question about schools | ADHD Information

It can often depend on the teacher.  This year both my kids have great teachers who like the kids to work together in groups, so it's not really quiet when that's going on, but they do keep the noise to a reasonable level out of respect for the other classes.  Some assignments are done independently, as are tests, so then they expect quiet, but it doesn't seem to be a problem.  Last year my son had a very controlling teacher who would get really nasty with the kids if they got even the littlest bit noisy, and he was an anxious mess all year. 

I don't think it's less structured, just different.  It's good in a lot of ways, because most kids can't sit quietly for all that long, and I think a lot of our kids wiggliness can get "lost in the shuffle."  I also noticed in my son's class that when they are working together many of the kids are standing, or leaning across the desks (not in their chairs)- when I asked him about it, he said the teachers don't care if they sit or not, as long as they are working.  I love that attitude. 

On the other hand, I can see how it could be distracting for some kids.  Personally, the only time my son has complained about the noise in the classroom has been when they were taking tests.  When I finally got him to explain what he meant he said the noise of pencils scratching and chairs moving really irritates and distracts him, but there's not much anyone can do about that.  His teacher did say she'll put him in a quieter spot of test taking- of her own accord! (did I mention I love her!). 

I don't remember it being silent when I was in school.

I think a lot depends on the teacher. Some are much better at keeping a quiet, structured environment than others. Also some classes are easier to control than others. Some combinations of kids are loud and difficult.

My daughter does not like noisy environments either and when she was in elementary school, I always tried to request teachers who were good at keeping a quiet, structured classroom.

However this year my daughter is in middle school and her group of 6th graders is quite rambunctious, yet she seems to be doing well in spite of the noisiness.
thanks for replying ---

i guess it was just pondering the thought about how people coped in the old days (without meds) and as counter-intuitive as it sounds i thought that those very structured environments with a consequent lack of choices probably worked very well for me.  but perhaps it has nothing to do with it.

our classes were generally silent except for science when we worked in pairs and if you wanted to ask a question in the other classes you had to put up your hand and wait for the teacher to say "yes, Christine?" --- only then could you ask your question...  altho the teacher also threw out questions to the class and hands would go up to answer (if you knew it) but more often than not they would ask the person WITHOUT their hand up in that typical teacher way.....  

i do find as an adult with ADD that i still far prefer simple, bare minimalist lifestyle otherwise i get overwhelmed.  i appreciated the fact we had to wear uniform because i had no choices to make in the morning etc. etc. 

and i guess what made me think about it too - is my sister has made a few changes to her living room (additions of pots with dried flowers) and when i go to visit i find the room very uncomfortable now as it has sort of pushed past my limit of too much visual distraction!  i literally want to jump about because it is getting on my nerves in a subconscious way..... so i was thinking perhaps the simplicity and quiet of my school helped altho intuitively one might have thought the noise and freedom would be more helpful for an ADDer.  but then again stimulants for a hyperactive ADDer are counter-intuitive too so maybe everything is backwards for us.....

thanks for the replies tho!
just curious about people's opinions on schools --- i haven't been in a school for years but when i was at school it was TOTALLY silent and if you wanted to ask a question you had to put up your hand. 

i am not sure if it is still the same today but i get the impression it is much noisier and more chaotic (is that right?)

but if it IS less structured i just wondered whether parents felt that this made things harder or easier for their ADD kids? 

well my sons class can be quite noisy. to the point that he covers his ears. when they first tested him at sylvan they asked him a series of questions one of them being, School is blank. He answered Fun & NOISY. I know he is constantly coming home complaining these same kids were really loud and in trouble again.

So I think it does affect him. I made a post about something very similar this morning. I don't see what I can do to help him with it, so hopefully they can figure something out.