I have two boys ages 6 and 7. Grade 1 and 2. I held the 7 year old (almost 8) from going into Kindergarten as he was too socially immature. I have been trying to figure him out since he was 2yrs old. I had him tested despite what people said to me about labeling your child with a disability. He is in the 98th percentile for IQ and has been written up as a genius along with having anxiety, sensory issues, and Tourettes. Knowing all of this has helped me change my behavior to help him. He can't sit still, ever. My brother, who was put on Ritalin when he was a child, is also a genius and has told me that he was bored in school and got into trouble a lot.
My younger son who is 6 has been in full time Grade 1 for 4 months now and has been in trouble off and on with the teacher. He is out of control silly. Likes to push stuffies in people's faces or put his face in others' faces or likes to be on the floor and growl. Last Friday is was rolling on kid's desks and laughing. All of this in a happy silly way. He can't finish his list of things to do when he gets in the classroom. Take off coat, put lunch in cubby, put on shoes etc.... He gets distracted, can't remember what he is supposed to do, doesn't care what he is supposed to do. I have him come in 5 min early now so he can get those things done before the kids come in and distract him. So far we are making progress. The teacher has sent him to the principals office twice for a talking to. It worked for awhile. We have a point system for both of the boys. Social points, Active points and Learn points. We try to catch the boys doing good more than bad. $1 equals 1 point. They earn their allowance this way. I can barely find anything positive about the behavior of my younger son as he doesn't listen, can't remember, and doesn't care when you punish by taking away his "currency". No soccer, no video games, we have even stripped his room of all toys and stuffies and he has been in a time out, stood in the corner, pulled him out of hockey, and nothing worked except for those points. We realized that he is on a different spectrum than our older boy. His "good" behavior that we give points for is barely acceptable behavior for the older boy. My sons have to achieve a min # of points on all 3 columns in order to be allowed to spend them at the toy store. It is working. I just have to remember catching him doing good things. Its tough to keep that in your head at the start . The teacher belittled him last Friday, told him she's sending him back to Kindergarten and yanked him out of the room, hurt his arm and dragged him with his heels digging in, to the Kindergarten class. He was of course crying and screaming and there is now an investigation going on and the teacher has not been seen at the school. The teacher can't handle him. He does so fabulous with one on one attention. He is the happiest kid you'd meet. Never starts trouble, never unkind, tells the truth, very loveable,and sweet but so DARN SILLY. I asked the school to answer a questionnaire in October so I can get him tested like my other son. I need to know what I am dealing with or what I am NOT dealing with so that I can change my behavior to help my kids excel. I am looking into food testing now as well as formal testing. Dr. Rapp's work is interesting. Google Dr. Rapp, the Donahue show and Food and see what you come up with. I suggest that your son be the oldest in the class as you can always give him harder work but you can't move the class socially down. Also, this will boost his self-esteem to not always be on the bottom. I suggest doing the point system and researching behavioral reactions to food. Formal testing helps if there is actually something there . You need to know what you are dealing with. My goal is for my boys to have healthy self-esteems. I know you will find a way to help your son as you are seeking information and that is a great start. Good luck!