Working with teachers... | ADHD Information

You need to request in writing for an evaluation.  Whether it is a 504 plan or an iep (individual education plan) that you need it will be decided upon.  I would just request a special education evaluation.   It takes quite along time to get, it took practically the whole school year to get done for me.  Mine has an iep for his behavior.  If his behavior is interferring with his ability to learn you can get one to address what he needs.  Mine is for his behavior, he is at his school level in learning, he just does not function without meds and modifications addressing his behavior.  Talking with the teacher in what you need to do for him to learn how to behave in school is great.  Communication with the teacher is always a plus especially when you have a good teacher.No 504 plans are not easy to get, It took me 1 year of very frustrating head banging(on my part) and a call to the principal's boss to get mine. But it was definatly worth it. This year we have a wonderful teacher who knows haw to deal with ADHD kids and doesn't mind. She is kind, yet structured and organized, something my child needs and did not get last year. His self esteem has gotten so much better already and it has only been 1 week. This plan, although still not perfect, has made a world of difference and now the school knows I am not fooling around. Hopefully we will see more positive changes this year. And as far as I am aware the grade level does not matter. ADHD affect the learning process in almost all cases and the child is protected under the American with Dissabilities Act.

Yes, you have to start out by trying things with the teacher and explore things from that angle before going for services...

You could toss in a few extra ideas like a silent hand signal from the teacher to your son to let him know that he is interrupting. Maybe he could have his seat very close to the teacher and even separated from the other kids a bit. The teacher could use carpet squares for everyone during circle time. I'd even offer to buy carpet squares for the class. There's portable cardboard student carrels to use during independent study time. Maybe toss a few ideas out there and see which ones the teacher wants to try.

after moving to an inapt school we had no problem settign up a SST that actually requested that I allow them to place him on a 509/IEP plan and they actually surprised me it took about 6 months to actually get everything completed (paperwork) but they we following the IEP from day one, you have to be persistant and able to attend the SST meetings.

I'm in the same boat as you.  My son has been in the asst principals office 3 times in 2 weeks of school.  I am having a conference tomorrow afternoon with his teacher, the asst principal and the school counselor.  I've made a list of my son's strengths, some areas where he could improve (not weaknesses) and my top 5 areas that I want to concentrate on.  We will be implementing a token reward system of some sort and I like the one mentioned on this thread so I'll probably bring that in with me.  Our issue is screaming.  He has been screaming when things don't go his way and apparently that is several times per day.  I pray that his days will get easier and become less frustrating for him.  I don't think his meds are helping and we're addressing that at the dr on Tues.  You're right it is exhausting.  Everyday I dread what his daily report will look like.  One a positive note, he had a GREAT day on Thursday.  It is really just going to take some work on my part to help teach him better coping skills when he gets frustrated.  It is easier for me to help him calm down at home than it will be for his teacher in a room full of 20 other kids.  That is the main challenge I see right now.  I feel for you.  Just know you're not alone!!

I'm not trying to start anything but ...504s are not as easy as one might think.  Matter of fact as has been mentioned on this forum before...unless the ad/hd is causing learning to not occur or is hampering the safety of others it might not even be considered.  Kindergarten can also be very difficult to get help from special services because of the developmental issues.  I too have a kindergarten child with ad/hd and I'm an educator in a major school system. 

Special Educ. guidelines are changing in the state of Texas and it will be much harder to receive services.  I'm not sure yet if 504 guidelines are changing or not.  I imagine they will if Sp. Ed. does. 

 

No, 504's are not easy to get put into place. Ours has taken over a year of SST meetings and follow ups to get (and it hasnt even been put into place yet, wont be til end of Sept), but it is well worth the effort IMO.

Tina  

The beginning of the school year is always tough.  They're in a new environment and it's very over whelming.  Like everyone has mentioned 504 can take a long time to get set in place.  Get the ball rolling on that and in the mean time get an IEP going it takes a lot less time and you son will benefit from it sooner.

I would also talk to the doctor about a medicine change. 

I got a phone call this passed Wednesday saying my 6yr. old had punched a teacher, twisted a little girls arm and put it behind her back, and almost stabbed himself and his teacher with a pair of scissors.

So we're going though medicine changes right now.

Best of luck!

An SST meeting with the teacher, principal, school psychologist and everyone they can muster in to help you and your son out!

I agree, a 504 plan needs to be in place. This will really make a world of difference for your son in terms of learning and how he feels about himself as well. It wouldnt be right for him to just be labeled a 'bad kid' and can have a lasting impression on his self esteem and how he feels about going to school. Its a bit of a pain in the butt but you have to be the squeaky wheel. Call the principal and explain your concerns about what is going on, both with the ADHD and what is going on at home. Being 100% open and honest with my DD's teacher is what helped us the most. But get on it now, these things take time and our school district especially hems and haws (lol) about getting you in. Our first SST was scheduled about 5 months in advance.


Best of luck to you and your DS.
  No kidding :)  Thanks both for the advice.

Have a conference with the teacher. I'd select ONE behavior to work on, probably interrupting. Make a daily report broken down into small segments of time, maybe 15 or 30 minutes max. He gets an interruption rating for each time period. Sad face, straight face, happy face. If he gets a certain number of happy faces in a day he gets a reward at home. Start low, like 1/4 happy faces so he experiences success. When he does well, lay it on thick with the praise. Gush.

This behavior you describe is VERY typical, even banging the head on the desk after getting into trouble. And so is the administrator "explaining" what good behavior is to a child with a neurological condition resulting in impluse control issues. LOL. Too bad you didn't think of that years ago!

Hello all,

My son started kindergarten this week (after coming out of a private pre-k preschool setting) where after several months of working with his teacher (who was wonderful to him and all the kids) and hopefully finding the right medication dosage) was doing really well. 

He started kindergarten yesterday and while he was really excited about starting, I could tell he was nervous/anxious too.  He gets louder and talks alot more when he's nervous (and that's really saying something). 

Last night when he got home, I was looking through his school stuff and there was a progress report sent home (apparently they will be doing one everyday).  They let us know that he was called out for talking alot/interrupting and was sent to his seat several times for talking when not called on.  Apparently after one time of being told to sit down, he started banging his head against the desk so he was sent to the vice-principals office where he was told what it meant to show good behavior, etc.  I had briefly mentioned at his open house that he has been diagnosed with ADHD and was on a low dose of medication but I just wanted the teacher to know not for an excuse but just so that she was aware of the situation, she said she was very familiar with ADHD and we kind of left it at that. 

I don't want to see my son backsliding just because he's in a new school with a new teacher and I realize that public school kindergarten is much different  than a preschool that we pay for every week.   I've told his teacher we plan to reenforce or reemphasize to him what his teachers have told him throughout the day about his behavior but I've asked her what we need to do to help her, help him.    

What has anyone found that helps them with their child's teacher in their classroom and how do you handle these situations?  With having lost my job recently and worried about that, it's mentally draining for me right now to be thinking about a long school year filled with notes of him being sent to the principals office.

Thanks for any input!

Get a 504 plan in place for your child. this will mantdate by law that the school follow any accomodations you and the school set up to help him along. Also you might want to check in with your doc re: medication issue. If he is on the right meds then these behaiviors should probably not be happening. But most of all You need a 504. It took me 1 year and alot of head banging on my part to get it(along with a call above the principal's head) but it allows my son the accomodations he needs and protects him by law, to go to school with everyone else.