I know this isnt exactly related to learning challenges but I do believe that there are some important correlations. I would love some feedback from parents with teenage boys on the following: my son is 15, very bright, very athletic yet struggles extensively academically and on the field. I have long suspected aspergers or some variation on a continuum disorder. He is definitely lacking in the executive function department. (we consulted the schools over the years and were brushed off; consulted a psychologist with little of value) I guess I am hoping to learn more about brain development variability as a possible factor. He is so clueless and disconnected about basic things that sometimes we wonder if something is wrong with him. Just for reference, tests very highly since he was a little kid on standardized tests like ERB, whipsee (?), ISEE, and most recently SSAT. Is it possible for a boy (now 15) to be so immature as to have an impact on grades and other activities.
You might want to try a psychologist who specializes in educational testing for high school kids. While this type of testing has a smaller academic section, it is for the most part for LDs and other issues that could be underlying your son’s struggles.
I suggest someone who tests with HS kids because they would also understand HS and college testing requirements for accommodations. The testing is not cheap, which is why many schools brush you off. The private tester should dig deeper with subtests, rather than the surface testing the school can afford. DD’s School testing showed LD’s, but listed them as undetermined cause, or some such, which got her accommodations but didn’t help in determining workarounds or services.
The more subtests, the more the psycholgist pays for use of test materials. I think this is a licensing fee–but if anyone knows for certain, I would like to confirm. DD is in college but may need to test again.
Good luck
Mom of DD with LD’s that weren’t easily apparent but presented similar to your son’s. Knowing her LD’s helped my DD’s self-esteem.
@Maystarmom Thanks. We tried to schedule this but most places had waiting lists. We scheduled this for January 2017 last winter! His academics are improving a bit but his issues are so odd. Very passive/low self esteem and/or confidence. Hates to ask for help wont speak up for himself. We even had labs done (testosterone/thyroid etc). Nothing. He is definitely on track puberty wise but very little facial or chest hair. Honesty wondering if he was somewhat late for that part of puberty. Very poor verbal and written communication.
@Center DD has a verbal retrieval learning disability which makes it hard for her to speak up for herself. For years everyone said she was just shy. This LD will affect her for her social life and career, and other people won’t know what is going on. Before she knew what the problem was she and others just thought she was dumb. Putting a name to it and learning something about brain chemistry helped her self esteem. I feel your pain about getting scheduled, it took us so long. We had no idea how to go about it, or where to look, and once we figured it out there were always waiting lists. We started down this path 15 years ago and all our resources came by word-of-mouth back then. DD has a couple of other LD’s that affect her writing, memory and reading, but she found some workarounds and accommodations once the LDs were identified. Not as easy with a verbal LD. Hope testing goes smoothly and results don’t take too long–I remember a lot of waiting for the final report. And then you have to digest it and decide what is actionable and what isn’t.
Kids on the autism spectrum who aren’t diagnosed in early childhood tend to be brushed off later as “fine,” especially if they’re bright enough to continue functioning passably in school. Same sort of deal for Inattentive ADHD, especially for boys, as it’s generally accepted that “those kids are hyper” and so if you don’t see that, they must not have ADHD. So you have a kid who tests as gifted but performs at average, and then the school wants to tell you that they’re lazy and/or their grades are “perfectly okay” so there’s nothing to look at. This, as you’ve already figured out, is crap.
Have the testing. If nothing else, as @Maystarmom pointed out, it can be essential for self-esteem for a kid who’s always floundered without really knowing why. Having a diagnosis often allows kids like this to realize they’re not lazy, dumb, etc… and if they’d secretly assumed such things about themselves, you might not even know. Knowledge is power and knowing what’s going on is only going to help.
@yankeeinGA This reply from you was the impetus --thanks again!