Dear Therapist:
My 16-year-old son has a slight learning disability and has never really been able to sit still all day. Now he is in mesivta from 7:30 am until 8:30 pm. He is not doing well in yeshiva and his menahel suggested that we take him to therapy. I am not sure what/how that can possibly help. It isn't a mental health issue but more likely he just isn't cut out for his schedule. Do you think therapy would benefit him? How could a therapist help? What other suggestions might you have?
Response:
It sounds like the menahel’s suggestion may be based on his sense that your son’s trouble with the school schedule may be related to issues other than simply his learning disability. Certainly, learning issues can cause your son to have trouble focusing for long periods of time. However, other factors may be involved.
Not only can learning issues make it more difficult for your son to learn, but they can sap his energy—due to the higher level of mental focus that it can take for him to keep up. Additionally, trouble learning can lower your son’s positive feelings about himself. This can lead to an increasing sense of futility, especially in an environment in which he feels that he cannot compete with his peers.
Another possibility is that your son may have symptoms of ADHD that are unrelated to his learning disability—or which are exacerbated by his trouble learning. Since higher mental and emotional output is required for someone with learning disabilities, this can seem like trouble with attention and hyperactivity. It can be difficult to discern ADHD symptoms from those ddirectly related to learning difficulties.
If your son feels badly about himself because he compares himself to his classmates—or there are other symptoms that the menahel is noticing, these may be what the he is picking up on. Without a better understanding of the menahel’s specific concerns, a clear recommendation cannot be made.
I suggest that you have a meeting with your son’s menahel, rebbeim, and teachers. All aspects of the situation should be discussed, in order to achieve a better understanding as to the sources of their concerns. They should be made aware of the extent of your son’s learning disability in order to help separate learning issues from other possible problems. If a school counselor or a special education professional is involved, they should be included in the meeting to help in this process. If not, you should consider having someone who has worked with your son join the meeting to help the school to get a better understanding of the whole picture and all its parts.
Yehuda Lieberman, LCSW
psychotherapist in private practice
Brooklyn, NY | Far Rockaway, NY
author of Self-Esteem: A Primer
www.ylcsw.com / 718-258-5317
Disclaimer
The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only. Nothing contained in this blog is, or should be considered or used as, a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider or delay seeking it because of something you have read on the Internet, including on this blog. We urge you to seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. In case of emergency, please call your doctor or 911 immediately. The information contained on or provided through this blog is provided on an "as is" basis, without any warranty, express or implied. Any access to this blog is voluntary and at your own risk.