Dr LeCrone
05-21-2006, 10:15 PM
Many parents have a child who they believe could be doing better in school and wonder whether the may be an underachiever. This is a common problem, and it should be attended to if the parents are concerned.
You may wish to check the following indicators of underachievement and see whether your child falls into this category.
Your child scores average or better on intelligence and achievement tests, but consistently brings home poor grades.
Teachers and others involved in your child’s education have said he is not applying himself and not making a good effort.
The child seems to lose interest in things quickly and frequently fails to complete a task, even when it is something he says he would like to accomplish.
School reports indicate the child lacks self-discipline.
The child spends a lot of time and energy working to get out of tasks rather than completing them.
The child will do well at times when he wants to.
The child has a poor self-concept and little confidence.
Many parents confuse underachieving with learning disabilities. It is true that some of the characteristics of learning-disabled children also may be found in underachievers. It is necessary, however, to differentiate between the two because the method for helping the child differs in many ways. Normal adolescent traits may appear to be problems of underachieving. Children who watch too much television or don’t seem to be interested in reading may come from environments in which the parents are openly or perhaps subtly promoting such activities.
Parents confuse underachievement in school with a lack of initiative by the child at home. Improper child-rearing techniques may be at the root of the problem at home. It is amazing to me how often parents don’t really understand or even care about their children’s progress in school and take little time to find out how they are doing.
If you suspect your child is an underachiever, ask the school to make a thorough evaluation of the child’s academic potential and progress. Schools now have trained personnel who can assist in the diagnosis and remediation of underachievement, disabilities and emotional disturbances. If the school does not have the staff available, school officials can recommend someone to perform these often complex assessments.
Parents can help an underachieving child. Do not neglect to attend to this matter or it may become worse or cause other complex problems.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1987
You may wish to check the following indicators of underachievement and see whether your child falls into this category.
Your child scores average or better on intelligence and achievement tests, but consistently brings home poor grades.
Teachers and others involved in your child’s education have said he is not applying himself and not making a good effort.
The child seems to lose interest in things quickly and frequently fails to complete a task, even when it is something he says he would like to accomplish.
School reports indicate the child lacks self-discipline.
The child spends a lot of time and energy working to get out of tasks rather than completing them.
The child will do well at times when he wants to.
The child has a poor self-concept and little confidence.
Many parents confuse underachieving with learning disabilities. It is true that some of the characteristics of learning-disabled children also may be found in underachievers. It is necessary, however, to differentiate between the two because the method for helping the child differs in many ways. Normal adolescent traits may appear to be problems of underachieving. Children who watch too much television or don’t seem to be interested in reading may come from environments in which the parents are openly or perhaps subtly promoting such activities.
Parents confuse underachievement in school with a lack of initiative by the child at home. Improper child-rearing techniques may be at the root of the problem at home. It is amazing to me how often parents don’t really understand or even care about their children’s progress in school and take little time to find out how they are doing.
If you suspect your child is an underachiever, ask the school to make a thorough evaluation of the child’s academic potential and progress. Schools now have trained personnel who can assist in the diagnosis and remediation of underachievement, disabilities and emotional disturbances. If the school does not have the staff available, school officials can recommend someone to perform these often complex assessments.
Parents can help an underachieving child. Do not neglect to attend to this matter or it may become worse or cause other complex problems.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1987