[Halibut]

Since context is important in reading, would listening to books on tape provide the same benefit? Sincere question; I'm not being snarky.

Personal anecdote: I took an IQ test* as part of a college psychology class in the 70s and found out that my verbal score was very high and non-verbal was barely average. The instructor pulled me aside and said that much of a difference between the two (I want to say 20+ points) was indicative of a learning disability. I subsequently found out that I do have a central auditory processing disorder. It was interesting because I always did very well in school and was considered to be one of the "smart" kids. Goes to show how skewed education was at the time in favor of verbal skills. God forbid anyone ask me to multiply in my head or do anything mechanical/spatial, though.

At any rate, Ray, it might be something to think about for your son. As others have said, special accommodations can be given in class if needed. But then, some people are movers/doers and just find reading boring.


*WAIS-R, I believe.

[pbkmaine]

A few thoughts. First, let him read anything he likes, including comic books. If he likes the Hobbit, try Lord of The Rings. If he likes sci-FI and fantasy, there are great authors like Heinlein and Asimov. My parents, who were teachers, limited my TV time but never my reading, and my verbal standardized test scores were always 99th percentile. Second, if you try this and nothing improves, he may simply be wired for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). My dear goddaughter is like this, and we steered her towards engineering schools, where verbal scores were not as important. She is now finishing her senior year in engineering at Cornell. Think college grads have trouble finding jobs? She's not. Companies are lining up to hire her.

[RayinPenn]

Thanks for the many thoughtful responses - you have given me much to think about. I will let him choose what we read next but I'll provide the choices; I've found some diverse book lists that are recommended for HS students.

He and I both can spare 30 - 40 minutes each day; it's true I do have to wrestle him off his games but it hasn't been to bad - apparently Tolkien provides some interest. The trick will be to keep that interest going.

I don't think he has any disability - prior reading test have been fine. So did he just color in Christmas tree in the boxes? I'll never know.

I've always felt read, read then read some more but I like to read.

[2BNTV]

He is so lucky to have a parent who cares so much. You have received wonderful suggestions. I thought maybe he might be a person who has a hidden talent for something and gets bored too easily. Albert Einstein flunked math, because he was so advanced in his thinking.

FWIW - You might want to be aware of a subject/s, he does have an affinity for. Some kids are so bright, and maybe that needs to be, explored.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by RayinPenn

Thanks for the many thoughtful responses - you have given me much to think about. I will let him choose what we read next but I'll provide the choices; I've found some diverse book lists that are recommended for HS students.

He and I both can spare 30 - 40 minutes each day; it's true I do have to wrestle him off his games but it hasn't been to bad - apparently Tolkien provides some interest. The trick will be to keep that interest going.

I don't think he has any disability - prior reading test have been fine. So did he just color in Christmas tree in the boxes? I'll never know.

I've always felt read, read then read some more but I like to read.

I HATE the word disability. People who know me well, know why. I think that we all learn differently. Our oldest daughters closest childhood friend was discovered to have Dyslexia and she added listening to tapes of her books from then on. She has two degrees and is currently working on her third at the age of fifty. She is an intensive care nurse at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati and she is not only brilliant but so emotionally perceptive

It isn't that you can't read at all when you have Dyslexia. You just see and process the letters differently.

Young people learn in so many ways.

But if warmth and caring is involved...they all do a better job.