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Institute For Motivational Development Of Illinois, LTD

Children who are underachievers usually exhibit eight or more of the tendencies listed below, though a thorough evaluation is always recommended before that conclusion can be reached.
Does Your Child Lack Motivation? Is Your Child an Underachiever?

1. Your child scores average or better on intelligence tests, but consistently brings home poor grades.

11. Teachers report that the child is almost always behind in school work and lacks self discipline.

2. Teachers have been telling you for a long time that "he doesn't apply himself".

12. Makes excuses for poor grades like "the teacher is boring", "the class is irrelevant", or "I had a bad day".

3. Too much time is spent watching TV, playing computer games, or not doing anything constructive.

4. Too little time is spent preparing for classes or doing homework. May even claim that there is no assigned work.

14. Spends more time and energy working at getting out of tasks than completing them.

5. Shows little initiative in doing household chores. Is not a "self-starter". Must be nagged.

15. Appears to make no realistic plans for the future. In fact, refuses to seriously discuss it.

6. Is immature in relationships with adults. Sees any criticism as being "picked on".

7. Often fails to complete projects, or loses interest even in things he says he wants.

17. Becomes angry when things don't go exactly the way he wants.

8. Does his worst in the important subjects like Reading, Math and English.

18. Cannot save money regardless of how much he earns or is given.

9. Procrastinates. Answers most parent requests with "later"or" in a minute". Leaves school projects until the last minute.

19. Lacks self confidence especially around kids his own age.

10. Seldom accepts responsibility for personal failure. Tends to blame "bad luck"or other people.

Remember, most underachievers will deny they have a problem. It is you as parents who must make the decision to seek help.

For more information on motivating underachievers, call 630-627-5000 or
email us at inforequest@imdofill.com

A noted lecturer, consultant and practitioner in the areas of counseling and motivation, Dr. Pecaut is a graduate of Loyola University, DePaul University and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Since 1971, he has conducted workshops on underachievers and been retained as a consultant by school administrators, counseling groups and industry. He is one of the recognized leaders in his field.

The Institute for Motivational Development is a private practice group of professional educators, psychologists and licensed counseling staff members, specializing in the treatment of underachieving adolescents and their families since 1971.
Broadly speaking, underachievers are individuals who do not consistently apply effort. Their failures and marginal performances are caused by lack of persistence. They choose those alternatives that do not lead to true independence and increased options for the future. They deny that what they do now has any impact on tomorrow. They cannot see or admit that their inability to complete tasks and assume responsibility will lead to continuing failure in the future.
The situation of each underachiever is unique but resolvable. The staff at IMD and I have experience working with underachievers since 1971. From our treatment of over 15,000 cases we isolated four kinds of underachievers and specific treatment techniques for each kind. The results of our work demonstrate that the underachiever's basic fear of the future can be replaced with an optimism about handling life's challenges and assuming responsibility for success or failure.
If you have concern that someone in your family might be an underachiever, a senior staff member or I would be pleased to review your situation in detail and explain how our services would be of assistance.
Most underachievers deny they have a problem; it is you, as parents, who must make the decision to seek help.
Linnus S. Pecaut, Ph.D., Founder

Dr. Pecaut is the Clinical Director and Founder of the Institute for Motivational Development, which has offices throughout the Chicagoland area. IMD specializes in the assessment and treatment of underachievers. In addition to this program, IMD also offers a wide range of other counseling and evaluation services for individual adults, children, couples and families. Dr. Pecaut also has a subspecialty in Christian therapy and issues related to religious conflict.
Dr. Pecaut obtained his Master-of-Arts degree from DePaul University in 1967, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from the Illinios Institute of Technology in 1970.
Dr. Pecaut has presented his theories of motivation to over 75,000 school personnel throughout the United States and over 150,000 parents. He has been a subject of feature articles in major newspapers throughout the country as well as having appeared on over 400 talk shows in major cities.
As a management consultant for over 15 years, Dr. Pecaut has developed assessment procedures for predicting the success of upper and middle level managers. He has also provided corporations with a systematic approach in the selection of all levels of personnel.
In private practice since 1971, the central premise that runs through all of Dr. Pecaut's work is his belief that underachievement is more a function of personality development than intellectual or academic deficits. His theories on the successful treatment of underachievement focus on the elimination of emotional issues that interfere with development, as well as the need to emphasize the basic virtues of persistence and obedience. True motivation and self assurance are based upon the process of experiencing one's self in the face of increasingly complex challenges. True commitment is to the process of self-evolution and not to specific outcomes.
His second book: The Making of an Underachiever: Growing up in the Shadow of Sucess -which Dr. Pecaut completed in August 1986, focuses on the theme that the success of the father and the underachievement of the son are linked together and rooted in issues prior to the son's birth. The personal driving force behind his national practice and work is the goal to bring the father back into the American family.
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In addition to the programs for underachievers, IMD offers other special services for adolescents and their families.

Couples: Pre-marital, marital, blended family, post-divorce and mediation.

Available for the underachiever who has a specific academic or developmental difficulty.

This program provides professional counseling to assist couples, individuals, and families with interpersonal skills and interactions.

This program provides employers and employees with a counseling resource to assist in dealing with job-related and personal problems such as stress, substance abuse, career counseling, family problems, etc.

The Institute for Motivational Development is a private, professionally staffed
organization providing educational and psychological counseling to young people
and their families.

Each of the counselors at IMD, under the direction of Linnus S. Pecaut, Ph.D. has, at the very least, a Masters Degree. Because of the complexity of motivational problems, IMD staff members are specialists in different fields. They include psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, and special educators. Christian therapists are also available.

While every underachiever requires an individualized program, generally speaking, IMD's counseling takes the form of regular weekly sessions and biweekly meetings with parents. Parents and family are usually enlisted to help in the process and to understand the objectives. In most cases, with regular counseling, better grades and a more positive attitude toward school occur within one school semester's time.

The initial interview for our underachiever program is done entirely at no charge. A portion of client fees are usually covered by health insurance. A review of all cost takes place at the initial interview.

How do we go about making an appointment for our initial interview?

Please call the number below to make an appointment. Plan on both parents attending the initial interview without the child. Appointments are usually Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday unil 1:00 p.m., based on location.

IMD offers parents consultation on how to help them identify the early signs of habitual underachievement and teaches them how to interrupt these patterns before they become a confirmed lifestyle.

INSTITUTE ENABLES YOUNGSTERS TO MAKE ACADEMIC STRIDES
The Institute for Motivational Development, located in southwest Lombard, has been providing evaluation and treatment services for underachievers and their families since 1970. more...