chickencam Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 My DS will be 14 in April. He was a late talker and had a few years of speech therapy. He had a mixed time at primary school. His reception teacher thought that he might be dispraxic, and another teacher thought that he had autistic tendencies. They got a shock when he did his CAT test in year 5 and he was in the top 5% in 2 areasand top 1% in another. We had always maintained that he was intelligent, but knew he needed help with his handwriting, and that his social skills were a bit lacking (same goes for all of us in this family). He got a place at an all boys grammar school and struggled in year 7 but has gained in confidence gradually and is now happy and doing well. We went to his yr9 parent's evening yesterday and he was spoken very highly off by many of the the teachers particulary the headmaster who takes him for chemistry, who said he was amongst the top of a very good class. He is being assesed for dyslexia and may be able to use a laptop to do subjects like English, and History because his handwriting is still awful, but his teachers say that his knowledge and ideas are in their words outstanding We are so proud of him and all that he has overcome. Academic life has always come easily to his older sister who is eager to please and diligent, and he has always felt in her shadow. It was so nice to be able to big him up last night. I know that there are a few other people out there who's sons are struggling, keep faith in them support them and in time they will do themselves justice. If anyone has experience of their children using laptops for lessons and exams I would be grateful for any info you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Liz I can remember you writing to me about your son when I discussed problems that my YS was having. I'm so glad your son is doing so well, gives me hope for the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I'm so glad to hear that he's doing well Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 It is so lovely to hear your story Thank goodness for CATs tests and how they highlight children's hidden ability. It sounds like you and your son and the school have done a great job in acheiving what is obviously a huge potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 hey It's great your sons doing so well sounds like he's overcome a lot and done it fantastically. I used a computer for all my exams though i didn't in lessons. Your welcome to ask me any questions about it and i'll do my best to answer Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 That's wonderful . No wonder you're proud of him . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 That's lovely news! You must be bursting with pride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share Posted February 9, 2010 Thankyou everyone, I've just been off to have some lunch and come back to all your lovely comments. TBH I'm feeling pretty emotional It can be tough being a parent, so it is nice when the good stuff comes along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 What lovely news ! You must have been so proud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 So glad he's doing well and well done him for persevering . One of my identical-twin nephews is dyslexic while the other is a high achiever, and we always retain the belief that he will be able to catch up and do well too. You have every right to be the proud parent. Big him up Olympic style! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Liz thats lovely news, I know its not quite the same thing but my step daughter has always been a very high flyer exams were a doddle straight A*s, seems to be great at anything she puts her hand to. her brother always felt in her shadow, he does OK, gets though exams just about, but he has so many other skills. He is at a lovely school that also acknowleges that acadaemia is not the only thing in life that is important. He is now a lovely 18 yr old who has lots of friends and a very easy way with him, confident charming and kind, he wants to be a junior school teacher and I'm sure he will be great.` Im so glad that your son is doing well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Well done to your son for doing so well - and to the school for recognising his potential - and to you for supporting him. No wonder you are proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Thats great Liz Well done to him and you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share Posted February 9, 2010 My son would like to be a teacher of either geography or geology. I think that ideally he would like to stay at the school he is at, there are quite a few ex pupils who are teachers there. The school have been fantastic with him, I think it helps that it is a boys school so they really know how to motivate and support them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Lovely to hear that he is overcoming his early difficulties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 (edited) I use a laptop for all my school work and exams now, my handwriting is also terrible (am also getting tested for dyslexia soonish) Some hints: Make sure you know where your work is, give it a proper file name and put it in the proper folder. For example, if I did geography classwork today I would call the file '9/2/2010' and file it under 'Geography > Unit 2 > Classwork' If you need to draw a diagram, draw the diagram and take a photo of it or scan it and put it into the document, that way you don't have random bits of paper lying around. If using a laptop for an exam, save regularly! Use the spelling and grammar check (very useful for english exams ) But make sure you bring a pen, pencil, spare paper, because not everything can be done on the computer, yet... Edited February 9, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Well done indeedy that young fellamelad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Fab news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Brilliant news My eldest son was entitled to use a laptop for his GCSE's and now for his A levels but refused He didn't want to stand out, he was in the tops sets and felt the other pupils were less accepting of anything that was different than if he was in a mixed ability set He ended up hating History as his teacher crossed out his mock exam work and told him she couldn't read it even though he is Dyslexic and will never be able to write 'neatly' she put him off for the rest of the course Fred you should have the spell check and grammar turned off for exam work Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Fred you should have the spell check and grammar turned off for exam work Karen x Not according to the exam boards, the guidelines state: normal formatting and spell check can be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Brilliant news! Well done that boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutmeg Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 That really is wonderful news. Well done to your son, you sound very proud and rightly so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 10, 2010 Author Share Posted February 10, 2010 The comments on laptops are interesting, especially regarding spell check etc. I wonder if that facility is to help those with dyslexia. My son has always struggled with spelling and for years frequently wrote the J in his name backwards. We have spoken to the schools about testing for dyslexia before and have been fobbed off, but am I right in thinking that it is much easier to spot in older children? He isn't too bothered about standing out from the crowd because he is very much his own person and has always been a bit of an 'odd ball' He is generally well liked but it takes a lot for people to get close too him, fortunately he has not suffered too much from bullying. I am waiting for a call back from the deputy head at his school who deals with these sort of issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Lots of info here that might help you Liz http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 So many things about dyslexia (just looked at the website above) seem to be what my YS is like apart from his reading. He's always read and been tested above his age but he just cannot learn his tables, cannot spell (having extra lessons at school), terrible handwriting, clumsy as anything (broken nose ). His school seem quite focused and are good. At primary he had an IEP. Now he's in secondary they are just keeping an eye on him, but run successmaker classes before school. It is a worry but as you say Chickencam its not all doom and gloom and I know my boy has the brains and determination to succeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
