Teachers and ADHD - ADD / ADHD Message Board

lvnmyboys · 03-06-2002, 11:54 AM

My nine year old son exhibited ADHD-inattentive signs at the age of 5. In order to keep in public schools we medicated with Ritalin. He just started taking Adderall. Up until now he has been an average/above average student.In Jan we noticed sneaky behavior, like sneaking and eating outragious amounts of candy and lieing. He has lost a great deal of weight and become very combative. I have removed him from school a total of 5 days, because the teacher was so frustrated with him. He wouldn't do seatwork and she was just couldn't make him. His psychologist and psychiatrist have diagnosed him with severe depression we tried Zoloft and now we are trying Welbutrin. I have noticed recently he can accomplish his work even after his ADHD medication has worn off. We are still waiting for the Welbutrin to take it's full effect. Could he possibly have been depressed this whole time instead of ADHD? I am not eager to take away any meds now due to the school. His last report card was honor roll and five weeks later his interim report was had
3-C's, 1-B, 1-F, and 1-D! My next problem is why our teacher never let me know how this child was failing so fast! She doesn't hesitate to call me when he can't pay attention in class. I have found some other mothers in our area who have struggled with this also. Hopefully, we can institute a system for dealing with ADHD children. So far there are no behavioral modifications in place to teach my son for example how to organize his time and work.
Is there anyone out there who has the same questions and problems with public schools. We live in Virginia.

MaggieB · 03-06-2002, 06:21 PM

I'm with you on this. I also have a nine year old with ADHD and a mood disorder NOS and have had lots of trouble with school. The teacher will call and go into great detail about his rotten behavior (all of which I have heard many times before). My first thought is always, "What am I supposed to do about it?" I have no control over him when he's in school so what do they expect? We all know that discussing it with your kid after school is completely unproductive. It's too late. Finally, my school offered to do a "case study" to determine if he qualifies for special assistance because if impairments (which ADHD is considered to be). The school will, then, provide what they call resource teachers who are assigned to specific kids all year. This teacher will sit with the kid in the class, if necessary, and can help organize the kid to bring home homework materials, plan for projects, etc. They determine how much or how little assistance each kid needs. This is provided through fifth grade, after that, it's the behavior disorder classrooms which are to be avoided as much as possible. I don't know if your school system provides something similar but my understanding is that public schools are required to provided assistance for all children with impairments because of their federal funding. Ask the school social worker about this. I'm pretty optimistic about this system. Good luck. Maggie

lvnmyboys · 03-06-2002, 08:51 PM

Thank you so much. Since he is my first born I am new to recognizing problems quickly. I have a meeting with the principal, teacher, and counselor tomorrow. I am interested in the 504 plan for my son. Moreover, I am concerned with our school system. Our teachers are overwhelmed with the number of students, ADHD problems, uncooperative parents, etc... Some teachers may have 23 students and 4-5 are ADHD. Heck, I have problems managing one ADHD/depressed child. That does not excuse the phone calls discreetly requesting more medication and complaining that they can't handle my child. I pull him out when this happens for his benefit. What good is a frustrated teacher? I don't care about their feelings. I only care about my child. Apparently our school is under scrutiny right now. If enough parents make waves maybe someone can educate the teachers on how to deal with ADHD children, because in our area there aren't alot of options for an ADHD child with an above average intellect.
Thanks for listening MaggieB. I wish the best for your son too.

mlgable · 03-07-2002, 07:20 AM

As I have often said before.....your schools are legally obligated to provide whatever help your child needs as ADD/ADHD is covered by the american disabilities act. If you are not receiving adequate info on your childs progress or lack of it or additional help if needed then talk to the schools and remind them that they must legally do this. As for the possibility of your son having been depressed all along and not ADHD..........what testing was done on your son to make the diagnosis of ADHD? Without proper testing I would never let someone tell me my child has this or that medical condition. For me they need to be able to show me in black and white that this is truely what they have. Lets face it you wouldn't let someone tell you that you have a bad heart and need to do something about it without proper test results to prove that this so please be sure you have the proper test results to prove or disprove that your child truely has ADD or ADHD. Good Luck.

Babernethy · 03-07-2002, 09:15 AM

In a lot of these children the craving for sweets is very high...you stated that he is consuming huge amounts of candy..why is that do you think?
I have said so many times to so many people, much of this disorder stems from what the kids are eating...they are not getting the nutrition that they need. Unbeleivable advances can be made by regimenting the diet of ANY child exhibiting these symptoms. They need good quality, natural food, with NO aritifical colours, flavours or preservatives.
I work in the education field, so does my wife. She teaches a special Ed class and I work in a special Ed school. She has some ADHD kids in her class and can TELL when they have eaten a poor quality breakfast. She does not allow ANY of these kids to eat junk food for snacks, just as we don't at home. The results have been remarkable. All the children in her class have accelerated this year. The last teacher used to give the kids Twizzlers when they were good...they would be off the wall by 11 am. Sugar, red dye and artificial flavour..GREAT CHOICE!
Regiment thier diets with good nutritional food, organic if you can get it. Substitute the sweets for natural ones from the health food store or a german delicatessan. Germany has the highest food standard laws in the world for sweets.
You may also want to test the kids by checking what seems to set them off...dairy could be a concern. Water intake is also important (they need to have MORE) and supplementing with Natural Vitamin B, and Essential 3,6,9 which is a combination of Essential oils including cod liver oil.
You will notice a differnce in less than a week...we have seen it MANY times. Remember the old adage 'You are what you eat'...I go by that and 'You are better, if you eat better food'.
B

[This message has been edited by Babernethy (edited 03-08-2002).]