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ADHD... Not the cookie cutter kid in school.

Amanda - posted on 09/10/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

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I have a 8 year old who has been on ADHD/ODD medication for a couple of years now. He repeated kindergarten because I thought it was just because he was a young 5. I made it through 1st grade and seemed to be doing well. Now it has been a culture shock. His teacher states he is not where he should be and all the help he must have gotten to make it this far is not going to be available. She states she has 24 kids and no teaching asst that can be here to help him. He is an intelligent child and does well with encouragement and 1:1 help. The only problem is that the schools are not equipped to help this type of child. He just needs time and effort to be successful. I teach adults at a private college and do whatever I can to help them be successful. Why do I keep hearing about what the teacher can't do or what she is limited to during class time? NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND...LOL I think if they don't fit the mold or keep up they not only get left behind they are stomped into the ground and left for the vultures. I looked into private schools to get him in a school that understands his medical issues along with the scholastic concerns ($16,000-29,000). Ridiculous to ask a single mother to pay that. The tennis size hole in my wall shows just how much frustration he is feeling and my bags/dark circles are telling everybody that I am just as bent out of shape. What do you do? Move to another class, piss off the teacher, change schools? Will he be labeled as a difficult student? These are the increasing number of children that the government needs to focus on not the over achievers. My son won an award for the most improved last year and now they act like he is the dunce in class. How's that happen? Our children are just as smart and important as any other child.Help!!!!! I can't do the next 10 years of this hot mess. What happened to caring about our kids as teachers?

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Roxanne - posted on 11/11/2010

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What state do you live in? Does your child have an IEP? In Florida every child with an IEP is eligible for the Mckay Scholarship. It can be used to give you more options on where to send your child. We are in the process of transfering our son from public school to a private Christian school because I have completely had it with the way the his teacher is handling things. The scholarship covers 100% of the tuition at the school we chose. Other schools we would've had to pay a small amount over what it covered. Might be worth checking to see what programs are available in your state.

April - posted on 09/15/2010

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My husband & I got an IEP under "other helth impairments" for my sons ADHD/ODD at the end of his 2nd grade year. This allows his teachers to have extra ass. in the class with him, It helps greatly & they follow the kids from school to school, even state to state. However you have to push it. You have to make call after call to the school. Also helps if you get documentation from Dr. & his teacher. This is all covered under the "no child left behind" act Keep pushing the school & it will get done, but they will drag their feet. Hope this helps

Susanne - posted on 09/11/2010

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I have 2 children with ADHD. My oldest is pretty severe, and has dygraphia (a common learning disability for ADHD). My 2nd is just ADHD-inattentive type without a learning disability. I fought until 3rd grade that something wasn't right with my oldest. I am a special ed teacher, but I work with infants and toddlers, so I just got a nod and that he would be fine-he went to a Catholic elementary school. I finally put my foot down and called the local school district and threatened due process. His IQ is 143, but can't spell or remember basic math facts. I would suggest that you talk to the teacher, or principle about signing a request for assistance. There is no guantee of evaluation, but they will look at him for what he needs. He may not qualify for an IEP-Individualized Education Program, but may qualify for a "504 plan". You can find information on your states Department of Education's website. Look for anything that says IDEA on it. Often times, parents worry about their children being labeled. That is often the only way for children to get help. Just on a side note, a 504 will dictate more time on tests, placement in the classroom, etc. I know how you feel! I was the mom who "kept making excuses for his failures!" I am a single mom, too. And paid WAY too much for him to feel like a failure. We have moved to a public school that is great at special needs kids, and the difference in him is amazing!! We don't fight about everything- and best of all: he feels sucessful!!
As hard as it keep fighting for him, you are the only advocate he has! Good luck!

Oh yeah! you can find resources on the CHADD website, too!

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