I’m back | ADHD Information
If you talk to Sylvan I'd love to hear how you make out. I left a couple of messages for the Sylvan around here, but they never got ack to me. the summer tutor is a great idea too. most schools will accomodate that.If he has social anxiety pushing him ahead may make it worse. The social world gets so much more complicated. My daughter repeated Kindergarten so is already a bit older. But emotionally maturity she acts more like a 4th-5th grader. We do treat her anxiety though. We've actually just gone to Desiprimine to treat her ADHD and her anxiety. It muddies the waters a lot when you have to treat multiple disorders. I really feel for you. Can you talk to the guidance counselor, they sometimes have a different perspective on the whole child as opposed to the teacher. That's just it. There is not a lot I can do. I am just the stepmother. The divorce wasn't friendly and I can't talk to my husband's ex-wife, though I would love to. Just so you know, I spent over 00 at Sylvan for Chase before he was dxd... they never once mentioned ADHD either, just took my money....he liked it, but his grades did not improve, nor did his organizational skills. I had outlined exactly his issues, so them suggesting testing for ADHD would not have been out of line....it was AFTER sylvan failed that I looked further and found the ADHD...thanks Chasesmom, I had heard they are better for kids with no issues, just needa little help. I am working on school giving her a reading tutor.
JP74 as his stepmom, you are as concerned as anyone. Sometimes it helps to approach (your husband) after you have all the facts. Try to give him facts a little at a time, I usually then try to find a way to make my husband think it was his idea and what a great plan it is .
Since he has a diagnosis, how about asking the school to put him on a 504 plan next year and promote him?
My son's grades were falling - failing actually, and the 504 is classroom modifications depending on your child's particular weakness - in my son's case they give him extra time to pass in homework and projects. Although my son's grades aren't A's and B's he is now passing.
You need a diagnosis document and then you have to contact the school system. It's not special Ed.
JP74
Why did the teacher/school wait until the end of the year, they should have been getting him help during the year. The school let him and your family down.
You definetely want an IEP! If he is learning disabilied it will protect him from not receiving an education.
Have your husband tell the school that he wants to start the process for an IEP qulification. Better yet, call the special ed. department for your town/city.
Can they offer him summer school for extra help?
I have to say I agree with your husband's concern for your ss self esteem. At this age, it will follow him for the rest of his life. Where I am they do not like to have them repeat after kindergarten due to just that.
Ask for summer school and start the IEP process. If he doesn't qualify, which I am not sure if he will or not, then you want the 504!
Tell the school what YOU want, including summer school. This is ridiculous to start this conversation about repeating at the end of the year. They should have been doing there job and got him help a lot sooner!
If the academic problems are due to inattention or a LD, yes retain, but I would push for and IEP with time in the resources room, or tutoring, or an part-time aide so this does not happen again.
NoTellin39217.4573148148Diane, no. All he has been diagnosed with is ADHD. I think he has some bi-polar, maybe ODD and/or social anxiety. He is certainly immature enough to repeat a grade but his self-confidence is very low and I am afraid repeating a grade will make it worse.That would depend on the circumstances.What did the school say is the reason they want him to repeat?Do you agree with that reasoning?Is it because he is not working up to potential [adhd trait] or because he really can't keep up?What will be the educational ramifications, do you think? The social ramifications?Are there more options than simply repeating a grade? [eg: taking his weak subjects at one level and his strong subjects at another]
Have you asked your stepson what he would rather do? It will be easier if you at least hear his side of what he wants, even if ultimately, you can't agree with it.
Be careful this doesn't become a push me/pull you with hubby over the stepson. I'd also suggest that if you can't come to an agreement that you get someone to help you all negotiate this.
There are so many factors for and against repeating a grade. If it were K or 1 I'd say DO IT. The older they get the harder it can be for them socially. Although if it is too difficult acdemically to move up, you end up with social issues on top of the academics.
When you say undiagnosed disorders, are these in the process of becoming diagnosed?
His grades are really bad. They started out okay, but just progressively got worse over the year. All my husband can think of is the social aspect of it. He is afraid the other kids will make fun of him. I am thinking more of the fact that if he can't do 4th grade work, he certainly won't be able to do 5th grade work. I have suggested trying to find a tutor. There is a Sylvan Learning Center nearby. Anyone had any luck with that?