Ten Warning Signs That Your Child Is Having Trouble in School

Believe it or not, some children fly through primary school. Their grades are great, their teachers love them, and homework is never a hassle. As teacher, we've met tese kind of pupils in our career. Along the road from year one to year six, most kids hit a few potholes. As a parent, it can be hard to know which problems fall into the "don't worry, it'll sort itself out" category, and which ones require you to step in. Here are some of the signs that we can look for:


01. Your child works extra hard on homework, but still gets C's and D's. A temporary dip in grades can be normal and due to some fleeting problem, but a habitual disconnect between earnest work habits and good grades should make you suspect that your child might have an undetected learning disability.

02.You find that your child is constantly distracted while doing his homework. Sometimes homework problems are just a matter of needing a snack or a little time to play. Occasionally, a change in venue helps-some kids concentrate better tucked in their rooms away from any possible distraction, others have an easier time buckling down if they sit at the kitchen or dining room table while Mom or Dad bustles around fixing dinner. But if these measures don't help, think about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), a learning disability, or one of the conditions that mimics ADHD.

03.Your child usually does his work, but often can't find it when it's time to turn it in. Try some common-sense approaches to getting organized, but if these don't work, note that disorganization that severely undercuts a child's performance is a possible sign of ADHD.

04.Your child works hard and usually gets A's. The problem is, she seems overly upset at the prospect of getting anything less than an A. Children who are perfectionists sometimes suffer from stress-related symptoms (such as headaches or chronic stomachaches). They also may miss out on some of the fun of childhood because they are overly focused on academic success. It's important for these children to hear, early and often, that you love them for who they are, not for their accomplishments.

05.Your child works hard, but does much better in some subjects (say, math) than in others (say, reading). While it is completely normal for children to have academic strengths and weaknesses, if one or more subjects are proving to be an intense struggle, it may be a tip off to a learning disability.

06.Your child simply doesn't care about school work. It would be great if all children found schoolwork endlessly fascinating, but that simply isn't the case. For better or worse, part of what children learn in school is the ability to work on things that don't interest them very much. A child who doesn't care about school ought to be able to do passable work and still have plenty of time to do the things that really interest him (computers, sports, stamp collecting, etc.). When a child who says that he "doesn't care" also doesn't do any work, the poor attitude may be covering up Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), a learning disability, or perhaps even depression.

07.Your child is bored a lot of the time in school. Some teachers are more exciting than others, but persistent boredom in several different classrooms suggests something other than just lackluster instruction. Other potential causes to consider include a learning disability, ADHD, or giftedness. Children who pick up information and skills particularly quickly often face both social and academic challenges. A school learning problems assessment often can help identify giftedness, as well.

08.Your child complains that she has "no friends at school." If you only hear this every once in a while, chances are your child is just reacting to the normal social disappointments and strains that come with school life. If you hear it consistently, however, take note: Having friends and getting along is a tremendously important part of the school experience. A child who is struggling in this arena needs help.

09.Your child does his homework, but only after you nag, yell, and threaten him with punishment. This is a very common trap that parents fall into: The more responsibility they take for insuring that their child's homework gets done, the more irresponsible their child becomes. As a remedy, consider allowing your child to experience the consequences of his own actions (or lack of action) on the homework front. Turn the responsibility back over to him. Parents are often surprised to see their "irresponsible" children begin to take charge of their homework once the adults let go.

10.Your child never seems to have enough time to do her homework. Sometimes the problem is a learning disability as discussed above. But many children these days are simply overscheduled. They may have softball two nights a week, music lessons, dancing, Sunday school, and perhaps a school play! These children may need help setting priorities and saying "no." In the end, children who take on too much are not necessarily more successful. Although it may seem frivolous to leave a child with what an adult might dismiss as "nothing to do," some of the most important learning takes place when children are left to their own devices to wonder, daydream, and explore.

Source: by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.