Fluffy:Chanced upon this. I found out that my son has this disorder when he was doing his second year in RI. He had missed some CA2s, and forgotten a few of his assignments and some of his teachers just won't believe anyone could forget such things. Well, he genuinely did.It is so sad to hear students and parents making judgement on other children about their intelligence level and the need to engage tutors despite being in a top school.
There is a parent from RI who had to engage tutors for almost all the subjects for their son because this boy is a special needs child and although his intelligence level is high but he is not able to follow through the school lessons due to his disability. Unfortunately, many people like to criticise without understanding the child's background. The parent was very unhappy as their son was periodically mocked by his classmates.
My son is also a Special Needs student with executive function disorder, Irlen Syndrom and APD although many psychologist, teachers and tutors who know him well understand his potential and abilities. He has to work harder than anybody else. I do not feel a need to explain his disability but have also receive many criticism for his \"fake\" intelligence level. I do not expect high academic performance level from my son as I believe as long as he achieve average result and has a well balance school life, is happy and gets along well with his classmates and friends, he will go far in his own way. My son is by nature non-competitive, easily contented and good temper. He gets along well with his classmates and seniors. I only wants him to have good memories of his school life in RI.
But RI is a great school, I have a lot of faith in my alma mater. I found an AEP teacher to teach my son art during recess for 2 or 3 days in preparation for an art portfolio. Even though my son's not in AEP and she is not my son's teacher, she graciously readily agreed. That portfolio got my son a place in a renowned university. He had finished his high school diploma (equivalent to 'A' levels) when he was in primary school.
Today, my son is a happy sophomore student doing Bachelor of Fine Arts in a renowned university at 15 years old. RI did it again. In an unconventional way this time. The school helped my son.
In the last 2 years in the university, my son no longer displays his executive function disorder. He is able to keep schedules, and like the psychologists predicted, he managed to find ways to cope with the disorder. He did not top the uni, but he is coping fine.
I hope my little story lends some wings to your heart.... Take heart, for every disorder, there's always another gift.
BTW, I have another son who is diagnosed with Asperger, a form of autism, but he is also in GEP and gifted. They labeled such kids 'twice exceptional'. We just deal with them, right? And, there's always a silver lining cloud. Every day just gets better!!! I try to remember that.