5th grader who does not stay on task

[Guest guest]

The school is struggling with keeping my son, Drew on task. He is 10-

1/2 years old and in the 5th grade. This has always been an issue,

but they are now expecting more from him, because we are half way

through the year and he should know the routine. Drew shows classic

signs of ADD, but I truly think it has more to do with his

Dysfunction of Sensory Integration and learning disability.

However, I do think that ADD techniques could work well for him.

The teachers want Drew to pull out his book and all other material

needed without being asked. Drew spends 27% of the time pulled out

of class for services. Drew often comes back to class after they

have switched subjects or tasks. He is expected to look around to

see what the other kids have out and then get that material out

also. (This I am totally on board with and think he can do this. I

am told that he is not getting him books and stuff out until he is

verbally prompted)

The second issue they are seeing is he plays with the stuff at his

desk or talks to the kids around him instead of working on his

assignment. He will not do his assignment until he is put in a small

group or a teacher works with him. Part of this may be because; Drew

his LD puts him several reading levels behind other 5th graders.

Every assignment is frustrating for him. However, he will not even

try the work on his own. It could be an emotional issue that he

doesn't want to try; I am currently on a waiting list for

counseling. In the mean time though, can I hear the techniques that

others are using to keep their kids on task?

The desks are in groups of four, with the children facing each

other. The teacher talks to the kids from different parts of the

class through out the day. Class size is 24 kids with one teacher

and an aid who is assigned to another child. Drew has a resource

teacher assigned to him 18% of the time for in class.

Their idea is to use a chart and if he completes his work for each

scheduled actively or assignment he will earn fake money to buy

prizes with. This has worked some in past years, but as soon as he

starts doing well the school stops using the chart. The school

started using the chart a few weeks back, but they haven't seen any

improvement. I think they have been so inconsistent with the chart

it may no longer work.

If you have made it to the end of this posting, I thank you for your

endurance.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Heidi :SAHM to Josh 13 yrs; Drew 10-1/2 yrs, DSI, verbal Apraxia,

word finding difficulties, IEP for LD/ED; 6 yrs, few medical

issues fructose intolerance, abnormal heart beat-PVCs