# How does my son find out if he has the aptitude for the skilled trades? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 19, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945 "2018-01-19T04:31:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/41 "2018-01-19T21:26:34Z")
He might do a lot better than you might think, even without any “aptitude”. Lots of guys in construction have no aptitude for anything except having a dislike for authority figures and failing math classes. That said, he’s going to need to a driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/42 "2018-01-19T21:27:30Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > He’s the one who expressed the interest. Personally I don’t see it as a match, but I say that as someone who it absolutely would not work for. He’s been working at Barnes and Noble, but it was a temp job that’s about to end (the store has already closed). He was never a builder, which is not surprising since I’m not either. Sorry, I misunderstood. Then by all means, he should look into it. Most trades do not require innate talent. Pretty much anyone can become accomplished as long as they have the desire. It’s not like singing or something where you need some genetic luck to be able to succeed professionally. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/43 "2018-01-19T21:30:44Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > You said he had a “previously undiagnosed disability” but your description of his failure in college didn’t sound like a diagnosed disability. It sounded like someone who didn’t want to be there. You said you “had him tested”. By whom and for what? What was the outcome? Just curious. Seems like maybe he failed through not doing the work and what’s really needed is tutoring or help dealing with whatever his disability is. No? It was undiagnosed in high school. We had him tested by a highly regarded educational psychologist, and the difference between his written communication score (bottom 15 percent) and everything else (mostly too 1-2 percent) was striking. Presuming he goes back to college (which my wife and believe he should do), he will be eligible for support from the disabilities office. He was an A student until his Sophomore year of high school. We believed (partly because he said as much himself) that he was being lazy). That was probably part of it, but imagine sailing through every class with almost no effort and suddenly hitting a wall. Something similar happened to me when I took algebra, but I was able to BS my way through college and grad school. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/44 "2018-01-19T21:45:12Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > He might do a lot better than you might think, even without any “aptitude”. Lots of guys in construction have no aptitude for anything except having a dislike for authority figures and failing math classes. > > That said, he’s going to need to a driver’s license. He’s pretty much come around to seeing the need for a license. He’s motivated to move out on his own. I’m of the opinion that the easiest path for him would be getting past the general ed requirements and getting a math-related degree. What he doesn’t comprehend yet is that any path involves doing stuff you don’t really wanna do. That said, he seems fine with going to work. If he could support himself working a a book store I have the feeling he’d do it. I know I would have at his age. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/45 "2018-01-19T21:55:01Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > We had him tested after Freshman year of college. He made a D in AP English, although he got a 4 on the AP exam. When it came to writing palers , he froze. He just didn’t turn assignments in and passed by acing the final. His spelling is excellent. Write a speech to deliver to a very highly educated congregation on Sunday? He leaves everyone impressed. Write a short paper on some book he was assigned (and enjoyed reading)? Forget it. You say he is disabled when it comes to written communication. Then you say he can write a speech. I don’t follow this. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/46 "2018-01-19T22:08:15Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > We had him tested after Freshman year of college. He made a D in AP English, although he got a 4 on the AP exam. When it came to writing palers , he froze. He just didn’t turn assignments in and passed by acing the final. His spelling is excellent. Write a speech to deliver to a very highly educated congregation on Sunday? He leaves everyone impressed. Write a short paper on some book he was assigned (and enjoyed reading)? Forget it. Frankly, this doesn’t sound like disability, it sounds like motivation. StG ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/47 "2018-01-19T22:11:58Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Could or couldn’t imagine that? I’m asking because if he could then it’s the direction he should be taking. If he couldn’t, I’ve heard that plenty of times, and said it myself, it ain’t as bad as it sounds. I could give him a couple of leads up here in the Boston area, nothing I know of right now in the DC area though. BTW: That’s where I grew up, in Bethesda, Maplewood, off Old Georgetown Rd. right next to NIH. Sorry, I meant to type “couldn’t.” He just finished house sitting for someone on Greentree. It was a lot easier getting to work from there than from home ( we’re in Silver Spring). ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/48 "2018-01-19T22:18:55Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > You say he is disabled when it comes to written communication. Then you say he can write a speech. I don’t follow this. It’s the type of writing that you have to do to get through college. I have a co-worker whose son has the same issue, and did well in college. It was detected earlier in his case, though. That’s why we always figured he wasn’t trying (same thing I was told when I was flunking algebra even though I scored in the top 15th percentile in the math portion of the PSAT and had A’s and B’s in everything else). ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/49 "2018-01-20T01:45:59Z")
Sorry but I still don’t see what makes this a disability or what exactly the disability is. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/50 "2018-01-20T02:05:50Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Sorry but I still don’t see what makes this a disability or what exactly the disability is. No need to be sorry. Explaining that is beyond my pay grade. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/51 "2018-01-20T02:41:23Z")
So if you don’t understand it, who does? ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/52 "2018-01-20T03:41:17Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > So if you don’t understand it, who does? Ummm… Professionals who are trained to run batteries of tests and make diagnoses, perhaps? I don’t get how students can speak extremely well but can’t write a coherent paragraph either. I’m just a simple hillbilly; what do I know? Contact the Meltzer Center at George Washington University if the diagnosis bugs you. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/53 "2018-01-20T14:25:39Z")
As others have said. Have him GET A DRIVERS LICENSE. That would also be an accomplishment that may make him feel a bit better. Buy him a beater car so he will be ready, when/if he needs it. It will greatly increases his opportunities. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/54 "2018-01-20T14:28:02Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > Ummm… > > Professionals who are trained to run batteries of tests and make diagnoses, perhaps? I don’t get how students can speak extremely well but can’t write a coherent paragraph either. I’m just a simple hillbilly; what do I know? Contact the Meltzer Center at George Washington University if the diagnosis bugs you. Meltzer Center can’t talk to us about your son … privacy and all … I’m with **kayT** here … someone is feeding you a line of total bullshit here … “professional” quacks is what you mean … these folks are trained to get the college MORE money is all … they pegged you as a hillbilly and they plan on cashing in on your lack of effort to find out … maybe the high school didn’t diagnose him because they were honest and were unwilling to torque a child for money … Pray tell … will you _at least_ state what exactly the diagnosis is … there should be a specific code from DSM-V that we can look up … have you even bothered to check? … did you arrange a second opinion? … you don’t seem to be taking this very seriously, so why should we? … I’m sorry, he was able to learn LinAlgebra in high school, he can learn to fabricate written Englishing at the college level … he just doesn’t want to … send him to the Army if you want him out of the house … ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/55 "2018-01-20T15:04:10Z")
Plenty of people graduate from college with learning disabilities. They’re all over this board. That doesn’t mean those learning disabilities don’t exist but it is questionable if they would prevent someone from graduating from college. Not graduating from college is neither a crime nor a sin, if he doesn’t want to do it, that’s his decision. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/56 "2018-01-20T15:13:54Z")
I doubt it’s a true disability. It does sound more like a motivation issue, which we can all relate to. If someone said they’d give him a million dollars to write a short paper about a book, I’m sure he’d be able to do it. You should be cautious about leaning too hard on the disability diagnosis. It has the risk of enabling a lack of motivation in him. It gives him a medically-approved reason for not having to to apply himself or push himself to do something he doesn’t want to. But it is a great sign is that he has expressed interest in a career field. Encourage him to go in that direction, but don’t make all the decisions for him. If he says he wants to be a plumber, be his biggest cheerleader and say “Yeah! You’re so smart, I bet you’d make a great plumber!” But don’t start looking for plumbing jobs and tell him to apply here and there. Let him figure things out and come to you when he needs help or has questions. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945/57 "2018-01-20T16:08:26Z")
A lot of assumptions are being made here. I got the info I was looking for. We have the documentation for him to be eligible for services when he returns to school. I’m not going to get in a pissing contest with people who feel the need to tell me how ignorant, misgudied, or naive I am. I appreciate those who answered my original question: how I respectfully withdraw from the discussion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-son-find-out-if-he-has-the-aptitude-for-the-skilled-trades/806945.md?page=2)