How do I help????

[Theresa341]

My story starts about 4 years ago when I noticed my daughter (then 2 yrs old) was so hyper and couldn't pay attention or sit still or anything. At age 5 she was diagnosed with ADHD. She was put on Adderall (5 mg) and she went from the being at the bottom of her kindergarden class all the way to the very top and already reading! When summer came, I took her off of her meds because it was summer and she could be hyper if she wanted to! Now first grade started and I put her back on her adderall and she was having problems! She said all the noise in the classroom was bothering her! (no new noise- just regular class). She couldn't deal with it, so I took her off of the meds. Now I get a letter from her teacher stating she needs to be put on meds because her school work is poor and she is not concentrating very well. I made a MD appt for 1/16. Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe a new med? Thanks for listening

[agteach]

I would have left her on her meds all summer. Maybe just cut the dose. There should be a change with going back on aderall, maybe they will just up her dose, but for your daughters sake please don't put her on and take her off of it. I can tell with myself the change when I am on it versus not and that is so hard to comprehend for someone who is not add. Talk to your daughter about how she feels. Try the website. [url="http://www.*******."]www.*******.[/url] I found alot of information that may help you and will help you teacher react to her daily behavior. I hope i can help in anyway i am a middle school teacher who has adhd. Please emil me if i can answer any question anout her needs or help she should be getting at scholl or even just to talk about it. agteachsls@aol.com
Good Luck
Sheryl

[Theresa341]

Thanks for your response. Actually, it wasn't my idea to take her off of meds in the summer, it was her pediatrician's idea! But I will remember what you said about never stopping her meds again! I feel so bad for her because I KNOW she is trying and her teacher doesn't see it- which surprises me- she has been a teacher for 30 years and is the assistant principal. I even get notes home saying Ashley never finishes her work in school. I don't know how to help her not do I know what to say to the teacher.

[mlgable]

Aside from the medication issues have her teacher start a daily tracker sheet for you where she writes down what her homework is and what homework or class assignments she is missing or late getting in etc. There is no way you can help you daughter with missed or late work if you have no clue what her assignments are or what specifically she is late on or missing. In third grade when my son was finally diagnosed with ADD I was relieved that we now knew what was going on but disappointed with his teacher as her chronic complaint was "he never turns in his homework" or he never finishes his assignments. Well sorry to say but If the parent doesn't know what work the child has there is no way you can help them get caught up. A tracker sheet in 4th grade helped solve that. It wasn't perfect but at least I knew what needed to be done.

[dij]

I would suggest going into her classroom and sitting in the back and watching. You will learn so much. I beg every parent that has any child add or not to do this if they are having trouble in school.

Some classrooms ARE noisy. Sometimes the placement of a desk can make a HUGE difference! They keep putting my children (1 with add 1 without) next to other kids. The desks all touch. Both kids HATE this and are not able to do their work. especially the ADD child.

Every teacher has learned this 1st hand. Even though I tell them every stupid year at the beginning. I guess they dont believe me.

I have also found all sorts of improvements that I have made to my sons environment.

I hope I'm not boring, but here are some things that helped him.

They have times when they sit on the floor. The add child is not able to concentrate there. In his desk, he has his "space" his world. It contains him. Without it, he is adrift. I know this sounds rediculous, but it is true. Had I not noticed this and mentioned it to the pediatrician, who said that yes it is very true of Add children and that he should be allowed to sit in a desk close to the other kids. This HELPED!

Now the teacher never noticed this. She is a good teacher, but he is MY kid, my main concern. She has 18 others. So I dont blame her.

My son has the messy handwriting so familiar to ADD. They have allowed him to still print instead of forcing the handwriting cursive that frustrates him to tears. Again, I asked for it.

He also had to copy math examples from a book and then write the answers. He took so long to copy them, looking back and forth, losing his place, focusing on such a simple part, he was really exhausted. The other children did this easily. But my son got the answers correct, he just had to leave the paper unfinished. A typical ADD thing we can overlook, but we can FIX it. Have him only do the answers. Not waste his valuable time and energy copying work. THis has Helped. I SUGGESTED IT.

Go to the classroom. See what you SEE. It isnt the same for everyone. But if you are observant, you will see things that will improve your childs life.

take care
-di