To tell the school or not

Jennifer - posted on 01/25/2009

yes!  i was worried about the lable too but soon realized that 1. they will start asking whats up and 2. they then have to provide addition reasources that your child may need.  working with the teachers helps a great deal.

Amy - posted on 01/25/2009

Definately tell the school, they can actually help and work with you if they know.  It will benefit your child and your family.

Danielle - posted on 01/25/2009

I was in the same position, but when I finally told them, it opened up doors I never knew existed. The school can be your strongest allie through this and offer programs for your kiddo to help with schooling and behavior issues that can arise.

Deb - posted on 01/25/2009

I just notified the school regarding my 8 year olds new diagnosis. They can help them as far as getting the support they need in school. They have the right to be tested differently if need be. My son was having focusing issues in school and it was getting in the way of his learning. By the school knowing, he can now get the extra help he needs to excel.

Hayley - posted on 01/24/2009

YES! You cant keep this from them, they are there to help & Im sure his not the only one in the school! My sons schools have been very helpful and patient & given him lots of extra surport and there are times where hes is completely off the wall & so they understand that & try & help him! They are there to help your child hun, not to label him

Monica - posted on 01/18/2009

Hi there. My son was diagnosed with ADHD in Kindergarden. I went and had a talk to the teacher about it and then they were able to help him out better and understand why he acted the way he did at times. I think it would be best to let them know about his ADHD. Good Luck:)

Shawna - posted on 01/17/2009

Yes! please tell the school. My son who is 6 and in kindergarten now was in special ed for preschool but they moved him to mainstream kindergarten. There was some miscommuncation and his IEP was lost so the teacher had no idea he had ADHD. When I saw his teacher at back to school night I had mentioned his IEP and asked how he was at transistions to find out they had no idea and the teachers quote was "WOW now that explains everything. Im so glad you said something to me". ADHD is not a disability but the teachers understand that sometimes a child with ADHD like mine needs a little extra. His teacher allows him to stand while working, it doesnt disrupt the other kids but he cant sit still even with the meds. Focus is also an issue with kids with ADHD and my sons teacher now says "I going to give instructions now" before she says the actual instructions to get his attention so he doesnt miss anything. Having the teacher on your side is a blessing, I keep in touch with them because they are the first to let me know if they see any changes in my son that maybe its time to up the dose or lower the dose. One thing also he my son has been exited from his IEP because ADHD is not a disability but a 504 plan will be put into place, this has the teachers give an special accomadtions for your child that will help him, as in my case they allow him to stand while working. Good Luck

Debbie - posted on 01/16/2009

I think you should tell the school.  But don't let anyone tell that it is a disability.  I'm not sure about whether child is hyper, but the attention deficit part really means that they learn differently.  I recommend reading Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World.  This book gives a lot of suggestions for helping your child succeed in school.

Debbie

Nancy - posted on 01/16/2009

I Remember this. First, I would say it was important for me to change the way  I look at ADHD.  The choice I had to make is to see ADHD as a Deficit or a GIFT.  Why a gift?  I have 2 ADHD sons, both now in thier 20's. I have found that most with ADHD are very bright and simply look at the world in a different way. I have found that they are very creative and find find unique solutions to problems.  I have found they are very caring and sensitive.  These are qualities we look for in successful adults. Isn't this a better? 

I am a former teacher ,so I would tell the teachers.  They can make or break the school experience.  They can make accommodations that wll enable your child to be successful. They need to understand who you child is to meet these unique needs. I would meet them before they meet your child so you can tell them about your child before they meet. Tell them what you know about who your childis and  learns, reacts to new situations and the like.  Anything you know as a mom about how to help your child be successful.  Let them know you want to help them help your child.  Remember you were your childs first teacher. You will always know your child better than them because you have spent more time with your child in a variety of situations.  A book that I found helpful was 'How to Reach and Teach ADD/ADHD Children' by Sandra Reif.  It has many helpful solutions for teaching and accommodating children with ADHD.  I actually gave one to the teacher /school to use as a reference when they needed it.

Concerning the label.  Better that the teacher understands there is often a reason for your childs behavior than just believing that he/she is lazy, stupid, a trouble maker, a bully or any one of the other things kids get labeled. At least ADHD provides a diagnosis with a body of research that can help deal with the challenges that arise.

My last bit of wisdom, if you would call it that, is learn as much as you can about ADHD. You are your child's BEST advocate.  One source that helped me alot was C.H.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Atention Deficit Disorder).  It is a national non-profit with a wide variety of members and professionals who reasearch and advocate for individuals like our children.  In many communities they have support groups that meet once a month for support and to learn about ADHD.  For me, this group provided a network and support system that was invaluable when times were tough. Good Luck!

Nancy

Pat - posted on 01/16/2009

I just went through the same situation with my son..... the results are pending.

Kelly - posted on 01/15/2009

Definetely tell them. My son is 10 diagnosed at 7. He has been non-medicated for over 2 years, I have had to tell 2 teachers that he was non-medicated ADHD and watch the color drain from their faces and horror in their eyes. They though have been so helpful, keeping me informed of classroom behaviors and letting him run errands if they see him getting "ansy". He has maintained an AB average until this latest report card which was not pretty and many of the comments were regarding his inability to focus, so his teacher and I had a chat and decided to see his Dr. about a non-stimulant medication. Her input has been extremely helpful in making the decision to remedicate.

Kristi - posted on 01/14/2009

Yes, let them know. I told my son's teacher and she has been more patient with him. She didn't label at all. She appreciated the fact that we told her so she could approach things differently with him if he needed extra help.

Shannon - posted on 01/14/2009

I Have a 8 yr old boy and a 5 yr old girl and both have adhd. I Have found it to be very helpful to involve their teachers . I too was worried about my children being labeled as "problem children", but as Ihave learned the insight of their teachers has helped in the maintenance of the disorder. Our children cannot be with us 24 hours a day and what better person to keep you updated on your childs behavior than the teacher who spends most of the day with them . My childrens doctor has a questionare that i send to the teacher every month. This paper tells him how their behaviors are and if they are having side effects to the medicine.Ihave found this to be most valuable in making sure they are on the rtight meds and that the dosage is right for them. i hope this helps you in making your decision.

Sherrie - posted on 01/14/2009

My son is 11yrs old and in the 5th grade. He has ADHD. I am very upfront with his teacher's regarding his behavior,school work, etc...He excels in science and math but reading he has trouble with. His teachers are all very helpful and understanding. He is put close to the door, it is his job to answer the door. That way he gets up periodically through the day. Since he is in the 5th grade, our school district rotates classes at this age. He is not sitting in one desk all day long. He takes Focalin XR and it is great. He does not have the appetite problems that he had on some of the other meds we tried. I believe you should be up front and honest with his teachers and be in constant contact so they know that you are keeping an eye on him.

Pat - posted on 01/14/2009

1 in 4 childen and adults are diagnosised daily. You are your childs advocate and everyone in the school should know. It's nothing to be ashamed of and the schools need toknow how to deal with your child. Labels are everywhere, I went through that as well until I took a parenting class for ADD/ADHD and new how to move the system to my child's advantage.

Sandra - posted on 01/14/2009

My Son is nearly 10 and going into year 5 this year i have always told his tearcher as he would rather read than do his work and the teacher is more considerate etc ive had meetings with the school on how to best get him to learn more and the school is helpful.if you dont be honest you child could be thought of as naughty first.

Mira - posted on 01/13/2009

Thank you all so much. I worry but really think the "stigma" probably doesn't exist as much anymore. I love that I can get such great feedback, you are all great!

Wendy - posted on 01/13/2009

My 7 1/2 year old son has been diagnosed with ADHD since age 3. I tried many different ways to deal with his problems in school, but nothing seemed to help. An acquaintance introduced me to the 504 plan. It is a plan of action set up between parents, teacher, counselor, and a 504 representative that set up minor "tweaks" in the school day that might help. For my child, this means that when the school takes the standardized tests where children have to stay seated for extended periods of time, he goes with a few other children with similar attention issues to a smaller room. There he takes the same test, but if he needs to stand up while taking it, he can. He also has intermittent hearing loss due to allergies and scar tissue from repeated ear infections, so the 504 plan takes that into consideration, too. In the regular classroom setting, I requested that he sit toward the middle-front of the class, to cut down on distractions, such as the hallway noises, the pencil sharpener, etc. The 504 plan, along with the medication, seems to help him to be more successful. Unfortunately, the 504 plan is not something that is advertised much. The school and I met upon my suggestion. I recommend that you find out who the 504 representative is in your school and set up a meeting to discuss how this plan might help your child achieve.

Heather - posted on 01/13/2009

I agree with Carmen.  I am a teacher and I have two children one with ADD and the other with ADHD.  I personally know that it is helpful for me to know if a child has ADD characteristics.  I completely understand the "stigma" that used to be attached to children with ADD/ADHD, but being in the profession, it is more common than you think.  Carmen is right in saying that the school can give you some great advice and resources to tap into in helping you deal with your little spark plug. :)  Good Luck.

Carmen - posted on 01/13/2009

Absolutely!  Telling the school will help your son.  You would be surprised how helpful the staff and teachers will be.  They have resources to help, both you and your son.