Hello all

[amcfanny]

Stumbled across this place over the weekend. Been looking for a place where I can get support. I have a 7yo boy with inattentive adhd. He's also gifted (141IQ) and has a mild case of tourettes syndrome. We started medicine (concerta) for the adhd at the beginning of the school year and for the tics (clonidine) in January. The big problem for us is his inability to complete his work at school and the length of time it takes to do homework. I don't think the concerta is really helping at all. I just get so upset with him getting penalized at school for not getting work done. I live in Florida where ADHD is not considered a handicap and doesn't qualify him for an IEP.

Glad I found this place and thanks AnneM for helping get in.

[Linda]

Hi amc and welcome...I think you will enjoy your stay...we all come here to share and support one another.


If you don't think the concerta is working...call your Ped. I am sure there is something that will work for your ds. Maybe it is something as simple as changing the dose.

[amcfanny]

Thanks for the welcome...I'm feeling better already just reading all the different threads knowing I'm not struggling all alone. I'm a tad bit upset with the teacher today cuz with just 3 weeks left of school, she felt she had to move him to a different desk to get him to focus better. He and I both know that it's not the location. I wish teacher's had more education on how to handle kids with ADHD.

[DANIEL]

hi there nice to meet you
sometimes you have to try a few diffrent things before you find somehting that works, like linda said maybe a higher dose, or a difrent type. i was on concerta for about a month and it didnt work very well for me, i was on ritalin and that worked great, i know that doesnt make much sense considering they are pretty much the same drug but one is longer lasting, but who knows. its diffrent for every person. sorry to hear your having trouble with the school. just wanted to say hello
daniel

[SKay]

Hello! It's good to have another Floridian here. Our numbers are growing. My DS isn't in a public school or on meds so I'm not much help, but I wanted to welcome you. I know there will be others who will be able to help you.

[amcfanny]

Hi Daniel and Skay. I was wondering how many floridians were here. Can't get an IEP with ADHD in florida. The only option seems to me is homeschooling. I need a thread on how to survive in school in florida with adhd.

[finnmom]

:)AMC and welcome.

I´am sure you´ll find a lot of support, as well as fun, from here. We all come here for the same reason, we´´re dealing with same thing´s , so we know what you´re talking about.

So when you live in Florida you cant get IEP by adhd only I find all those state-legislature thing´s pretty confusing in U.S. something is o´kay in somewhere and not in the next state...

I would also call your ped. about the med, if you see it´s not working, then you have to start seaking for something that does work.

Anyway, welcome again!!

[camismom]

amcfanny said:

I wish teacher's had more education on how to handle kids with ADHD.

and welcome to the family!

I read that part of your post and thought "oh yeah, me and her will get along just fine!" Teachers are a constant complaint of mine.

I am in neighboring Georgia so I can't help you with the IEP issue, but what about 504? Is that available there?

[amcfanny]

Thanks for the welcome...not sure about the 504 thing - will have to look into that. Last time I was pushing for stuff - in January during a crisis, the advice I got was you don't want to modify his curriculum too much:
1. he will learn to perform to lower standards
2. starting in 3rd grade kids start noticing if you're getting special treatment - calling attention to yourself
3. you do have to meet certain standards for a regular diploma

I haven't looked into the ts aspect...if things get too much I could maybe get an IEP for the TS which includes clauses for the ADHD. I just keep telling my kiddo if it ever gets too much for you - let me know and I'll start home schooling.

[tridlette]

Welcome! sorry to take so long in saying Hi, I was away for a week.

I have 3 boys, 14, 12, and 10, all gifted with IQ's 139 to 147.

ADHD is not that uncommon with our gifted kids... the teachers have their agenda, and our kids rapidly exceed the teacher's goals. If the teacher can't occupy the kids constructively, they occupy themselves creatively, or, in the teacher's eye, disruptively.

I always tell my boys that they are "efficient" and learned the material the first time, and not everyone is as quick as they are. They may be different, but their differences are GOOD differences.

I finally got too crazy dealing with the middle school by the time the 2nd boy got their, and I pulled him out. Then I lost it with the elementary school, so he is home too.

But, thanks to "Sorka", another member on this site, I found the Virtual Charter School. It is a public school, paid by taxes, and supervised by certified teachers. We do the curriculum at home with a support teacher. We have a "public" curriculum and have to take the state standardized tests, but we don't deal with peer pressure. Because the boys have documented learning disabilities, they have an IEP, but here in Pennsylvania, they also qualified for Gifted Ed. and had a GIEP as well.

What we do in the charter school really isn't any different with the IEP, since we have small classes, extended time when needed, and accelerated classes too. We do our own course compacting, and still meet the state requirements for attendance.

The program we use is available in Florida, www.flva.org/

Sorka uses the Ohio Virtual Academy, we are in the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School. They are all part of K12, which was started by the former US Secretary of Education.


Also, if you want to start learning the in's and out's of gifted ed. Look at www.hoagiesgifted.org

There is an overwhelming amount of info there!

Hope this is helpful. Most of all, come and visit us here, and we can share our good days and bad days... hopefully many more good ones than bad!

Laurie

[amcfanny]

WOW - thanks for that info and those links! I'm definately going to be reading it all today. Looks like a possible option when we reach our breaking point - or for middle school/high school. How do you make up for missed socialization? My boy wants to stay in school cuz he likes spending time with the all those kids. He participates in the gifted program and really loves that.

I think I'm suffering from mushy mommy brain. My kiddo is really 8yo. He reminded me yesterday - duh.

[amcfanny]

Just finished looking over that virtual school. I like it - now can I talk my kid into it. I'd give anything to get rid of all the pressure of imcomplete worksheets. I'd probably be able to get rid of the medicine or cut back on it too! I see how they work on the socialization aspect. Thanks a grunch!

[AnneM]

amcfanny and you are very welcome!! I am so glad you got here !! ...

AND I can see you have already met several of the "gang" ...

Welcome aboard ... its good to have you here .... and I look forward to seeing you around the board ...

[Amsmom]

amcfanny!!!! so glad to see you here!!!!
i live in florida and my ds has an iep based on adhd. im in miami-dade county, does it differ by county? your ds sounds like such a great kid!!!!! and btw, i LOVE your picture, i love the way he hugs you around the neck, soooo adorable--------both kids are precious!!!!!!

[amcfanny]

and thanks....hmmm...on IEP...was your kiddo struggling grade wise? My guy has A's and B's and I think that is the sticking point that disqualifies him. I should beat on the guidance office door again...and get educated more and write it all down cuz I get so confused. I tell ya for someone who has a pretty decent report card - he puts up with alot of grief for not getting those silly worksheets done at school.