phtthp:

The Inability to focus, during tests and exam(s) -

Is getting common.

ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, utistic, and normal children below aged 19 having \"difficulty to focus in studies\" issue -
Is on the rise.
Yes, even some NT kids also have this issue.

As such, MOE together in joint collaboration with Hospitals in Ministry of Health, have planted several REACH teams in Schools since 2007 -
over various zones in Singapore schools (north, south, east, west) -
To help parents in dilemma, to tackle this issue, seek help early.
The earlier you seek help, better for your child.

What is REACH ?
http://www.nuh.com.sg/patients-and-visi ... -west.html

These psychologists are trained professionally.
They go to Mainstream schools, to help your child overcome, step by step :-
lack of attention
cant focus, day dreaming in class
poor concentration
demotivated, lost interest in studies, slowly leading to poor self esteem.
http://www.spark.org.sg/Three_Prong_Approach-LR.pdf

Hi phtthp,

How do we know about this reach program in school? I last time heard about it in preschool too. But my preschool wasn't in the selected list.

I pretty much don't know about what is happening in school. I also didn't approach the form teacher much. Cos I think she is already up to her neck.
Only on and off then I email the AED but the response has been quite slow as well.

I am now taking it as no news means good news. And seeing son loves going to school as a positive sign.

Niu2009:

Hi nugget,

Have you tried let him do test paper at home? Like mock test? Practice at home do help him. When he was in K, got any problem to finish his worksheet or spelling?

Hi,
Yes, we are practicing with him at home. But he tend to just talk to us, check the clock, Stare into space.. and when I tap on table (which is a cue).. he will sometimes continue to do or sometimes just laugh and talk about other things.

I guess he is aware that it is not a \"real\" setting so is very relax over it.

When he is in K, he was in CC environment, sad to say teachers didn't care about him much. Partly also due to him not around most of the time due to Eipic. Also there are 2 teachers to 28 kids. They just left my son alone, only when they have time then they will teach him. So even if my son don't do spelling or worksheets, is he sort of being excused. We wasnt even sure if he can make it to mainstream or not during that time.

Hi Couragemom,


Thanks. I think KKH did send them a recommendations of where he should sit and help he needed. However I don’t think they have implemented it cos he is quite tall. Cannot be seated in front.

AED told me she will be in the class to give him prompts so he can get started on his tests. My OT teaches me to tap on the table. So we are practicing that with him at home. Tap table means continue to write answers.

Yes now we are practicing papers with him. But he often talk to us, getting distracted and all. And worse thing is he keep checking the timer i set for him… see if time is up. Then not doing his work. I need to condition him to know how to take test papers.

Let me try to request to have him sit right in front of the class… first row during exam. Hope it helps.

Thank you for your tips!

Hi all,


Haven’t been updating a while. Been busying with work and kids at home. Its the exam/test week now.

I need some pointers from parents. My boy doesn’t seem to understand what is exam and the seriousness of it.
So far there have been bite size tests. Sometimes he does very well. Sometimes he fails… After discussion with teachers, we realized that he cannot focus on doing his test paper because he is easily distracted or nervous due to the time limitation.

I tried to implement cue cards but was told by teachers need to get MOE approval.
We are not to sure how long the process will be and if we need to update the contents of the cue card, we would need to submit again??

Although we are not harp on about getting good grades. But I really hope he don’t fail because if he fails, it might affect his self esteem.

How do you get your child to focus and do papers? Will be really grateful if anyone can share tips.

Couragemom:

Hi Nugget,


Can your son ride a 2 wheels bicycle? If yes, does it take very long to teach?

Couragemom,

Not yet. I always asked if he wants to try but he say next time. His OT say to try loosen one wheel first. Then slowly then loosen the other wheel to make it as 2 wheels.

Couragemom:

Hi Nugget,


Any sports that needs our kids to do bi-lateral moves such as left leg/right hand out etc and balancing is good for their motor development. Swimming has an additional sensory input of water against skin.

Hi Couragemom,

Yes, he has already started on swimming. I feel its really helping him to be alert. He loves to ride bike too.

Was thinking of letting him learn TKD at least some self defense skills.

Yes Mashy,


Cos this one just at my void deck only. I went to see the training. So so quiet de. i think if a pin drop, you can hear it. Yup maybe I go to the other RC, there also have another Taekwando class.

Does Taekwando really help? I see the Taekwando at my area, the coach is very fierce. I am quite worry about signing him up.

I think that reaction is part and parcel of growing up. Maybe he is getting more familiar with the friends and surrounding so he is trying to push his boundaries?

Or your son find the lesson boring so can’t wait to move on to the other part.

My son always change and change as well. But core values are impt to teach them. Like no hitting other kids, be respectful to adults. Always play nice and take turns.

Keep observing and see where this leads to.

Last year when I was out with my sister, my son actually had a meltdown… My sis saw how I have to dealt with it and I explained to her what was the trigger and this is how he is like when he has a meltdown.


Then I resigned and said, "Nevermind, at least end of the day, I always have him by my side and he will always have me until the day I am gone."

My sis said something which touches my heart. She said "You should not think that way… you should always believe that one day, there will be a girl who will see through all these, accepts, understand and love him for how innocent and simple his is and truly want to be with him." I am really glad my sister think of him that way.

I never see my son in that way before. But what she said is right. My son indeed is very nice to be with. Innocent, simple and sweet in his own ways.