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WOOHOO, HSB is at his last final. It is algebra 2 and it will be a bear. We had him see the Saturday tutor, the during the week tutor both Monday and Tuesday. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he passes. Hell I will take a C, so he can get a descent grade for the year. The poor kid has earned it.
I have to say that in my recollection, this has got to have been the worst year for this child. Apart from the social issue of losing his longtime best friend (child decided after being BFFs since 3rd grade that he didn't want to be friends with HSB anymore), academically this year was just a nightmare. Something has happened to this child when it comes to math and it is just getting worse. Many people have mentioned the issue of dyscalculia and that it might be HSB’s problem. But I am not really sure about that. HSB has no problem learning about the concept, it’s the application of the concept and the little tiny things that he misses.
It is so difficult at times to parcel out what is causing any issue that our children have. Considering that HSB’s aspergers is co-morbid with ADHD, OCD, language processing disorder, auditory processing disorder, dysgraphia and possible NVLD, oh and the all purpose emotional dysregulation issues associated with all of the issues I just mentioned, who really knows what is causing what. I am going to be taking him to a new psychiatrist this summer to see if we can figure it out and to see if that leads to any changes in his regime. I know we are told that if medication is working not to change it. I am not planning to change his medication, I am actually wondering if he is on too much medication as opposed to not enough. You can read (here) the terrific discussion we had @thecoffeklatch yesterday about medication and summer rollercoaster to get an idea of how we are going to have everything reevaluated.
Honestly I am not so sure that even if everything is going smoothly that that is not a bad idea to begin with. Children grow and change and their needs change. Who is to say that what worked at 5 will work at 6. Heck what has worked at 5 for my children didn’t even work at 5 and ½. Constant reevaluation and redirection is a good thing. Make sure that your children are receiving the care that they need at the time and truthfully if you don’t like what the doctor recommends go somewhere else. I can’t tell you how many times I have been fired by a psychiatrist because I questioned them (I tell you, there are some doctors out there who need medication and therapy themselves) or how many times I fired a therapist because they decided that it was my job to figure out what was happening with my child (Actually had several ask me that question. They told me that if I figure it out to tell them. I found a new therapist instead). But in the end we have been able to establish a posse of wonderful people all dedicated to helping the boys. It may take time, but it is well worth the effort.
As far as math is concerned though, HSB was always able to learn his math facts, even though he really never wanted to study. Yes that has been an ongoing issue with him since he was very young. But he was able to pull out the stops no matter what was required of him. Even on his fourth grade statewide testing, HSB did well despite his attitude. What attitude you ask?
Well for starters, on the English exam, HSB had had enough by the third day of testing and instead of writing the essay answers like he was supposed, basically wrote to the state education authorities, that “if they wanted to see how well he reads and writes, they should come to his school and watch him.” Yep he handed that in. Nope, the teacher did not accept it and made him go back and finish the test properly. But we did have a great laugh in the IEP meeting about that one.
Now for the math test, HSB also had had enough by the second
