
• Struggles in math (still doesn’t know some multiplication facts); doesn’t grasp the relationship b/w fractions, decimals, and percent, etc.
• Does NOT get/hear rhythm in music (i.e., can’t clap to the beat); however, according to a music teacher she learned to play clarinet “by ear.”
• Grades have gone down to mostly C’s in 8th grade from B’s in 7th grade
• Has to think about “left” vs. “right” (directionality)
• Has difficulty listening to and following oral directions (for example, I’ll ask her to put something away and she’ll walk around aimlessly, then ask me what she was supposed to do!)
• Shifty eyes / Poor eye contact
• Gets frustrated easily, therefore she gives up on (perceived) “difficult” tasks quickly
• Test scores: Stanford 10 – Low scores in math (7.9 grade equivalent); exceptionally low score in “Listening” (5.3 grade equivalent, 17th % ile rank). Other scores were 40th to 50th percentile.
• OLSAT scores: Nonverbal = 43rd % ile, Verbal = 20th % ile
• Low self-esteem
Strengths
• EXTREMELY creative and artistic (she’s always drawing!)
• Empathic and spiritual
• Very strong moral ethic – she’s a great kid who never gets into trouble at home or at school.
• Very good reader and speller
• Learns through “visuals”, especially videos
Thank you for reading all this. I welcome any ideas or suggestions!
God bless!
