schools need to address add/hd issues | ADHD Information

Hi pullingouthair

its such a pity that the school are so disconnected from your childs add reality.  Its your kid thats suffering as a result of their ignorance is there anything available through the NHS or local community services to help him back into school?  You really need to find out whats available to you, ask your GP and see if he knows of any resources which may be of use to you. 

To ALL I am delighted to see some schools are helpful and supportive to add/hd pupils.  But still alot of schools need to seriously get with it.......

Florrie

hi all over the past few weeks i have read various posts in these forums and from what i can gather (please correct me if i am wrong) there is a huge lack of empathy in schools with kids with add/hd or any learning difficulties.  I wonder would it be possible to lobby local politicians for perhaps a class assistant who would provide extra help for kids with concentration problems (every class has kids with some special needs).  I understand that teachers need to get through the various subjects in the school day, but surely this would take the pressure off.  Maybe parents could do it in turn as an alternative.  It would save parents, kids and teachers alot of frustration and time wasting on meetings which seem to get no results. What do ye think? Its just something thats been bugging me.

all the best florrie

I say change the whole education system since more kids are in SE than before. I say return to more of a hands on method with taught tell they master it all the way. Just my idea. I think this problem varies by state  (or country even) and by school district.  I live in NY and fortunately  our local district happens  to be very supportive.   If you can believe it, my kids go to a  private school where my  dd's teachers and the principal helped me out without my having to put a diagnosis on her records or set up a 504.  Her teachers quietly checked her assignment pad to see if she was up to date, gave her extra time for exams when she felt she needed it, let her take exams in a quiet area at times,  and often cut her some slack for turning in work  late.   The school even gave us an extra set  of textbooks to keep at home  without  having us go through the district to get them. 

Many places do need some reform in education but I think the key is really just to stay involved, know what your district is legally oligated to do for your child, and insist that they provide what you are entitled to.  Some districts will deny services to parents who don't seem to know what they can ask for. 

Hi Dee, pullingouthair here.

He's on medication but has yet to receive therapy of any sorts, even though we had the adhd confirmed last May and they surpossed to be rushing him through.

I've got to the stage where i sometimes think he's going to get bypassed  because he is 15yrs old now and when he leaves school that will be it, no help what so ever. He attends a youth inclusion programme two day's a week and receives minimal education but i'm hoping this is enough to pass tha basic exams, which is a great shame as he's got the brains to do so much more!!

Children like ours I feel are misunderstood they didn't ask to be like this no child did its not there fault and it's not the parents fault but some teachers treat us like it is I think they should have a seminar for teachers to get re taught on how to treat the children and the parents.

CMRsmom.

Hi Florrie,

Don't give up on getting more assistance in your schools.  I have been lucky so far with a very cooperative school system for my daughter.  She is on what is called a 504 plan and has a teacher that is willing to give her extra help when she needs it.  If your school does not have the extra help, is there a possibility of another school.  I would move my daughter in a heartbeat if I felt she wasn't getting the help she needs.  I think lobbying your congressman is a good start and if you get the ball rolling it could benefit many children and their families.  I'm with you and think schools definitely need to have that extra assistance.  I also tend to think that with more information and more incidence of ADHD and learning disabilities that schools will eventually have no choice.   It's just a shame it's taken so darn long.  

Pullingouthair, I responded to a post of yours and didn't have any info on your son.  I was wondering if you are taking him to a therapist of any kind.  It does sound like your school is not properly addressing ADHD and I am sorry you have had such a hard time.  I am however glad to hear how intelligent your son is and it's important that he knows that himself no matter what any headmaster has said.  Though I had a high IQ, I dealt with putdowns and comments about underachievement when I was young and it can have a serious affect on your self-esteem.  That is something very important to focus on also because low-self esteem leads to depression.  I can't really say anything about medications as I and my daughter are not on any but has that been something you have looked into also?  I know the teenage years are hard enough to deal with without ADHD issues and I hope you get the help that you need.  There are people here that can probably give you a lot of information.  I am learning a lot myself.  Please keep posting and let us know what else you find out and how your son is doing.   Dee

hi pulling out hair

I not surprised at all by your story its one of many echoed throughout these boards. It's not a just a problem in uk but everywhere and its sad to see the lack of empathy the teachers have also. I definitly think something has to be done to aid kids in learning.  Fair enough the teacher said you couldnt do it but surely a special need assistant could and should be provided.  The educational systems are seriously failing these children and their parents.

Hi Florrie,

Pullingouthair here again, my son was only comfirmed with adhd last May when he was 14yrs old. As his schools have never recognised his condition and  agreed with us that he has adhd he has never even seen or spoke to a special needs assistant. They said he wasn't bad enough, but he was bad enough to constantley suspended. Last year his attendance was 75% the rest of time he was suspended.

By the way i forgot to say earlier i'm pleased to say he sailed through his SATS with grades 4's and 5's. So we put that headmaster in his place pretty quick.

 

Please just keep trying and don't give up.  I'm sure there are people here that can help give you advice on programs you can buy and give you other information.  I am currently looking into CBT(Cognitave Behavior Therapy) and maybe a coach. Of course there is always the money issue too. 

Unfortunately, ADD isn't something you grow out of and it can get harder when you are an adult and have adult responsibilities.  Take it from the adult writing to you.  I am looking into getting some more help for myself because my organizational skills are so bad and it's not just me, but there are two of us with ADD.  If your son continues to get help now, his life will be so much better as an adult. 

My H just walked in and is standing over me pointing out a stray gray I have from all of my worrying, another wonderful facet of my ADD that probably wouldn't be so extreme had my parents known to look for help for me at a young age like you are doing for your son.  You sound like a good and caring Mom and I hope if you can't get more help from the school maybe someone here can point you in the right direction.  I'm just learning about a lot of things myself.  I wish I could give you more answers but do know you are not alone.    You've got a friend here.  Dee

Hi Dee thanks for your reply,

When it was confirmed he had adhd we were given tablets and that was it, nothing else, no info on where to go from there. School is still useless don't think he'll attend properly again he's only got 18mths left until he returns. I know if he attends for one day even on meds he wouldn't see the day before exlusion would start again. Since logging to this site i've learnt i'm not alone in my struggles but i'm still none the wiser about how things work in england and how to recieve more help for him and us.

Sorry if  i sound like i'm moaning it's been a bad morning with him

Hi Florrie, i'm pullingouthair, i agree with you whole heartley my son's school told me 'if he has adhd he has got it mild!!!! (this was before we had it confirmed, 10yrs after first taking him to doc's.) They told my husband and i that because they thought this was the case he would receive not extra help, thus ending in him no longer attending school due to their lack of help. They stuck by this even after he was diagnosed. During our many, many visits with school we offered to attend lessons, their response was 'this would be highly embrassing for him so no' which i can understand but we felt this was our last option to keep him in school. I don't think that in the UK there is enough done to help suffers and their families.

The headmaster at his primary school didn't believe Adhd existed and it's him i blame for my sons late diagnosise, he even told us on one occasion that he was just a naugthy child who would fail his SATS and end up in prision!!!! Thank god longer teaches.