Notice I did not say that it was a learning disability, nor ADD. I said it might be undiagnosed problems. Way to many learning disabilities and ADD go undiagnosed and the student struggles along with everyone thinking he is 'lazy' or 'stupid' and even worse getting punished for something that is outside of his or her control. The kid starts to wonder what is wrong with himself and eventually becomes to believe lazy/stupid and its a downward spiral from there. If you've never experienced what it is like to have a learning disability, or ADD, or any other handicapping condition, then you don't know what its like and have no basis for making any statements concerning it.
Notice I also told him to talk to his school psychologist, counselor, teachers and parents. They will be able to advise him further on whether or not there MIGHT be a learning disability or ADD, etc. AND give him suggestions on how to improve his grades. One of the things a school psychologist can do is help JC learn how to learn. How many teachers ever taught you HOW to study? Some of us seem to know how to do study without the help of a teacher, others of us have no idea how to study. I mentioned mental retardation because many uninformed people equate learning disabilities with mental retardation. They are two different things all together.
When I see a young person who is motivated and goal directed in one area, and then I hear that he has failed in another I wonder why the motivational skills, the stick-to-it-ness, etc that he has learned and uses in one area hasn't carried over to the others, especially when there are high stakes like not being able to participate in the area that is most motivating to him.
Any time a student fails all possibilities, including disabilities, medical conditions, poor study habits, lack of motivation, too much time swimming, not enough time studying etc. must be considered. Offhand rejection of any possibility is blantantly closed minded, demonstrates a lack of understanding of individual differences and might well contribute to further failure. That having been said, I agree with you, turning off the tv, limiting phone and internet time, etc. will be a really good way to help determine whether or not a real problem exists. That is, if all of that (and maybe some help with learning how to study) doesn't improve grades, then there might be a disability present. I also agree with you that the possibility that a learning disability is present is less than the possibility that JC just didn't do his work. However, saying "All you need to do boy is just study harder" may not truely be the best advice. Studying harder and more does not necessarily improve grades for a student with a learning disability. What is it I've heard a lot of folks say on this board, "Don't swim harder, swim smarter." That applies to students with disabilities, they need to learn how to study smarter... use alternative strategies to learn... and JC may never learn how to study smarter if someone doesn't say, "HEY, there may be a learning disability, ADD, etc going on. Think about it, talk to the adults in your life about it."
Don't get me wrong, I don't make excuses for academic failure. Remember I was the one that told Ion, "that may be the reason, but its not an excuse." The same thing goes for school failure and disabilities.
Laineybug
I also never mentioned the use of Ritilan, nor do I advocate the use of medication for all individuals with ADD.
Notice I did not say that it was a learning disability, nor ADD. I said it might be undiagnosed problems. Way to many learning disabilities and ADD go undiagnosed and the student struggles along with everyone thinking he is 'lazy' or 'stupid' and even worse getting punished for something that is outside of his or her control. The kid starts to wonder what is wrong with himself and eventually becomes to believe lazy/stupid and its a downward spiral from there. If you've never experienced what it is like to have a learning disability, or ADD, or any other handicapping condition, then you don't know what its like and have no basis for making any statements concerning it.
Notice I also told him to talk to his school psychologist, counselor, teachers and parents. They will be able to advise him further on whether or not there MIGHT be a learning disability or ADD, etc. AND give him suggestions on how to improve his grades. One of the things a school psychologist can do is help JC learn how to learn. How many teachers ever taught you HOW to study? Some of us seem to know how to do study without the help of a teacher, others of us have no idea how to study. I mentioned mental retardation because many uninformed people equate learning disabilities with mental retardation. They are two different things all together.
When I see a young person who is motivated and goal directed in one area, and then I hear that he has failed in another I wonder why the motivational skills, the stick-to-it-ness, etc that he has learned and uses in one area hasn't carried over to the others, especially when there are high stakes like not being able to participate in the area that is most motivating to him.
Any time a student fails all possibilities, including disabilities, medical conditions, poor study habits, lack of motivation, too much time swimming, not enough time studying etc. must be considered. Offhand rejection of any possibility is blantantly closed minded, demonstrates a lack of understanding of individual differences and might well contribute to further failure. That having been said, I agree with you, turning off the tv, limiting phone and internet time, etc. will be a really good way to help determine whether or not a real problem exists. That is, if all of that (and maybe some help with learning how to study) doesn't improve grades, then there might be a disability present. I also agree with you that the possibility that a learning disability is present is less than the possibility that JC just didn't do his work. However, saying "All you need to do boy is just study harder" may not truely be the best advice. Studying harder and more does not necessarily improve grades for a student with a learning disability. What is it I've heard a lot of folks say on this board, "Don't swim harder, swim smarter." That applies to students with disabilities, they need to learn how to study smarter... use alternative strategies to learn... and JC may never learn how to study smarter if someone doesn't say, "HEY, there may be a learning disability, ADD, etc going on. Think about it, talk to the adults in your life about it."
Don't get me wrong, I don't make excuses for academic failure. Remember I was the one that told Ion, "that may be the reason, but its not an excuse." The same thing goes for school failure and disabilities.
Laineybug
I also never mentioned the use of Ritilan, nor do I advocate the use of medication for all individuals with ADD.
