11 Year Old Doesnt Remember

Hi S.,
You son sounds like my daughter. I just thought I would say that I later found out that She had a eye problem called sciotopic sinsitivity syndrome. I hope I spelled that right but she hates to read, and nothing I do changes that. When she reads she can keep her place and it gives her horrible headaches. It also makes it all most impossible to retain any thing she reads. Jus tthis past year while using her color filter she found a book she actually liked to read. it was a little below her grae level but she read the entire book so I didn't mind. Ask you sons school to test him. Maybe he really doe get a headache from reading.
E.

I agree with the response you already got. You should also be aware that it might be a vision problem. Have you had his eyes checked? If you need a place to take for an eval let me know. I have several different places you can take him.

Good luck,
C.

Have you had him tested for a reading disability? It could be a simple battle of wills, but it seems strange that he'd rather go without tv shows that he likes rather than spend a little time reading. Also, what types of reading material do you have available for him? Is he into sports? Maybe get him a stat book. What about video games? Get him a game that requires that he read in order to operate the game (I know it's a little outdated, but I have a friend who got her son to LEARN to read when the Pokeman games first came out; he wanted to play the game, so she refused to read it for him). If you've tried giving him books that are related to his interests and the grounding from tv has been going on for over a week or two, I'd look into the possibility of him having a reading problem. Often kids who have difficulty reading would rather do ANYTHING than deal with the problem. And, many manage to make it through several years of school without being discovered. I dated a boy my junior year of high school that could barely read because of his dyslexia. He had made it that far and never received any special tutoring to learn strategies to cope with his disability.

same problem with my 10year old.

S.,

Without sounding like a "know-it-all" (by the way this is the husband) it sounds as if there is something that isn't quite complete for him. It seems like there is a little more to what he is thinking than he doesn't want to read. We have an 11 year old son as well and we've kind of learned to read between the lines on his behaviors, as they are indicative of an underlying issue. He opens up to my wife more than he does to me, so it is a HUGE blessing (she is the step-mom). Just grabbing at straws, but is there a male influence (older - father/dad type)? If so, maybe he just misses him a lot lately...

Thanks for listening. :)

JE

Both previous answer are very good ideas. But if I understand what you said, your son still watches TV, just your 2 year olds shows? then that's not taking TV away from him. My 8 year old will watch the news just so she doesn't have to play. I limit usually only one hour a day to TV, and I let them do computer games because most of what we have is learning games, they just don't realize that's what's happening. I get my girls to read at least twice a week to keep their memory on what they've learn so they don't lose it during the summer. I have heard kids will lose a month of school knowledge if not practice some during the summer. For a younger child I feel that's a lot. I would also take him to the Library, get his own Library card, this would or should interest him into reading since he could choose his own reading materials (with alittle supervision, I usually just make sure my girls can read it and the books are not to difficult for them).

One other suggestion, my cousin makes her kids read and do chores to earn TV time. She has a similar issue with her boy in doing chores. I wish you the best.

S.,

Is that what's next for me? I have a six year old son and he can be the same way. The challenge with him is that he loves to watch t.v.and read. So, if we restrict the TV, he's ok with it because he'll just go read. Who doesn't want their son reading, right? And, I know some may not agree but perhaps you can tie some imcentives to him reading. IF you read a book/week you can do or have... Becuase you know the improtance of reading, by any means necessary get him to do it. Have you checked his vision? MY mother tells us stories about my older brother (who is 40 today) had trouble in school, couldn't read, wasn't focused , etc. and it took her until he was in late elementary early middle school to realize he had a vision problem. But also, I think you hit it on the nail when you said LAZY. A part of that is boys are lazier than girls and sometimes (most times) are less focused. I can tell my son to go do or get me something and the very next few seconds he is engaged in something else. And, I believe it is because he has trouble focusing, which is just BOYS. I'd say keep praying and working with him. And, continue to give him tasks and opportunites to be responsible and focus. Is he involved in any sports or extra activities? Does he have chores? Even though my son can be a "boy", he has some chores (at six) that he is responsible for like feeding the dog and pullin gthe trash cans inside. Everyday when he comes in the first thing he does is feed the dog and give him water. I know tha't his dog and he really loves him but that shows me that he can be responsible and focused with that, which means I will keep on him until he gets it in other areas too. I hope that helps Next topic....In terms of your career options, are you looking for something form home or outside of the house? Either way, I may have something for you. You can e-mail me at ____@____.com if you like.

Take Care,
S.

I agree that you should find out if he has a reading disability. You might also consider if he might have ADHD. Your school district should evaluate him. You should request it in writing. Say that you suspect a learning disability and an attentional problem. Say, "I ask for this under Specila Education Law." in your letter. They have 60 days after you request and give permission for the evaluation to complete a report. They have another 30 days to have a meeting with you. Go ahead and make the request now. The good news is that, with the right teaching almost anyone can become an effective reader. The bad news is most school districts do not consistently give good teaching for reading.