<p>I agree with everything 2college said. Well, that is except for the big words at the start that I didn’t understand. The key similarity between our approachs is : be proactive now. This is not something to avoid or work around. Good luck.</p>
<p>Wedgedrive - I agree with everything 2collegewego said about a written language disorder (or expressive, but probably more problematic in the written “output” form) - think about the neural processing that is involved from ideas/information in the brain to organizing that information to motor planning to execute it, etc. - this is where the struggle exists - not in the understanding, at least presuming that your daugther has a weakness in this area. Often these kids are not identified because they essentially get by and make progress - their weakness is more apparent on timed writing, or in class writing, etc. Since it is late in the game to think about getting evaluations done from the school, consider an independent evaluation with a speech-language pathologist who specializes in learning-language disorders. Of course, you could ask the SPED department at your school if you could arrange an eval with the SLP who sees high school or at least middle school students if they can do one quickly - make sure they do higher level testing of language skills that includes writing. If you tell me where you live I might be able to point you in the right direction for private or univeristy based SLP. To really look at processing speed, however, you should consider a neuropsych evaluation. A neuropsych evaluation will give you a great profile of strengths and weaknesses that could be very helpful in developing a plan for college. I think it’s probably too late to get one done in time to help with the college applications. </p>
<p>This is a very misunderstood disorder (I am in the field) as students can often produce reasonable work with adequate time and good support (rubric’s etc). Otherwise bright students who can verbalize the information may come across as weak in knowledge, language skills, via their written work, etc., because of this disorder. A student on a 504 Plan could still do well at one of the colleges you have listed because the 504 Plan would clarify the issues for the professor and provide a road map for interpreting her work and for helping her, or accommodating her. </p>
<p>Another thought is to discuss your suspicions of a writing disorder with the English teacher and/or last year’s English teacher. They may be able to provide some insight into the Cs - are they just from the written assignments or do they also reflect usage grades, or comprehension, etc. Maybe ask the Guidance Counselor to arrange the meeting to determine if there is something that can be reflected back to the schools that might frame the grades differently. I agree with curmudgeon about being proactive. Some kids are not identified with subtle learning disorders or weaknesses until college. Just be sure the evaluator is experienced in the area of “higher level language skills”.</p>
<p>Rileydog, 2collegewego & curmedgeon, thank you so much for your help. I think I will talk to our daughter’s English teacher. I like the idea of a summer course in writing or a writing tutor. I have been thinking the problem was undiagnosed ADD, but focus is fine for math, music, science, reading. Rileydog, I would like to take you up on your offer of a possible referral of a SLP, assuming you know of one in our area. (How can I tell you our location confidentially?) I think you all are on the right track that it is an undiagnosed expressive language difficulty…In 2nd grade she was tested because she appeared bright but was slow in completing her work. The only thing that showed up was a large discrepancy between V & Performance IQ. Everything was above average, so no services were offered. So, the irony here is that on the one hand her English teacher told us she is concerned about how D will fair in college, and on the other had, D received today her letter confirming her status as NMF! Bright kid, but with some learning differences.</p>
<p>Curmudgeon, good for your daughter that she was able to work out her learning issues. </p>
<p>THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH, THIS HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL!</p>
<p>NMF - wow - congratulations! Great news and something that should also help your daughter re: colleges!!! If you want to private message me, I think you can click on my name and the option pops up. I am in the Boston area so that is the area I am most familiar with. However, I might be able to help you find someone in another area.</p>
<p>Wedgedrive, I sent you a PM (private message) look in the upper right hand corner of this page, and click there…it should say something like “one message” next to the blue letters that say Private Message.</p>