Is Your Child Underachieving in School?

Is your child underachieving in school? Are they super smart but scattered? Learn how you can help your struggling student in Bend, OR and the central Oregon area at Sara Wiener Consulting.
 
It can be so hard to be the parent of a student who is underachieving at school and in life. You know your child is smart. You know they are wired differently. You know that if they could just buckle down and do their work, they would do well and get A’s instead of D’s.

It’s so hard to watch this and feel powerless as a parent. Here are a few things to think about and consider.

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First, does your child have a diagnosis of ADHD, Sensory issues, autism or are they somewhere on the autism spectrum? Are they dyslexic? Sometimes it helps to know what their learning differences are so you can approach helping them in new ways. If your child struggles with getting their work turned in at school or they procrastinate and don’t get their work done, ask them what is in their way. Ask your kid if they know what their assignment is that day. Ask them if they understand the concept they are supposed to be learning. Ask them what they need to help them be successful. If they don’t have answers, it may not be because they are being defiant. They simply may not know the answers. We simply can’t get things done if we don’t understand what needs to be done. Period.
 
How can you best help your struggling student?

Ask your pediatrician. Do they think their kid has lagging skills? Do they think they have learning issues that can be helped? Might they have underlying mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or trauma? Does the doctor think you should have your child tested by a neuro- psychologist? Not all answers come from a diagnosis. But they may be the answer to getting your school to step up and help you and your child. It may be time to talk to your child’s teachers and perhaps ask for a 504. This is where you will get extra supports for your child at school. When this is done with knowledge and sensitivity, your child may end up having a far better school experience and you will be happier too.
 
If your child has executive function issues, that may be the reason they are underachieving. If they can’t remember what the homework is day to day, their working memory may be is the issue. If they are doing their work but not turning it in, it may be getting lost in the abyss of the backpack. As soon as they have to do something that isn’t fun or they aren’t good at, it’s much more likely to be forgotten or hidden or lied about.
 
Your child might just need some guidance in executive function strategies to help them get things done. If they write down their homework assignments, they are far more likely to do the homework. If they put the finished homework in a visible place in their backpack, it is more likely to be turned in. If they turn in their homework, they are more likely to get better grades. These small successes will build momentum, which will lead to new habits and higher achievement. Habits take time to become just that, a habit, so be patient. Start small.
 
To learn how you can help your struggling student in the central Oregon area and for more help with Executive Function strategies, contact Sara Wiener Consulting in Bend, OR for a free consultation at (541) 420-4961 or Email [email protected].