Playground Aides | ADHD Information

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In closing, I must say, that I do understand children who have AD/HD and when they are disruptive I do not punish them but just talk with them about their behaviour and about whatever interests them at the moment, show them that I care and then send them on their way. It only takes a couple of minutes to do this and the child usually goes away feeling good about themselves. Of course if they have done something more serious than being rough or using cuss words or pushing, etc, I must inform the teacher.

Bravo to you Strugglingmom!

When my son was younger, he was very disruptive on the bus, he had a bus driver who worked with him like you do your students.. She knew he enjoyed watching movies and would keep him up front and discuss the movies he liked and watched, which helped keep him focused and out of trouble.. A little understanding goes a long way.They should do what I do I tell my child when going to a park or playground before we get there that when I ask something of her she needs to listen and when it is time to go no arguements or we do not go back for awhile.  I also give her warnings like we are leaving in 15 minutes and then remind her again at 5.  This does well and it is normal for kids with ADHD when playing appear to not listen for they are not paying attention.Well, perhaps your child is being singled out. This letter is for you and scotmama. I work in a school as a Special Educational Assistant. I work with children who have AD/HD as well as other diagnoses. From what I've seen, learned and experienced most of these so called "Problem Children" have some form of AD/HD. I understand them because I have educated myself. Also, my two daughters have different forms of AD/HD. Many people, as you said, aren't trained for dealing with or determining children with AD/HD. To them, all they see is a child who typically goes far and beyond the "normal" behaviour found on the playground. The quickest and easiest solution for them is to segregated them or have them singled out by sending them to the office. This is a quick solution and usually that is all the monitors have time for in their half hour or 15 minutes on the playground.
I do have to say something else though. I hope I don't offend you and I am not saying that this is you. Many times parents don't see the full picture or are not told everything that goes on with their child at school. This is because, in my experience, there are so many incidents at school with children who have AD/HD that the teachers only report things when they are at their wits end. This may seem petty to the parent but if it is continual and long lasting this can really disrupt the class. Also, if you have had many confrontations with the school and think you may have many more than perhaps there is a legitimate problem with your child at the school. It may be better for everyone and the child if you address that there is a problem and work with the school and your child to aleviate it.
In closing, I must say, that I do understand children who have AD/HD and when they are disruptive I do not punish them but just talk with them about their behaviour and about whatever interests them at the moment, show them that I care and then send them on their way. It only takes a couple of minutes to do this and the child usually goes away feeling good about themselves. Of course if they have done something more serious than being rough or using cuss words or pushing, etc, I must inform the teacher.

YESI WOULD RAISE HELL.

you could tell the principal to contact you only for important things.i would also speak to the principal about that woman.tell him you'll make a formal complain to the school district about the two of them if he does not stop her bullying your son.

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I got a call from my son's teacher yesterday to tell me that he wasn't listenting to the playground aide and asked if I could speak with him about listening to his teachers.  I spoke with him and he said he was playing with a stick, she asked him to put it down and all he did was go put it in a different spot than she asked him to.  Do they really need to call me at work about petty crap like this?  They've called to tell me things like he was making faces in class, talking in the halls, etc.  It's getting really annoying not to mention that I know for a fact that the playground aide doesn't like my son for whatever reason.  Her son was in my son's kindergarten class and once my was placed in special ed she asked a ton of questions and asked "how can you put him in there".  Out of 70 kids on the playground how is it that she catches him everytime he does something unless she's watching every move he's making.  I don't know if I should say something or just shut-up to avoid yet another confrontation at that school.

Any advice?  

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My son was singled out by one of these control freak "mother's" who are paid to be the recess monitors. My son was sent to the office for anything, even stepping on ice when the whole lunch did it, but just mine was sent and often forgotten about when it is time to eat! Call the principal and raise a stink! Don't let it go. I didn't know it had been going on for so long so mine ended up labeled by even the kids! And he is still trying to shake that off in my small,clicky town.

It is ridiculous these school districts and their control issues. My son was pretending with his food and was going to be sent to the punishment table to sit alone the next day for lunch but I sent my husband over and he told the principal if she did it, then he was being pulled out of school and sent to another. 

Go stick up for you son and who cares if there is another confrontation, believe me my son is 9 and we have had plenty and there are more to come!!

What's wrong with these schools??

I got a call from my son's teacher yesterday to tell me that he wasn't listenting to the playground aide and asked if I could speak with him about listening to his teachers.  I spoke with him and he said he was playing with a stick, she asked him to put it down and all he did was go put it in a different spot than she asked him to.  Do they really need to call me at work about petty crap like this?  They've called to tell me things like he was making faces in class, talking in the halls, etc.  It's getting really annoying not to mention that I know for a fact that the playground aide doesn't like my son for whatever reason.  Her son was in my son's kindergarten class and once my was placed in special ed she asked a ton of questions and asked "how can you put him in there".  Out of 70 kids on the playground how is it that she catches him everytime he does something unless she's watching every move he's making.  I don't know if I should say something or just shut-up to avoid yet another confrontation at that school.

Any advice?  

I wouldn't shut up.  In our school district, the playground aides are untrained people, usually parents.  If I thought my son was being singled out by one for "extra" attention, I'd have to complain long and loud.  That kind of petty crap is just someone getting off on a power struggle with a child, for heaven's sake.  Our school district is getting so ridiculous about "correct" behavior that it looks like a detention center when the kids are going down for lunch: eyes forward, hands at sides, mouths closed, single file.  Somebody's got control issues!!!I'd tell them if all he's doing is making faces or talking in the hall in between class, they can send that info home in a note and you will address it with him.  I think it's important that you are accessible to teachers but they shouldn't take advantage of it.  Better yet, give her your e-mail address.

I have worked both as an Instructional Aide and as a play ground monitor, my child is also AD/HD. I suggest an unexpected visit to the school for an afternoon. I would watch the playground from a far to see what's really going on. Maybe you could finish off the day with a visit to your son's classroom and help out in the class to see how he is doing in that setting as well. It can be a real eye opening experience and may answer many questions. I would not tell your son you are coming, so you can observe him and the other teachers on the playground with out them being aware of it.

I was quite amazed at how my son acted.  I was better able to understand what he was going through and knew better how to help him.