Expert: Tim Runner - 3/12/2009

Question
i have a wonderful 9rd old boy who is having quite a lot of problems at school.we have dealt with these problems in the past few years of his schooling only for them to re-occur again such as sharpening pencils and stabbing other pupils with them and not paying attention to his schoolwork.He is a very loving boy to teachers he becomes friendly with and that understand his temper and such things and has always been very thoughtfull to myself and members of our family but when he goes into one of his tempers it becomes a nightmare until he gets his own way. I feel i have always coped well with him not breaking up his routine and always telling him in advance of appointments (doctors,dentist)or else he will not go and cause a scene to the point that i dont have any energy left and we go home.The teachers in his school have brought his learning ability to my attention recently saying that he should be much further ahead than what he is.He is very proper spoken has great manners and if u ask him questions on things that he has an interest in he will practicly shove the facts down at you.The head teacher therefore was very shocked at his reading ability saying that by the way he speaks she thought he would have been a fluent reader.I think he just gets nervous in front of the class and starts to stutter and then the vicious cycle returns with him getting upset and angry.I have spoken to my GP before about him and he said just to give him time but i feel as if he is needing extra support with his emotions and also at school.Should i keep trying my GP or is there any other means of support i could get?Thank you Sarah

Answer
Sarah,
You don't say if your son is receiving special education services. Based on what you stated, he should be assessed for these services. It certainly seems like he needs help with reading and speaking. If you seek this assessment in writing, the school must perform various assessments to determine the services he needs. If he is already receiving special education, they need to reassess him and modify his services to better meet his needs.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Education Advocate
Email: timrunner@cox.net
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com
www.education-advocates.com (for DSL and phone)