These companies are out to make money. They often diagnose various problems and then amazingly get kids up to grade level using their testing methods when you buy their services. Here are some real solutions that will solve many students' difficulties:
1. I agree that you should talk to your son's teachers, showing concern and interest in helping is very important. Not all teachers are perfect people, but you don't get in the business if you don't want to help kids, and you don't stay in the position if you don't have a very high tolerance for meeting the needs of students. It's just that simple.
2. Request special ed testing if you suspect there might be a specific problem. Some schools are reluctant to do so, as special ed services are expensive. Be polite, but persistant. Try to be open to the results. If they do discover an area of disability - use what help the schools have to offer. I can't tell you how painful it is to see a kid who qualifies for services and parents who refuse the help! Parents who go back and forth each year hurt their kids the most. They wait until their kids are failing to seek help, and then deny there is a difficulty the next year until their kids are failing again. The they go through a whole cycle of blaming their child and/or blaming the teachers all over again. I'm not saying you are one of those parents, just a word of caution. Learning disabilities are often very specific, and if there is a way to work around one, your sons' teachers will try to find it. WE will also help your son learn to work around it, but we are legally only allowed to do this if his papers are official. WE really do want kids to succeed.
3. Many kids have trouble keeping things organized.Many parents don't realize this. Most kids want to succeed, they just don't know how. Some parents assume their kids are refusing to do homework, when in fact their kids lack an assignment book. In ES, ask the teachers if they could give you a schedule of assignments. Even a rough list will help you check your son's progress.
4. Get your son READING!!!!!! It doesn't matter if it is comic books or magazines, so long as he spends time reading every day. Most kids have an interest in something. If you can tap into that interest, you'll be helping him greatly. You might get your son into a hobby like acting (hidden reading, performing, memorization skills). Aquariums are another good hobby (biology, water chemistry, etc) Video games are not a great hobby (unless they are educational), but if gamer books get him reading, even that might be good (Though if he likes certain games, he might find science fiction or fantasy books to his liking) Your local librarian - or school librarian -will be happy to help your son find titles of interest for free.
5. Set an example - if you read every night, your son will copy you. If you sit with him every night and check his work this will help too.
6. USE PRAISE!! 9 times out of 10, (not always, but 9 times out of ten) kids who don't do well are punished when they don't do work, but they don't get an equal amount of positive attention when they do the right thing. Lots of kids use failing as a way to get attention from their parents. A great test is to try to go a whole week without using any negative reinforcement. Ignore anything wrong your son does - and only praise what he does right - even if it is only a little thing. Try the old addage - if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. (this includes using foul language)
7. Avoid using threats at all costs!!!!! (if you don't do x, you won't get x) Often kids see this as a test.
7. Don't expect immediate perfection. Change will be gradual. reward the little things.
Hope these ideas help!
Sylvan want 7000.00 for 2hr/2xwk for about four months-no way that is in my budget 
So these sites will be soo helpful-Thanks again 
