Dr.Varsha Manohar, Pediatrician and Pediatric Neurologist,

Brains Super Speciality Hospital.

 

What is poor school performance?

Poor school performance means your child is facing difficulty in school performance. This may be noticed by a drop in your child’s grades over time.

What are the signs of poor school performance?

• Not interested to go to school, or not going to certain classes during the day
• Having difficulty to complete homework
• Low marks in one or more class
• Not wanting to talk about school or show a report card
• Getting bored in class or not able to understand teachers instructions

What causes poor school performance?

• Medical problems- preterm, low birth weight, malnutrition, worm infestation, visual and hearing impairment, Asthma, Diabetes mellitus, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, hypothyroidism
• Specific learning disability (SpLD)- includes difficulties in the acquisition and use of reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia) or mathematical (dyscalculia) abilities despite conventional instruction, average or above average intelligence.
• Neurodevelopmental issues- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), Autism, slow learners and mental retardation
• Emotional problems- sexual abuse, chronic neglect, parents getting divorced Poor schooling, school absenteeism, bullying and over pampering
• Psychiatric disorders- anxiety, depression, mood disorders
• Environmental issues- too much noise, excessive screen time

What are the warning signs to look out for?

Warning signs that teachers and parents can look out for.

• Avoidance in reading or writing
• difficulty in summarizing text
• reading /understanding problems
• difficulty with spelling
• difficulty in learning the languages

How to manage poor school performance in children?

• It requires a multidisciplinary approach which includes a Pediatrician, Pediatric Neurologist, clinical psychologist, child psychiatrist, and special educator.
• Treatment of medical problems if any
• Treatment of specific learning disability- remedial teacher may be helpful
• Treatment of ADHD, Autism- by medications, behavioral therapy, speech therapy

Tips to parents-

• Read story books, teach them colors, numbers, letters before they are enrolled to school as this prepares them with learning skills.
• Ask your child to tell about the school every day, be patient and encourage your child to stay positive.
• Attend parent teacher meetings –this will help you to know if your child needs any assessment by doctor.
• Help your child to be organized and create a daily routine- appreciate your child’s effort by giving a reward.

Additional tips-

Healthy Habits:

Exercise regularly:

Eat a healthy diet: Choose foods that are rich in nutrients like protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids.

Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Limit screen time

Indulge in extra curricular activities like swimming, painting, dancing, singing

Conclusion-

Early detection and referral for assessment is essential in a child with poor scholastic performance.

Encourage parents to recognize their childs strength, support the childs learning needs and promote self esteem.