Teachers | ADHD Information

grrrr, Im a teacher, this is crap. Teachers need to teach to the individual
not the class, they need to be transparent and accountable. Your kid has
a right to be treated well and to good education. A good teacher does not
fly by the seat of his pants. A caring teacher works out how best to meet
the needs of their kids. Teaching is not all content, there is a huge
amount of pastol care involved.

Demand to see the teacher's program and demand to see what they are
doing to accommodate/modify their teaching strategy. If they can't or
won't then it's not you or your kid with the problem, it's a teacher whos
not doing their job.

Look up the 'theory of multiple intelligences' there are many ways for a
kid to learn, but that's hard if the teachers winging the class. Thats ego-
teaching ... I don't need to prepare, I know what I'm doing.

Each year I teach roughly the same syllabus'. I change the programs every
year to meet the needs of the co-hort. Thats good teaching, else we
might as all buy a DVD and skip the middle man.

Teaching is more than delivering 'content'. Get on the teachers case.A diary is great, get them a 'teachers chronicle' if that helps. All kids do
better when they write down their work/deadlines. In fact all our kids are
given one at our High School. Get the teacher to sign it weekly, and you
do the same. Then everyone knows what is going on. Even if it's just
homework.

I use (for all kids) that are behaving in classes a 'better me' program. Over
4 weeks....give them a chart in wk 1 for each class. Get them to write
down 'how they went in class' and their homework. Get the teacher to
make a comment in each lesson. The kid just takes it to the teacher at the
end. (behavioiur)

In week 2, Get the kid to fill in how they went, and get the teacher to sign
it or change it. (behaviour)

In week 3. Get the kid to fill it out, but then get the teacher to write down
how the kid can improve their learning (not behavior).

In week 4. Get the kid to write down what they learned/did well AND what
they didn't. Get the teacher to write how the kid can improve the things
THE KID said they found hard.

Over 4 weeks it turns behaviour reporting into learning reporting. It
breaks down the 'grudge' between teacher and student, and opens a
dialogue.

Most 'naughty' kids really want to do better. Most ADD/ADHD kids want
to do better - sometimes teachers write them off - this allows some
reconcilliation. Kids generally have a reset button overnight and don't
carry a grudge ... teachers however often do.

This works really well. I use it as a 'home room' pastoral teacher to let
kids who are getting into trouble to work on their learning.

At the end of it, give them a letter to take home to mum and dad. They
love it. Gives them ownership and pride, and the gratification is
daily...which kids who are 'in trouble' need to get them back in front.

Tell a kid they are a problem often enough and guess what you create....

I've got template for this....I'll dig 'em out if anyone thinks it would help
their kids learn.

Harrysdad

You sound like a very caring, involved teacher.  The only problem that my son would have with the chart is that he hates writing!  He would take so long trying to figure out what to write in the chart (using as few words as possible) the result would most likely be blank or monosyllabic!  I suspect that you have run into that though and would be able to help the child anyway!  The world needs more teachers like you .

Fortunately, Chase's teachers this year are very willing to communicate through email, and it is working out well.  I am thinking that we will need a 504 for middle school (next year) to get the accomodations that we get now w/o it though.

Talk to the school, change teachers. this year my son had a great teacher but a new teacher, and she was not as organized as some of the teachers. When talkign to teh school we decided to put him in a more expereinced teacher, a teacher that does the same thing everyday..and is very organized. Becasue of his grades we redid his Iep yesterday to get him extra help, he is goign to the special ed room for 2 hours a day and has a parapro that will stay with him for one on one care during regular calssroom help. we changed school districts and cities and I love this system they are much more helpful then the last oen we were in last year. I dont have to fight as much as I use to and we are all on the same page it is great when you can get them on board.Our school uses an agenda (homework/calendar notebook) which the parents have to sign every night.  You might ask that the teacher sign your son's agenda BEFORE your boy leaves school at the end of the day, to ensure that it has been filled out. You might also ask that your child be assigned a "buddy" to help him pack his homework, a kid who's always on the ball.  This can be written into an IEP. It wouldn't abdicate your son's responsibility for bringing home his own work, but would provide a safety net that could give him a boost of confidence.

My only response is why are you waiting to up the mediation? We used to do it immediately. If DS didn't have a good day, up went the med, doctor wrote the prescription. Next day he would go to school with his meds. upped. We did this for 6 months until he leveled off.

My son is 9, on meds since June 2004. He is on 72 mgs. of concerta and 1 mg of guanfacine for over stimulation since Dec. 2004. We started at the lowest in June and upped it until he is where he still is today!

I say up the meds. for your son's sake!

Definately look into having this written into his IEP.  Last year my older son's teacher was big on "personal responsiblity."  Unfortunately, he felt my some should be able to remember assignments always, ADD or not.  Last year was tough!  This year he has a much more understanding teacher who also happens to be big on communication (emails weekly assignment due dates, etc).  It has been wonderful.  Ask if your son's teacher might do the same.

Just a word of caution here - I am a teacher and I have ADD.  I know how hard it is to get organized.  When I used Adderal, the world was a different place. 

You know yourself how hard it is for your child to be organized and to remember things.  Well, there are adults out there with the same issues.  It might be a good thing to give your child's teacher a book about ADHD.  That is the exact way I discovered my own ADD.  I am very grateful for those parents who took the time to give me that information. It changed my life.

Just a note:  I don't take Adderal anymore.  I do the crawling exercises in the book Stopping ADHD by O'Dell and Cook.  They help me the same as medication and there is no side effect.  You may want to check it out for your child.  Also check out the "crawlers unite" thread on the alernative and complementary section of the board here.  There are a few of us trying these exercises and having wonderful results.

Thanks for listening to an ADD teacher.

I'm wishing my son's teacher was as helpful as some of yours. I recently had a dr appt with my ds doctor to discuss medicine. We decided he's good where he's at (20mg Daytrana). Grades are good, but homework takes hours, literally HOURS - like 5 1/2 sometimes. My ds is horrible at bringing home homework - has an agenda also to write down assignments, but either doesn't want to or forgets to bring home his stuff and tells me it's done sometimes when it's not. So the work load carries over to the next day. No matter how hard I try to explain the "extra" work and lost recesses, etc. it's not sinking in! His doctor said to ask the teacher to check his bag every night and initial his agenda - if I had problems, she would write to the school (I REALLY LIKE HER!). When I asked the teacher, she said she'd try, but she couldn't guarantee it every day...I realize I have a battle ahead of me and I'm taking in all the info I can from my previous posts on here and current ones.

Thanks for all the informative information everyone posts on here who have "been there"

Hi zjmom!

I definelty think you need to call the school. I wondered if there were any special accommadations in place for your son, even a 504 or IEP? Your son's adhd qualifies for "something" to assist him with learning.

Loosing the recess's is always the first thing they do at school. That is the worst thing they can do for ADHD'ers who need to get up and move.

Has your son ever been evaluated for learning disabilities, anything? sorry for all the questions, but his teacher is wrong, insensitive for not wanting to teach, just plain failing your son and his education. There are teachers who take the time to make special accomations without having them in writing so the teacher can teach the pupil, your son's teacher is not. That needs to stop.

Call your special ed. dept and discuss this situation ASAP so your son can get back to learning, poor little guy! It's as if the teacher likes the power she has over your son and doesn't want to help Makes no sense.

I would also discuss with the doctor about the medication not working. Homework should not take hours if your son is on the correct dosage, as well as medication.

Hang in there, please let us know how things are going!!

For the frist three years of school my son got lumped with teachers straight out of University and he was just getting by. But after setting up a comunication book between the teacher and I we started on the right track. This year He has a teacher with loads of experiance and knows him well and he has thrived. the more he misbehaves the more work he is given. We have worked out that he only plays up when he is not challenged in his work. We have found that he is doing the work of an extra class mate. His teacher is blown away at the amount of knowlege he has and has asked him to help out the students that need help. Hence no more problems and we are all happy.

Hi...

I physically go down to the teacher and request monthly planners and test reviews, and outlines.  Once they know your serious it gets easier.  It worked for me. Volenteering is also a good in

Thank You Pealk

Monthly Planners and test review outlines is a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been spinning the wheel trying to come up with an idea. Thank you that is workable!

I wish I could volenteer but I'm the bread winner (that would solve alot of problems).

Thank you again.

Hello Everyone,

 

I've just happen to stumble over this site when researching for ADHD.  It's so nice to know that your not the only one out there with the same problems.

Thank you to all!

My question is how do you deal with teachers, tackfully regarding their organiztion skills. My sons teacher is flying by the seat of his pants and unfortuanally my son is being effected.  I've been in twice to talk to the teacher informing him that my son needs to have someone on his tail coat at all times. My son is not writing down his assignments or test in his agenda.  Also when there is a test  only a couple of days of study time is given.  I know my son needs to take on some of this responsiblility but all I'm asking is just a little help from him. He has no idea how to handle ADHD.  Other teacher have told him that he is lucky to have him on meds because he was a handle when he wasn't. I agreed with them.

Does anyone have any suggestions how to deal with teachers and the school.

My son is 9 has been on meds since Jan. 05. 45mg of concerta looking to increase it to 54mg just waiting on the Dr. He is a poor reader which is effecting all of his subjets. He has extra help in that subjet he also  has an IEP(Individual Education Plan) Will be enrolling him in the Kumon next Monday.

 

 

 

 

Can you just send the teacher a daily email asking for the assignments/test schedules? I guess they don't have a homework hotline?

I checked out Kumon also. My local Kumon was interesting.  I had *just* had my son tested by the school and by a neuropsyche, so I knew that he was at or above grade level on everything. I just about laughed in the Kumon manager's face when he tested my son and said that he was 1 year behind in reading and 1 year behind in math. He said that he could bring my son back to grade level in 10 months. I asked him why the school and neuropsyche came up with similar results, and his were not in the same ballpark. He said that was because my son was being evaluated based on his personality, not his skills. Also, the Kumon in my area gives nightly homework. They say it takes 10 minutes -- yea, for a non-disabled, academically oriented child. I took a look at it and estimated that it would take my son 15-30 minutes. Kumon would probably be fine since you know your son is behind, but as far as testing for accurate progress, I would go elsewhere.

NoTellin39057.4480787037

You might talk about this with the special ed teacher (if this person knows you son's issues) and then request a meeting with the special ed teacher and the teacher. My daughter's special ed teacher explained to the main teacher all the things in the IEP and how to help with the organizational issues at the beginning of the school year. The special ed teacher at the school acts as an advocate for the kids in need.

Also, see if you can get this written specifically into the IEP (all IEP goals should be specific). It will help as you son sees new teachers each year. My daughter's IEP includes the teacher checking the planner each day to see that the assignments are written down, with my daughter required to take more responsibility in steps every 6 months over a 2 year period. We also use the planner as part of the reward system at home (she gets a marble for each completed assignment, and a marble for each one that comes back with an A). This is all part of how we apply ogram's marble system (first thread of the parent's board).

Hope this helps.

I'm having the same problem with Becky's teacher - she is very disorganized and has even admitted this to me.  Becky's report card is coming on the 15th.  If I feel her grades are being effected by this teachers issues, I'm calling for a meeting with the principal and I'm speaking up.

Definately call for a meeting and bring your concerns to light.

Welcome to the boards!

 

Beckysmom39057.4339814815

Welcome!

Has your DS been evaluated to see if he qualifies for a IEP, 504, or Bip?  If not I would request one to be done ASAP.  Then you can have accomodations for him to help out in school.  My DS has an IEP that lists a number of things.  Some are reduced workload, additional time to do work/tests, tests given verbally, scribe, able to type assignments, e-mail sent to me daily with his HW assignments, quiet place to take test, an assistant in all his classes to work with him (he doesn't know that - he thinks they are there for everyone), etc.

Good luck!