Telling the teacher | ADHD Information

I think it depends on your school. My son's school has not worked with me on anything. Dealing with the school has been far worse than managing my child. The only reason that he has services is because I hired an education advocate. They'd just assume ship him off to an alternative school. I would absolutely not share the label with the teacher, or anything else. It depends on what your school is like, and what the general environment is like there.

I think you should tell only if you think it will be helpful.  I battle over this one myself.  My son has ad/hd and it is under control as long as he is on meds.  You wouldn't know he has ad/hd unless you told someone.  When I tell my friends he has ad/hd they say no way .  In my situation I listed on the med form he takes 5 mg. Foacalin xr.  I didn't make any huge case out of telling anyone.   I personally think we as parents do more harm for our children when we go marching in and stating our child has this problem or this problem etc.  I think we need our children to have the same expectations that non ad/hd chidlren have.  We can't make excuses for them.  If we want them to grow up to be responsible individuals they need to monitor their behaviors/actions with our assistance and in some cases, with the help of meds.  Just my thought though.  I'm not saying  there aren't some children that need extra attention, I just think there are too many parents that are hovering/being helicopter parents and their children never learn to be contributing members to our communities.  Hope this makes sense.   I'm a bit tired this evening as we had over 65- PK students start school today at our K-5 school. A lot of children needing special hugs today.

As for a comment made by one of the posters... I'm a teacher in a public school.  We can not put any info. in cum. folders that makes reference to meds.  The nurse is the only one that has record unless a student is in Special Educ. as a result of ad/hd (other health impaired).  These documents are sealed records and are not public knowledge.  I have to say though if the student demonstrates ad/hd characteristics most teachers can tell.  Not all teachers know how to handle ad/hd and this is something I'm personally working with my teachers on. My principal and I plan on doing some training with our teachers this year as we are seeing it as very important in today's day and time. More and more students are coming to school diagnosed or at least having characteristics.  We have to start educating our communities and our teachers.  It is imperative!

Good night everyone.

Funny you should mention this at this time b/c my son was just diagnosed this summer and we recently (within the past 2 weeks) started meds. I AM A TEACHER myself and have been for 10 years and am still not sure whether or not I should tell my son's teacher...weird, I know... He starts school tomorrow.  He doesn't have an IEP or anything and although we talked last year about having him evaluated and he went through the schools IR&S, since the dx is new, they wouldn't have that info in his file. I feel like I want to wait it out and see how it goes, but we are still working on adjusting his dosage, so I feel like she needs to know in case he has side effects, etc. This is tough for me as a mom............however, as a teacher, I truly don't see those kids any differently and don't attach any stigma to it at all. I feel that it's helpful to know, especially to know that sometimes they just can't control their behaviors and I have to take that into consideration, but jeez...as a mom, it's a whole different story!!

Medication is only part of the solution and as kids get older, the problems and difficulties also change. I am a teacher and as parent of 2 ADHD kids, have found it difficult to decide on whether or not to tell teachers.  My 2nd child has a diagnosis of ASD as well - how differently he is now treated!!!!  Same kid, same probems, different diagnosis different treatment! 

My daughter went on meds at 11 and went from a B to A+ student.  I have never really told anyone about meds until she went off to boarding school this year.  Even then, I haven't really made it known that she has ADHD - more that she needs meds.  Everything has gone along well in the past 5 years, until we had a change into senior school - She decided to do science stream and just hit a brick wall.  She went from A+ to D+.  We then looked at meds, subject demands and stress.  By changing subjects / direction she is now back getting A's and topping all her classes. 

With my son, everyone has known because things change all the time.  I need them to tell me if the meds are running out or he is spaced out.  But we have paid a price ... A teacher set off a 4 year spiral of depression with "appointing" someone to remind him to get his meds!!  So the kids would tell him it was time to get his crazy pill. 

Some teachers have no idea about ADHD and when I tell them that his Sister the brain and perfect child takes meds, people sit up and listen.  I am sure she could be the pin up girl for Ritalin - Miss Concerta 2007.

Big decision - there is no rush - if you think you have a handle on meds and don't want to have them give you feed back... I am in Australia... is there any legal obligation for telling them?  ie on meds ... if something happens with your child physically?

Good luck

I can't imaging a teacher WOULDN'T know.  I'm sure its all over the schools file.  I can't imagine that you had him evaluated and started meds without consulting the teacher?  They place kids depending on their needs, and an ADHD child has extra needs, and the teachers are usually aware of this.I think it is very important that the school understands and knows your child's diagnosis. The school was a godsent for my son and we got him placed on an IEP :-)

 

Hawks,

Of course his 3rd teacher knew last year. He of course does not have the same one this year. He was not hyperactive at school. He had the problems with staying focused and following along with the class and talking too much sometimes. He was starting to fall behind ect. The teacher is who brought this to my attention. She herself has a ADHD child and saw signs. I then took him to his now Dr. and forms were completed and testing was done. 

My concern is a stigma being attached to my son. I get that he may need special help in the future, but until then I was tossing the idea around to sit tight and wait to see if I will have to tell her.

I am sure by open house September 18th she will let me know if he is not keeping up with the class and not paying attention. He has received A's in behavior for three weeks now and homework is not the nightmare it once was.

Gail 

     

 

Hello everyone,

My son was diagnosed in December with ADHD and we have since tried many meds. and seem to have finally found a good combo. He started School Aug. 20th and has been doing very well.

He has asked us not to tell his teacher he has ADHD. It embrasses him to share this info. with anyone. We have not told her at this point, but I am thinking I should. Do all of you tell the new teacher each year? Part of me does not want him labeled and the other part thinks the teacher should know.

Any suggestion. Thanks

Gail

I do tell the teachers, because my DD has an IEP, so they are going to know. The school has to know about meds for the emergency care form, but other than that it is your choice to tell, and as long as he isn't having problems, I would not tell.

This question comes up a LOT . You'll get mixed opinions. Mine is the teacher should know. This way if/when things do come up she knows why. The teacher (most times) is on your side and wants your child to learn. The more they know about your child the better. Not to worry you, but the meds may be working now, but add the stress of school and sometimes you have issues that need adjusting......I will still be a glass half full person and think the school wants to work WITH me. The times they haven't I've dealt with it as it comes up.

 Good luck whichever decision you make.

I guess it depends on whether he will need extra help in the classroom or with organization.  What grade is he in?  My son gets extra time on tests, some leeway with forgetting to turn in homework assignments, and help with organization. 

The other thing to look at is whether or not he is at all disruptive in the classroom.  If he's getting in trouble for things related to ADHD then the teacher needs to know so he/she can work out how to help.

 

I think this is a matter of 'mother knows best'. If your son needed to go to the dentist because of a cavity, but your son asked you not to take him, would you take him? Yes, you would. You know as a mother what is the best choice for your child. If you think keeping this information from the teacher is beneficial to him, then don't tell her. If you believe it's in is best interest for the teacher to know, then you have to tell her.

I told the teachers immediately and requested to be communicated with and work with me and him more so than the average child. 

I also talked to my son about his condition. It is a gift I told him. He has the ability to do things others can't.  I cannot imagine anyone I would want more in a panic situation as he would have the energy and calmness to get through it.  He is extremely caring and helpful when wants to be and wants to help so if the teacher knows this, he can help out more thus getting him moving as he needs to be and helping the teacher as much as possible.  just my thoughts.

I also do not think this is something a child should be "ashamed of" nor fear.  as stated before, they can work through things, same expectations and learn to deal with this condition.  my gosh, Look at Ty on Extreme Home Makeover!! :)

if the teacher dont know by observation.....them being told prolly would not make much of a diffrenceIf your child is in private school you should approach with caution.  I sent a book in with my son today to explain that he is adopted from a traumatic background.  The book explains that children with his background may become hyper vigilant in new or stressful situation and their behavior shows the stress.  I got back a note that they are not trained to handle special needs children and they are not expected to handle them.
I really thought they would welcome some insight into why any change in routine or surprise during the day makes it hard for him to focus.  He has had 3 tough days in 2 1/2 weeks and each time there was some new or unsettling event.  First was his first PE day, then one of his teachers fell down in the class, and finally a fire drill.  Each day they commented he had a hard time focusing or sitting still.  Not a big deal really...  Actually his behavior has been better than many.