Very moved... | ADHD Information
wmtmann,
We actually do, in a sense. I think it may be an overview of sorts, becaue it would be difficult to be very specific, considering the vast array of things that can be brought into the classroom and the fact that we would only have a semester to learn of them. The class is called Exceptionalities. I have yet to take it, but I'm sure it will provide at least a generalized idea of what is going on. I think you are right, though...information needs to be readily available to us so we can help our students and parents in an effective and positive way!
Here's another support board that you might want to visit bpkids.org It's a support board for kids with bipolar disorder. susieb38994.4633564815I found a support board for parents with children who has Type 1 diabetes, if anyone is interested or knows someone who needs it. It's: http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/forumdisplay.php?s=0a 38826422368429deb234de88d6554f&f=3
Thanks for the link for the children with bipolar disorder, susieb!
**children who have** ~I can't stand making grammatical errors~ lol. I always correct them. Must be a teacher thing
I am in the Valley Forge Area in PA, I think that there needs to be a class taught to all teachers in school about ADHD and similar problems. I have a step son who just got his masters in education from St. Joseph's here in Philly and he has had no classes relating to these issues. He has learned it through his dad and younger brother.. we don't call them half brothers... Your future parents thank you...Thanks for the replies ogram, Mariaven, and Jillette!! The feedback is very helpful!
Mariaven and Jillette- I'm glad things seemed to improve with your children's teachers!! That must be such a relief to know they spend the day with someone who is understanding and competent
ogram- I was thinking of looking up an online support group for my cousin, thanks for the advice!! I'm sure it would be very helpful for her to meet other parents who go through the same things. I will look for one for her! 
It was nice to meet you, and hopefully I will get to talk more with you in the future!
What is helpful for teachers to know COMMUNICATION especially if a child is on meds. Last year I had a teacher who gave me no feedback and she started meds and i went out of my mind and she never returned my calls for i am very involved. We had problems long story.
This year so far my girl has awsome teachers I know they get busy but I do talk to them weekly and my girl is in a research study at the University and daily notes are a good thing too so we know what to adress at home and know what is going on.
Hello everyone!! I would like to start out by saying that I actually do not have any children...this may seem odd to you considering that this is a discussion forum for parents of AD/HD children. Let me explain: I am a college student, attending Shippensburg University (in Pennsylvania) as an Elementary Education major. I was researching AD/HD for one of my classes, and I came upon this forum. I have spent a lot of time looking through the posts, and trying to gain perspective and understanding on the feelings and viewpoints of parents and things that all of you go though.
I feel it is very important, as a future teacher, to see things from the parents' and child's viewpoint. I was very impressed and moved by all of the wonderful support everyone in here has given to each other. I think that's an amazing thing, and I felt that all of you should be told how moving your empathy and support of one another is. I'm sure you already realize it, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts.
Having a place to vent is invaluable, and I've seen first-hand how difficult it is for a parent who has a child with a problem to cope (my cousin has a two-year old daughter who has recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, and she ,my cousin, is not coping well). Although I know it's a very different thing, she goes thorough some similar emotions: guilt, frustration, and a whole lot of worry. That is completely off-topic, but I wanted to let all of you know how uplifting and moving your posts were. They have helped me gain a better understanding, and I know that the more I know about it, the better teacher I can become. Thank-you.
maybe your cousin can find an on line site for juvenile diabetes support. there are a lot of them on the net. i'm glad you happened upon us.
That is awesome!
I'm a mother of an adhd child, I don't live in your country but it has been very nice for me to read your post. I'm sure you will become an excellent teacher. I was a teacher too ( I quit last year because I had a baby). If I hadn't been a teacher I would probably hadn't been able to realize so quickly that my son had an attention problem. The fact that I was a teacher made act early and open a better path for my dear son.
I really wish you the best in your future. You can't imagine how important it is for a parent of an adhd child to have a valuable person who's able to understand, support, and help us. I have had bad experiences with teachers before. Thanks God this year is a complete different story, my son has wonderful teachers.
Nice to meet you and good luck!!!!
ShipStudent, I am so thankful you are taking the time to research this. I wish all teachers would do that. Once I understood my child had no control over his actions, I began to realize he was not just being defiant and a bad kid. I wish all teachers knew this. It gets very frustrating for the ADHD child, they try, they really do, and when they are not understood, they get so frustrated and use the only thing they know, and usually teachers don't like it. Please go and read the reward system....the marble system, that will explaing that punishment is not the answer for these children....rewards work so much better. Luckily, my child has a good teacher this year, but he was forever scared by a HORRIBLE one last year! Keep up the good work....I wish you where going to be my childs teacher!!!!
It is so wonderful to see that you are taking interest and doing research on this subject. It will make you a better teacher.
So far our son ( 1st gr. ) has/had wonderful teachers. His teacher in K, I found out at the end of the schoolyear used to be a principal at a school for special needs children, in a different state. I am so grateful to her, that she worked with him and us, so he could have a great first year in school. Keeping the communication lines open and working with the teacher is very important.
Good luck to you
ShipStudent,I think it's great that your taking extra steps to identify with your
future students. THE most frustrating part of being a parent of a
child with ADHD is not the actual child, but the way he/she is
perceived by others...mostly those that are uneducated on the
issues.
I wish you luck and am happy for your future students :)
Thanks everyone for the posts...your insight helps a lot. It has to be very difficult to see how things must LOOK to others (although I realize that their thoughts do not matter) and wish that others could truly understand what is going on, instead of what they see in their limited view of the situation. I really wish all of you the best of luck with your children's teachers, and I hope that more awareness can be raised about this. I think that one of the best things I was taught by a professor is that we (teachers) should always stop and think of why a child is acting (or re-acting) the way he or she is before we react to it. It will allow us to step back and analyze the situation instead of reacting out of frustration. That is much easier said than done, but I think it helps to keep that in mind.
Dillonsmom, I actually did read that rewards work well...kind of like a chart system with stickers or something and work up to prizes, or give smaller prizes for shorter-term rewards? Do you know of any sites where I might find varied systems to work with (I know each child is different, and something that works for one, may not work for all). Thanks a lot!!