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Post by Linda on Sept 14, 2005 6:40:21 GMT -5
So you think your child has ADHD! Teachers tell you he is easily distracted. Friends shy away from activities that include your child. Other children make fun of your child. Relatives say he is immature for his age and will snap out of it. You've checked the lists and he fits the criteria. Now what?
Contact the School
Contact the school guidance counselor and begin a relationship with those that are in a position to help. Set up a meeting with the guidance counselor and the teacher(s) to discuss your child's progress. Make it clear that you want positive steps to ensure your child's progress. This is not a "bash your child" session. DO NOT allow it to become one. Take notes and ask for specific examples of misbehaviors:
Walking around during class
Sharpening his pencil often
Looking out the window, at the other kids, at the floor
Losing his supplies
Not handing in homework you know he has done
Get as many specific examples as you can.
Work on Specific Accomodations
Ask the teacher what special adaptations she is willing to put into place. Some examples are:
Seating him in front
Tapping his desk when his mind seems to wander
Writing homework assignments down
Giving extra time for homework/tests
Set up a meeting the following month. Use this time to look objectively at behaviors and come up with some possible solutions. Review what is working and what needs changing. If necessary continue monthly meetings. Once you receive an official diagnosis, bring it to the school to be kept on file, should special education be required.
Start the process with the school as soon as possible. Many teachers are willing to make reasonable adaptations. It is in the best interest of your child if all the major adults in his life are willing to work together.
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Post by Kaiti on Sept 14, 2005 7:05:31 GMT -5
 Good points Linda, and i have heard all of the immature, lazy comments about Mikey. Communication is the key. I sent an e-mail to all of the people that I know are going to come into contact with my son. Regular teacher, art, music, gym, library, all of the teachers that might possibly decide to reward the kids with a treat of somekind, just to remind them that Mikey can't have alot of what kids are getting today. As for the "bash your child" session. DO NOT sit and think that just because a teacher or other person has been in the educational field for years, they are absolutely correct in their method that might not seem to be working. Speaking as a before and after school child care employee, I am always open to new ideas and accommidations. That is the way that it should be. All of the kids that come to our program aren't the sit down and be quiet type....then again that would drive me batty  If there is a problem, I want a parent to come to me and say, "CAN I HAVE A WORD WITH YOU?" Remember, you are your child's best advocate
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Post by Linda on Sept 14, 2005 8:42:37 GMT -5
Paul did all of this  in elementary school!!! Walking around during class Sharpening his pencil often Looking out the window, at the other kids, at the floor Losing his supplies Not handing in homework you know he has done. |
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Post by Kaiti on Sept 14, 2005 9:07:54 GMT -5
Well, if Mikey does his homework to begin with he would forget to turn it in ::)Then after a weeks worth of work, the teacher would tell me she hadn't gotten it... Well, you are hte teacher, it is your class room. One teacher had a basket so every morning she would remind each child to put their folder in the basket, then she would go check to make sure. This was while everyone was getting settled :Dso it wasn't taking alot of extra time |
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Post by funcat on Sept 30, 2005 21:04:09 GMT -5
Linda,
You did a great job summarizing this information.
I recently confided in another parent (friend of DS) about adhd diagnosis, medication, stuggle to get to the point we are at... and how things are going so much better. She was stunned, and said "that sounds exactly like my DS, in fact the teacher last year addressed it". She has been tiptoeing around her husband, and avoiding the issues (crying during homework, rarely finishing classroom assignments...).
I hope to direct her here if she brings it up again.
Thanks!
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Post by Linda on Oct 1, 2005 5:02:56 GMT -5
FUNCAT....YOU ARE WELCOME  |
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Post by AnneM on Oct 2, 2005 13:29:40 GMT -5
Linda, You did a great job summarizing this information. I recently confided in another parent (friend of DS) about adhd diagnosis, medication, stuggle to get to the point we are at... and how things are going so much better. She was stunned, and said "that sounds exactly like my DS, in fact the teacher last year addressed it". She has been tiptoeing around her husband, and avoiding the issues (crying during homework, rarely finishing classroom assignments...). I hope to direct her here if she brings it up again. Thanks! Linda this is great!! funcat this is pretty much exactly how Sam's diagnosis started ... i.e. someone talking about it and my sitting there thinking "Hang on ... hang on .. what you are describing is SAM!" Oh I hope your friend will now take the necessary steps !! ... and she is several steps ahead having you as friend who has "been there, done that" already!! |
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Post by Linda on Oct 2, 2005 17:27:35 GMT -5
How I wish I would have had someone with me when Paul was dx  I was so scared....but I educated myself because Knowledge really is Power |
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Post by AnneM on Oct 20, 2005 12:16:08 GMT -5
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