One of my boys (age 10, 4th grade) had a concussion recently. In follow-up visits they did an assessment to check his progress.

Short version is that once he was cleared on the concussion he was still slow on reaction time. The doctor said it's possible he has an undiagnosed learning disability that he has been able to cope with so far.

Up until this year he has been a straight A student. He is very smart. But this year his grades have slipped a lot. We couldn't figure out why and have been trying to help him improve. His brother had a hard time adjusting to 4th grade (new school) but improved after the first 9 weeks. So the doctor said that maybe he was coping OK till now but 4th grade has just been too much for him.

It's true he has always been "slower" in his actions. I thought he was just more deliberate.

I have not pushed for answers yet but I was wondering if anyone could offer suggestions for talking with his teachers. I did talk to them a little bit and I think they think he's lazy. I don't know if there are tests they could do or where to start. Anyone have any ideas for me?

Thanks!!

Kari S.

Mom to BBB 21, 18, 14
BBG 9/25/01

It's interesting that he was a straight A student before and now his grades are slipping. If he has a learning disability he must have been coping very well to have been so successful. When you say his grades have slipped a lot, how much is a lot? Did he go from A's to C's?

I am just beginning my journey with the special education system and it's quite overwhelming. Although in my case, my son has been struggling all school year and he's only in first grade.

What I have learned so far, is that if you suspect he has a learning disability you can either have him tested independently (which is usually very expensive) or you can request that the school does the testing which will result in an IEP meeting and possible services through the school. If you want the school to do the testing you have to request it in writing, and they have a specific period of time within which to complete the testing and have the IEP meeting. I believe it's 60 days (that doesn't include the summer break or winter break.) So if you're at the end of your school year, the chances are you won't have your IEP until next school year. There's a lot more information for what happens at / after the iEP, but at least that's how you can get started. I hope that helps a little. Good luck with everything! I hope you can find the best way to help him.

kalvy

http://lilypie.com>

He's gone from As and Bs in first through third, to Cs and Ds (and lots of Fs on tests, but not on report card) this year. He also got 99th percentile in math on the standardized test last year.

The counselor is finally setting him up for tests, so we'll see what happens. Thanks!

Kari S.

Mom to BBB 21, 18, 14
BBG 9/25/01

Please look into post concussion syndrome. My son slipped on wet grass during a PE soccer game in 8th grade. Simple fall but he got a concussion. While we thought he simply had his "bell rung", it was not an easy recovery.

He had vision issues that cleared up, sensitivity to sounds, sleeping issues, and school issues. It took 6 months for everything to clear up. Don't dismiss the possibility of a concussion causing more than a headache.

Your son may have a learning disability and you are the best person to guide that discovery process. But do keep the post concussion syndrome symptoms in mind. A google search can give you info to discuss with your doctor.

Sharon
15 year old b/b/b + 18 year old son

Thanks, Sharon. He has been seeing a concussion specialist in a nearby town, Dr. Aaron Karlin, since a few weeks after the concussion. He is the one who brought up a possible learning disorder. This was based on the rest of the tests being normal, and reaction time being extremely low.

Since his grades started tanking at the beginning of the year, it makes sense. To look at him you would just think he's lazy, and/or just too focused on one thing at a time, and maybe that's the case. But he did fine up till this year, and Dr. Karlin says it's actually not that uncommon. The K-3 school is a lot different from the middle school and it makes sense to me that he was able to handle it so well. We had 3 different 3rd grade teachers last year and I could tell that the boys' teachers were not preparing them as well for the "real" studying that they needed this year. Mary's teacher was "way too hard" on them according to the other parents in her class, but those are the kids that are having the easiest time in 4th grade!

Kari S.

Mom to BBB 21, 18, 14
BBG 9/25/01