Special School for ADHD kids, less med’s

I have a child diagnosed with ADHD, his taking Ritalin and he is in ESE (Exceptional Student Education). His mayor problem is reading & comprehension. He has improved, but he is not in the level where he is supposed to be for his age & grade. I'm worry that this situation can lower (even more) his self-esteem, for not been able to get the same achievements as other. This is frustrating for students, for parents & even for teachers. Parents are blamed; Children are blamed or labeled. Schools are blamed. This is a neurobiological problem. This is nobody's fault. But, we all can do something, let put pressure in our political leaders so these kids can get more help. I think by preparing a special program/classes for this kind of disability (with psychologists, neurologists, teachers and parents input)Having these kids in a full time (separate) school with a fully trained personal in this matter & where they don't see themselves as “retarded” because the rest are doing great and they are getting D's or F's, will help so much! If the government has money for special schools & programs for "gifted" students, why not to invest in those who are in a "bigger" academic need. In my opinion everyone will benefit from this, even students who are not ADHD. Medication should not be the only solution, after all, they have side effects, too.

There is between 3%-10% of students with ADHD in US. Isn’t that enough to at least try with a pilot school to see if it work? We need to put these kids back in their normal life, faster and with less medication.

Marlene:

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I READ EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SCHOOL, I LOVE IT AND I WILL TRY TO FIND SOMETHING SIMILAR IN MY AREA. GOOD LUCK TO THE REST OF YOU!!!

mlopez,

You are most welcome. 

I wish you the best of luck!  Please keep me posted. 

Marlene

Dear Novelexpectatio:

I copied in a blank document all about BIRCHWOOD SCHOOL. This week coming, I will be visiting the main office of my School Distric to see if they have something similar in this area. If they don't, I will be sending E-Mail's and letters to all the parents I know with this problem, if they agree with this type of school, we will be sending letters to all our political leaders, dept of education, etc etc. I will send the web page to some of  the teachers in my distric to get their opinions (and support, if they agree), too. Like I said to some of the people in this forum, I rather deal with the "trauma" of three years in a "SPECIAL SCHOOL" than the "trauma" of years failing and struggling in a regular school. Again, thank you very much!! I wish you and your family the best.  (if I cann't get the help on time for my son, I will be equally happy if I get it for others) The idea is to make sure NO KID IS LEFT BEHIND, after all.  Good luck for the rest of you...

To those worry about "discrimination" and  the idea of  been "forced" to go to special schools. Don't worry about it, in my request to the political leaders, I will make sure I mention the necessity of respecting parents decisions about special schools and the necessity of laws to protect students from discrimination in the future of universities and colleges.

mlopez -

Important to know !   if a child graduates from Birchwood they recieve a diploma from thier zone school, not Birchwood.  It makes it easier for the child to apply for college without predjudice.

please forgive all sps

novelexpectatio:

Excellent comment!! Now, more people will be able to see the "advantages" of this types of schools. Lot of people were not sure for that specific reason. Thank you, one more time...

By the way, I'm already sending messages (via E-Mail) to my political leaders to see if they can help to bring this type of school to our comunity and trying to get support from other parents and teachers  in my area. This week coming I will be visiting the School Distric Main Office. Let see, What happens...?

 I hope your message can help other parents, too.

If you put them in a separate school aren't you saying they cannot integrate with society?  Aren't you saying they are so different that they need to be isolated?  What is normal about a segragated school?  What a blow this would be to my son's self esteem to think he couldn't make it in a "regular" school.

I am all for continuing education for all our teachers.  For those currently getting their teaching degree's there should be mandatory classes on how to teach to these type of children.  And for those that are currently teaching, state mandated cources that teach this as well. 

I, for one, would never segragate my son for the rest of the population.  He needs to learn to fit in & if he weren't mainstreamed he would never know how to do that.  My son may have a different way of viewing the world, but every teacher that has ever had my son has always loved him, even the bad fit teachers.  And every year he learns what is expected of him by the way others in his class model "normal" behaviors.

Perhaps it was first indignant reaction to mlopez's idea.  Once again, my overprotectiveness causes me to feel agressive and scared of my son being more isolated than he already is.

But perhaps it has some merit! 

After thinking about it mlopez, I would definately look at this system for my child, if being in this school did not affect his chances of placement in universities etc.  And only if there was no major stimga attached to it. (ie calling it a special school, sends shivers up my spine)

I would love my son to be in an environment where he could run around a little more, perhaps learn by rote on a jog (like in the army).  A school environment that is almost based outdoors, would probably help my son to learn. 

In fact a complete change in teaching technique would be a good idea.

I know I am just thinking out loud - but  I have never wanted to consider it before, but the more I think about a school that could work more individually with my child, the more excited I get.

Dear NOVELEXPECTTATIO:

Thank you very much for your explanation.. Now, people will understand What I'm talking about. That is why I said:  with psychologists, neurologists, teachers and parents input (opinion and suggestions) to prepare a curriculum or system that makes their learning process easier, faster and less frustating. Where can we learn more about who this school work? Maybe, we can put pressure in our leader to bring this "style" of  schools  to all the communities.  

Hi MLopez

My son's school is Birchwood.  It works with children from kindergarten through high school, as thier needs dictate.  Most of thier graduates go onto college Baruch, NYU and Columbia as well as community schools.  Afterall, our children are not stupid they are just short circuiting.  The school is in the Clarkstown School district in Rockland County, NY.  They do have their own website  http://www.ccsd.edu/birchwood/.    Louis' class has 8 children a teacher two assistants a grandparent and college interns.    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  We have to be our children's greatest advocate and search out the information that will help us do that!

Cheers

Marlene