If your child seemed happy before school age, then after time made excuses to avoid school assignments, it is worth looking into to see if the challenges of the regular work is causing confusion and a struggle.
Seek out professional testing to see if laziness or an undiagnosed learning disability is at the root of trying to avoid the assignment.
Kids think of all kinds of excuses to avoid academics, but maybe it is because they really can't do what they are putting off tackling. And to the observer it looks like they are being lazy.
An easier learning disability to observe is Attention Deficit Disorder. But even this may just be one seemingly overwhelming disability masking another. Kids can have more than one learning disability.
One of my relatives has ADD and Irlen's Syndrome in combination. He is an adult now who has put the energy to productive use and wears special lenses that aid the Irlen's Syndrome. A happy ending.
Some signs children may be not lazy, but just unable to grasp the academic work, followed by what the learning disability might be are:
- Have trouble getting into and completing a task requiring reading. Dyslexia.
- Be unable to recount the order of events in a story; have trouble comprehending the message in a story, even though being able to read the words at or above grade level. Hyperlexia
- Confusing symbols, letters and numbers. Can you imagine what a challenge even simple math is with this disability. Dyscalculia.
- Headaches while reading or after reading. Irlen Syndrome .
- Poor or sloppy handwriting leading to the avoidance of writing assignments. Dysgraphia.
- Ask inappropriate "w" words such as who, what, when, why. Hyperlexia.
To help develop the whole child, rather than just the academic child I recommend finding an extracurricular activity they are interested in and can excel in, such as a sport, artwork, or music - singing or musical instrument.
Let the child try out several avenues at an after-school program or community center to see where their talent lies. Self-esteem is helped along tremendously by being successful in an activity!
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Article by Susan Kramer
