Why, Why, Why?

poet123

duchy wrote: »

My ex husband (who incidentally is probably undiagnosed Aspergers) always had huge issues with writing and his writing looked grim.
As an adult he works in a very high profile role for a global IT company and literally never writes-He uses the tablet/laptop for everything. It hasn't held him back in any way and he's in his forties so a lot of the technology available now wasn't available to him when he was starting out (but what was he made full use of).

I'm a mature student and the technology available to students with writing difficulties is unbelievable (and funded at degree level). So long as he knows HOW to write (which he does) there is no reason to focus huge effort in what is a non vital area at the expense of other things as well as self esteem.

I know exactly what technology is available as I work in the field and am AMBDA accredited but I still believe that 7 is too young to give up on someone with Dyspraxia and simply say use an Ipad.

I agree that parents need to keep on top of the situation with schools and monitor what is happening but surely that is what most decent parents would do anyway? I don't necessarily think it is a case of "shouting loudest" but of being informed and vigilant if your child has issues that need addressing.

Terryandrews

Look for a local Parent Partnership - they are a great help

mumps

poet123 wrote: »

I know exactly what technology is available as I work in the field and am AMBDA accredited but I still believe that 7 is too young to give up on someone with Dyspraxia and simply say use an Ipad.

I agree that parents need to keep on top of the situation with schools and monitor what is happening but surely that is what most decent parents would do anyway? I don't necessarily think it is a case of "shouting loudest" but of being informed and vigilant if your child has issues that need addressing.

I don't think it is a question of giving up on writing but of not allowing his problems with writing to hold him back with everything else. He is still young and his fine motor skills will almost certainly improve even if they are always something of a problem. I think taking the pressure off writing is positive.

poet123

mumps wrote: »

I don't think it is a question of giving up on writing but of not allowing his problems with writing to hold him back with everything else. He is still young and his fine motor skills will almost certainly improve even if they are always something of a problem. I think taking the pressure off writing is positive.

I agree, and there are strategies out there to do that even if the 15 mins a day is adhered to.

Add into the mix the fact that boys are always further behind girls in terms of handwriting, and the fact that some boys never really produce anything more than "acceptable" writing which is why schools focus a lot on it.

My youngest son is a straight A* student but his handwriting is dreadful because he has mild dyspraxia.

tinkerbell28

I do get some frustrations as I've been down this path twice, it would seem with a lot more severe complications and it does feel like a battle.

That said, I don't find going in headstrong quoting the equality act gets the best results.

The school get on the defensive and you start working against each other. Go in for a calm meeting, with a witness if you feel necessary and TALK. Write things down.

I do agree with the school though fwiw. The less time on the ipad the better. Writing is essential, even in today's world.

You've got to practice. Even with children and difficulties. I'd have been devastated if my child's school just gave him an Ipad.

He had severe learning difficulties, now classed as moderate, couldn't write a thing properly until about 9, still messy....he was ok to go to mainstream school at secondary as they "forced" him to write, in primary and do hard work, work that pushed him. My god did it lead to some hard times.

Now however he is growing up and wanting to become a graphics designer. So I'm glad he was pushed hard. He may realise a dream.

conradmum

My son had his writing torn up in front of him by the headteacher because it was messy, so I take comments that schools do their best to help children with difficulties with a wry smile.

I agree with other posters, in this day and age writing by hand is fast becoming almost entirely unneeded. Most people only hand write forms, and even those are often filled in online. The days of copperplate handwriting being a valued skill are long gone, even if education is lagging in understanding that. I imagine in the not too distant future handwriting will become similar to knitting - a skill people learn for fun, but unnecessary for day to day life.

OP, I think you just need to keep on top of the situation at school, and be sweet but persistent. Once they understand that it will take them less time and effort to help your son than deal with you then things will go more smoothly.

And do be aware, if you aren't already, that your son may not tell you if he has problems. I only learned what the headteacher did because his class teacher told me.

tom9980

I agree giving up is not wise I am disabled if I gave up and allowed my various issues to become an excuse to not try and better myself where would that leave me? If a child is in mainstream expectations should be the same as any other child with some allowances made. The school allowed an iPad but it should not mean he should not continue to try and write.

My mum worked in a special school she taught lots of very disabled children to read and write some of whom experts told her to not even bother, perseverance, understanding, patience, hard work and lots of time allowed them to make progress. I have no doubt that at 7 it's too early to give up!

I agree with duchy too schools cannot cope with problem children the resources, training and moving a child from teacher to teacher each year leads to a failed flawed system.

holgate79

sh1305 wrote: »

This is completely different though.

No, it isn't. It shows how children who can have great difficulty with handwriting can develop legible handwriting with the right support and encouragement.