A lot of kids crossed my path when I worked as a guidance officer in Queensland schools. They were the kids who mucked about, had trouble learning, experienced friendship difficulties, were victims of bullies and so on.  There were children who not did like school for various reasons.  Figuring out their problems usually helped them as learners and getting on at school. 

There was one case that went on for years and one I could not crack.   The boy's name was Ryan and he  was referred to me when he was in grade 3.  The concerned teacher and deputy principal described Ryan *"as a reluctant worker who does not engage in learning.  They wondered if he was a slow learner or had an intellectual disability."*     

I started with optimism  that Ryan's problem could be unearthed and with assistance get the help that would change his negative nonchalant attitude to learning.   I did what I normally do when a referral came to my desk; I observed Ryan in class and in the playground, I talked with Ryan, interviewed the parent, the teacher and the deputy principal.   Then satisfied that administering an intelligence test would be helpful to determine whether there were cognitive reasons why he would not engage in learning.  The results showed that Ryan was operating in a low average to average range of cognitive ability.  There were some specific weakness in this profile which undoubtedly were due to his lack of interacting with learning.  

A learning support plan was collaboratively designed by the mother, the teacher, the deputy, the learning support teacher and myself.  

Did it work you might ask? Did Ryan turn into an enthusiastic learner and want to be at school?   The answer is unequivocally NO!

Compared to other kids who generally respond positively to receiving such a multitude of support, Ryan persistently demonstrated a significant lack of the want to learn.  He showed a no care attitude.   Only when he had one-on-one support Ryan would attempt his work other than that he did not participate.  Instead he laid over his desk or wandered around the classroom.   Support continued but to little avail.  Ryan persisted as  a non-learner in the classroom.  His acting out behaviour increased and by grade 7, he had become a behavioural problem and a bully in class due to his boredom and growing learning difficulties. And yes, on a few occasions he was known to run away from school. Reluctant Ryan was always brought back to school by a policeman or the principal.

The high school teachers worked hard at providing a practical hands-on program for him. I felt buoyant at hearing how well the teachers were catering for Ryan. This feeling fell flat when I happened to run into his mum one day who let me know that 15 year old Ryan had dropped out of school, got his girlfriend pregnant and spent his time at home.  He was not working.

Yes, Ryan was a lad who comes into my mind when I contemplate about the kids who had difficulties with school and learning.  It could be said that he was one of my big failures.   The control was always in Ryan's corner and it is not possible to make any child do anything against his/her will.  

 One thing that nags at me is not meeting his dad.  Despite the school and I really working at getting him to school to be hands on with Ryan's education, it did not happen.   Even Ryan's mum could not get her husband to school.    I suspected that there was more to what the mum was telling us but there was nothing more we could do.  

There was an option of home schooling but Ryan's mum did not want to do this.   She said that he would be as resistant to learning at home, he did not like to follow directions. 
  
In our sessions together I can still hear Ryan telling me that his dad worked at the ‘Council Dump’ and that his dad did not like school either.   Ryan's  plan was to work at the ‘dump’ like his dad!    I  wonder if he is now?

To me, this case was a complete failure for the school system but if a kid is not willing to try there is nothing that can be done. 


<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP2G1Y1MBx52HxBiUHcuej9kJbFHUSNV3XwKkW5zaMfiW/New%20Note.jpeg)</center>




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Cheers


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[Part of this post is taken from my blog on Wordpress - *Educatingparents.org*
the photo is sourced from google}