Hi JC,
Sounds like you got a wake-up call that high school is harder than Jr. HS but that you are now on track to do some studying and get those grades up. Good luck to you - I know you can do it - sounds like you have a good attitude and that counts for a lot.
None of us here know JC I assume. It is probably safe to say that the vast majority of underachieving students need to improve their study habits as opposed to some undiagnosed condition. Therefore, the leap to any conclusion that there is some issue with ADD, retardation or LD is completely from left field. This is what is wrong with our schools, the focus on disorders, not poor habits.
By the way, ADD is a disorder, not a handicap. And, it is controversial, at best. Schools that seek to hang some sort of disorder around a kid's neck by calling it a handicap do no service to the kid.
Today's public school rush to judgement about perceived disorders, not just poor habits, is disgusting. Studying harder and working harder is the answer and only if that isn't paying dividends should other matters be investigated and certainly not an option of first choice.
Right on matt, I could not have said it better myself. From a former slacker in high school, JC, I have regrets eveyday that I did'nt do better in school. I'm glad that you see that there is a problem and most of all doing something about it. i don't know what you see for yourself for the future with college and life, please for your own benefit, work hard in school and in the future, college so you don't butcher discussion forums like this one.:D
Good luck in the future and swim hard.
James
I find it comical that you now try to redefine your previous statements. You never even mentioned buckling down in your first post, rather you brought up the following:
Undiagnosed learning disability
Mental retardation
Undiagnosed ADD
So, what exactly is the process when a student comes in? From your posts it certainly appears buckling down is not the first option, rather it is a battery of disorders that you can pin on someone and get him/her into some pigeon holed group.
You brought up this on this post without even knowing JC. As long as you are trying to make diagnoses on this forum, I'll continue to challenge in this forum.
I'm also not sure why in the world a school counselor would raise such serious subjects directly with a student in an on-line forum. Is that the protocol or do you ever get the parents involved when talking about complex psychological/psychiatric issues? Have you called JC's folks?
Also, since you are a psychologist, you couldn't even prescribe drugs to help if this is ADD. So, I assume you would have to refer to an MD.
The internet is long known as a source of both good and bad advice. The unsolicited advise you have provided directly to a minor involving medical issues is deplorable.
Thanks, Jerrycat.
I'm sure I've made an enemy or two on this topic but could care less. I can't even imagine the horror of some young person or his/her parents (if they still talk to parents at schools these days) dragged in front of a counselor for having bad grades and being shoved info on ADD, retardation or LD.
Not too long ago (I'm under 40), bright eyed kids who made bad grades or acted out weren't treated to psycho babble but were helped with study habits or beat severly (oops, that was just me, relax Lainey). And, guess what, the world kept on functioning.
I realize I'll get a dissertation back from Lainey on all I don't know. But, this I do know, schools are out of control with the coddling and disorder-mania.
Good grief! Laineybug was just trying to help JC. I'm shocked at the strong personal attacks and pessimistic attitudes some have expressed! JC admitted he had not studied enough. Notice that many of his classes are "honors" classes. Usually these classes are reserved for the stronger students because the material is taught at a more advanced level. (I'm not a teacher nor a school psychiatrist, so I don't claim to know a lot about this subject. I do have a child in honors classes though!) The answer to all this is...JC you can probably do better. You probably know this in your heart. JUST DO IT!
Aquageek, ADD IS considered a disability under Federal Law and students whose ADD is severe enough may be served through the Other Health Impaired program. Please, know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.
Today's public school rush to judgement about perceived disorders, not just poor habits, is disgusting. Studying harder and working harder is the answer and only if that isn't paying dividends should other matters be investigated and certainly not an option of first choice. This, again shows your ignorance of what the real process is. Prior to receiving any services a student must go through a lengthy process where teachers and parents come together and try to solve the problem with interventions and modifications. For example, recommending an afterschool tutoring program, where the student may receive tutoring in a specific subject and instruction in study skills, or something as simple as moving the student to the front of the class.
You obviously missed my point. All posibilities need to be considered and had I not said it no one else would have. I did not say that JC shouldn't buckle down and try harder, nor did I say he shouldn't try that first. All I said was, there are other possibilities.
Incorrect statements of the kind you have made only serve to perpetuate misconceptions of what is really going on in our schools. Further discussion of this is beyond the scope of this forum/board/site. If you wish to debate it with me, lets do so by email.
Laineybug
Gosh, I didn’t read anywhere in Laineybug’s post that she labeled or strongly suggested JC’s grades were caused by learning disabilities. What I read was a lady who has a great deal of experience in these areas and simply did not want JC to miss THAT possibility….if….in fact…it did exist. She raised the possibility; nothing more, nothing less!
I hope we all can be a source of encouragement and enlightenment for this young man as opposed to a body of swimmers who jump to conclusions and bash each other for thoughts or suggestions that we may not agree with or understand.
JC, based on your recent post, I gather you have been a tab bit lax in your study habits (as of late). At this juncture, I see a very simple fix…..get cracking on the old school books and everything will work out fine. Keep us posted….
Kindest regards,
Tom
the WHY: I was not prepared for STUDYING, in Jr. High, I got a's and B's by not studying. I was BSing the 1st 2 months of school.
JC has pointed out a common problem in many schools today . . . students are simply not taught how to study today to the degree it was taught when I was in school (which was long enough ago). I see my own friends' children struggle with homework and I am appalled at their study habits.
I do believe that JC will really buckle down and hit the books, including taking advantage of tutoring after receiving this wake-up call. If he's still having problems in comprehension, etc., then pursuing other avenues of finding the cause would seem to be in line.
I think that debating JC's source of his problem is pointless. We should encourage him, rather than diagnose hiim which should not be within the realm of this forum.
And so JC, there's no doubt in my mind you will rise above this. PLEASE keep us posted.
Kindest regards.
aquageek...I feel ya!
Lainey--I'm surprised at you.
The problem now is that there are more lazy, bad teachers as opposed to passionate ones.
Now, people can get on the box for me saying that--but it's really true.
when I was in school, I was bored to death, and my grades relected it. But, I never got booted off a team or suffered huge consequences. I got b's and c's, and went on to graduate from University of cincinnati with a BA, and now have my own business.
Now, with that said--JC, get your act together. You don't have a learning disability, retardation, or any other of that psycho b.s. that shrinks are quick to assign to a person. If your counselor, or any other person tries to tell you you're not "college material", don't listen to them. Leave the diagnosis to a medical doctor--not teachers, janitors, counselors, or other people.
You might just be a normal kid, bored at school, who needs to get his butt in gear.
A little effort JC goes a long way. Go work at Wendy's one summer--if you don't get your act toghether, that's what you have to look forward to in the future.
The other thing I want to say, is that not every dynamic kid out there is stimulated by "class room" environments all day everyday. I don't know why the format hasn't become innovated by now, but I think it neglects many kids who would benefit from other formats of learning.
But, JC, that's still no excuse--you've got to get through school, and get your ass in gear. Otherwise, you're going to be a very disappointed person later in life.
Jerrycat
