Seeking Advice Regarding Schools for a ADHD Type of Child

Dear V.,

I would agree that it's not the school's place to diagnose these things so I certainly wouldn't be pressured into meds. I'm no expert either, although I am an educator. A very close friend of mine is an awesome clinical psychologist here in chicago and she specializes in kids/adolescents... perhaps she could help?
Dr. Catherine Pines
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her office is downtown at Illinois & Clark....

it sounds like there's more going on in your son's life with the divorce... and simply labeling him adhd won't necessarily solve anything with his behavior...

good luck!
sincerely,
C.

1 mom found this helpful

Hello,
I'm a new special education teacher (just need one more test to be certified) I haven't had much experience with ADHD but you can get more information at:
http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/parents.htm
To download Parents right's or To request a copy of A Parent's Guide, call 217/782-5589.
Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs).

http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/ADHD.htm
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The US Department of Education has released two guides on ADHD for parents and teachers, Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Resource for School and Home and Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices. These guides are the first two in a series of three guides that the Department will release that addresses children with ADHD and school performance. The third guide, which is not yet available is: A Resource Directory for ADHD. The available document can be downloaded from http://www.ed.gov/about/pubs/intro/index.html?src=gu or you can order a copy.
Once at the website do a search of adhd
Hope this helps,
Bonnie

1 mom found this helpful

I am so sorry that you are being pressured to put him on medication. That seems to be what many educators think a child needs when they can't seem to figure out what to do with/for them. I am a teacher myself, but I am quite the oppposite. I believe it is the teacher and the schools responsibility to meet the child's needs. If you have to move him to a new school, please do. I hope you can find a good solution for you and your son. Do not give in to the fact they have decided that he has ADHD. That is a copout on their part.
If you would like to consult with me further, I would be happy to be a sounding board for you. Best wishes.
Gretchen

1 mom found this helpful

V.,

The school actually just did you a very big favor. Since this is what they "believe" he has, they may be able to provide accomodations for him--even without a medical diagnosis. Unless the state has changed it's rules, this is still true. Tell them that you want a consultation with the school psychologist. Tell them that you'd like an observation of your son in the school setting--the social worker or school psychologist would be the best person for this job. Also, it would be nice to get a sense of what these professionals have to say about your son since it sounds like the only people who have made this "label" is the teacher and principal.

They may want to do a full case study--but this can be done at any time per the parents request. He would qualify for what's called a 504 Plan if there are no learning disablities present. You should pressure them to take a closer look at your child's needs. Make the system work for you and learn the facts. There is no need to change schools or teachers. That will only add fire to the situation.

What are your son's actual isssues, by the way? Is it his grades? Or just behavior? What does your son say to you about all of this?

Hope it all goes well!

I don't understand why schools think they can diagnose.

My 6yo has ADHD, is not medicated (although we're open to it if he needs it as he gets older) and (not to say your son does have it) he has had the same experience of functioning very well in one classroom and terribly with another teacher. It's truly shocking to see how environment/teacher can totally change a child's behavior. If you can change schools that might make a difference.

If you are able to, have him evaluated by a private behavioral psychologist or neuropsychologist. If they are able to do a full series of tests and evaluations, they can tell you if he has ADHD, but also what his strengths and weaknesses are, what types of things might trigger problems for him, and so on. We saw Dr. Michael Appleby at Loyola in Maywood (not in your neighborhood, I know.)

If you are in a public school, one thing to think about is that a diagnosis that shows your son needs accommodations to help him to behave/sit still/whatever won't force you to medicate him, but it may be able to force the school, through IEP process, to accommodate his needs. For example, to let him get up and move around a few times an hour, or whatever is helpful to him to stay focused. I would consider going through with the evaluation process through the school - there's no cost to you, and you aren't bound to any course of action like medication, unless you agree to it. But the school is bound to accommodate his needs by law.

This is a very stressful thing, I know. Good luck to both of you and I hope you find some solutions and answers soon.