Homework issues (long and fragmented) | ADHD Information

I have a couple of issues with the homework that my 9 year old son, in Grade 4, is receiving.

Please forgive me if my thoughts are fragmented.

First of all - the work my son is doing is nothing like the work that I was taught many years ago in Grade 4.  While this may be obvious, I am having such a hard time teaching him basic concepts when he is being taught these concepts in the most convoluted way and is naturally hesitant and scared to try my (much easier) suggestions.  I am certainly not a teacher but I do have logic, sometimes!

I guess that is my first frustration - that I am not fully able to help my son as I hardly even understand some of the work he is being taught.

Another issue is that my son is getting so much homework.  This is actually a 2-fold issue.  Part of the problem is that he is not finishing his work in class and brings it home to finish and then has to do scheduled homework on top of that.

He gets home at 3pm.  I give him a light snack, we chat and then we sit down to the homework.  (I am so lucky to work from home that I can give him this time).  From that time on, the nightmare begins.  His concentration is at -0 and his frustration at +10 because there is so much work.  There have been occasions when we have only finished all his work at about 9pm!  (With some breaks inbetween).

When does he get to be a child?  Pages and pages of math!  I have never seen anything like it!

Now, this is my biggest gripe and an even bigger concern.  In amongst all this homework, he has to colour in pictures.   A task that he does not always mind but that takes him hours and hours!  Why is it so necessary to colour in each and every picture in his work books.  I fail to see the relevance in Grade 4!

I love colouring in and often do it of my own accord for relaxation.  As a result, I end up doing his colouring-in for him whislt he does his other homework.

Am I wrong to do this?  I don't want to teach him the wrong principle or let him think that I will just do his work for him.  We chatted about it though and I explained that his math and other work is more important than colouring in at this stage.

Sorry to carry on - I don't know if I have made sense.

I feel sorry for him.  And I am worried!

(I have spoken to the teacher - the attitude is that if the other kids can cope then so should he!)

 

I really get your frustration with the different teaching methods...last year (grade 4) my son was being taught long division in some strange way involving boxes, and slanted lines I think....it was impossible for me to decipher.  When he asked me for help, I really tried to figure out the 'new' way, but it was hopeless, so I finally told him if I was going to help him ,he would have to do it my way.  He learned it my way and weeks later, that is the way they were being taught!  Maybe they started out the other way because the teachers thought it easier, and then bridged to the old way?  I don't know. 

I also remember Chase bringing home uncompleted classwork along with his regular homework and remember the long nights completing it.  Is your son taking any meds for his ADHD?  Do you have a 504 or an IEP for him?  If you do, is reduced homework a part of that?

Once meds were in place for Chase, he began not only completing class work in school, but also using free time given at the end of class to complete at least part of the homework assigned.  I was truly amazed at how much less he brought home and how quickly he was able to finish it each afternoon.  In fact, one of the ways that I realized the first med was no longer completely effective was the fact that Chase's homework load increased dramatically. 

And no, I do not fault you for coloring in pages for your son....I would have too, though I do not recall Chase having too many of those last year, I, too would have thought his time better spent on the real learning. 

chasesmom7939149.5240046296

Thanks for your quick and understanding response chasesmom!

I started another thread with regard DS's medication - I reckon a lot of frustration with regard to not finishing work will be alleviated should these meds work out.

I am in South Africa and our school systems are somewhat different to the US.  I don't even know what a 504 or IEP is?

There are specialized schools available where DS would get much more individualized attention but the fees are astronomical.  I would pay for one month, what I pay for 1 year!

He is in a good school - just not a school where ADHD is understood (in my humble opinion!).

Where it isn't possible for me to show DS "my ways", I think I will make a fun event out of him teaching "dumb Mom" the new way!  Then I must just hope I grasp it or he will really think I am dumb!

I saw your other post right after I answered this one.  And the reference to "holding thumbs" pointed me to South Africa....we call it "crossing our fingers" here in the USA, but I have seen gutsy, who is also from South Africa post about "holding thumbs", so I figured it out.

I am sorry that the ritalin LA did not work out for your son, it has done wonders for Chase!  What dose did you work up to if I may ask?  Chase takes 60mg in the mornings, and he is thriving both at school and at home.  Is concerta available there?  It worked well for Chase for almost a year, then it fizzled...a higher dose may have done the trick, but his appetite was already and issue so I opted to switch and try a different stim and I am so glad that I did, we like this so much better!

I hope that the strattera works out for you, a member that is pretty knowledgeable on that med and it's specific dosing is edbson, if you have concerns send a PM and I am sure that you will get good info from them.  I do know that it can take many weeks to reach full potential as opposed to the immediate response of the stims.

Good luck and welcome!

 Thanks for the smile about the "holding thumbs" - I never realised how colloquial it was!

I can't say that the Ritalin didn't work - it did for awhile and then just kind of fizzled out, if you know what I mean.  DS was taking 20mg (previously he took 2 x 10mg of the generic version).

Concerta is an option but the doc seemed to think Strattera was the way to go.

If it will help with homework issues - then I am all for it!

Thanks for the note about edbson - I will certainly keep that in mind.

Is this a psychologist that is managing meds?  If the ritalin worked for a while then fizzled, that is often a sign that a higher dose is needed.  Once the optimal dose is reached, the 'fizzling' does not happen...and the med keeps managing the ADHD. 

I am just curious, that is all....my ped manages my son's meds, though many peds are not equipped to do so, mine seems to be handling it quite well.

This might sound strange, but in my small city, there is not a single child psychiatrist!  The meds are being managed by my GP.  Apparently, DS was at the highest dosage possible (20mg?).  Seems to me he could have gone to a higher dosage!

On a good note, I bit the bullet with more expense (worthwhile though) and my son starts play therapy next week with a lovely child psychologist who specializes in ADHD.  I have written an extensive report on his current troubles (mostly related to schoolwork) for her to review before seeing him. 

If for whatever reason, she feels the Strattera is not going to work or isn't the way to go - I will heed her advice.

My son is only 10 and on 60mg of ritalin LA.  I thought this a kind of high dose, but he had been on 54mg of concerta, and he is doing very well on the 60mg of the ritalin LA.  I am glad that you are able to get into play therapy....I also live in a very small town with no psychologist at all, let alone a child psychologist, though my insurance would not cover it anyways....soooo....I am lucky to afford the pediatrician, who I drive an hour to see for med checks.

Chase has no sleep issues on this dose, and his appetite is fine, though he takes periactin and guanfacine, which are both said to aid in appetite, so I am unsure how it would be if he did not take these meds to augment the stimulant.  He is excelling at school, and socially.  It is a good fit for him, at least for now.

It is a good idea that you are going to talk to the psych about your son's history, perhaps she can advise your GP on med management in the future....

I have the same issue going on with my 10 year old. He's playing catch up with the homework he can't finish and the homework he brings home. It is so ridicules that these teachers don't care. I' went off on my son's speech thearpy specialist. I'm
tired of the teachers saying he's capable at school. that;s fine but when he gets home it's a whole different ball game that they just don't know and care. I'm gonna let my son finish his grade there but I'm gonna start finding him a special school.
  I've also found out that on top his ADHD he may have ODD.. that explains alot more about my son and the way he acts too...Don't feel that u r alone I'm going thru the same thing. Here is my email address feel free to email me( tnickl4@yahoo.com)
  I think we have alot in common and we sure could use each other to talk to... My name is Tammy

I completely know what you mean about homework.  My son is in 3rd grade and they are doing long division with decimels!  The attitude of the teacher does not seem allowable.  I realize you may not have the same IEP's or 504 regulations that are in place here but certainly you must have something legal to protect children with diagnosed conditions.  His homework clearly needs to be modified.  Do odd problems only, something like that. 

One thing I've found that helps tremendously is working in my son's class.  That way I get to hear exactly the way the teacher is giving the kids the information and learn all the little tips and tricks to figuring out the problem etc.  Then I'm also not teaching them a different way than the instructor.  Really helps to be in there too to watch your child and the general flow of the classroom.

I PM you about the Strattera.

We have had 8 years of trying to find the right meds.  We have found out though that quick release ritalin works well but concerta and LA  doesn't seem to work as well especially as the day goes on.  I have a theory that longer the meds are in the system and the further down the intesinal track they travel, the effectiveness is greatly reduced with our son.  It is such a pain but testing has proven that his working memory isn;t as good on concerta or LA.  Something to think about.Amy my child is in 2nd grade and we have been struggling with homework too and what our psychologist recommended which helps is request reduced homework.  If your child has an IEP it can be done and his homework will be decreased.  Go for it.  Jill Chases mom,  I have a forth grader, and the slats and lines I can realate to.  Long division is different these days I guess my son told me I didn't know what I was doing.  So I told his teacher that I know how to divid but this is a little different than what I know, Yes it is much different than when we were kids.  I feel it is too much for these young brains.  I have do homework with my some right after school or there is no homework done.  I have done this since he has been in 1st grade, and he is used to it so it works well, most days.  I think the schools want the scores and don't neccessarily care to much about the kids.  I t is hard i know. I wish there was a happy medium.