Ideas for Schools | ADHD Information
You and me both. I am an idea person with zero know how and resources (funds). I have tons of ideas for businesses, etc. yet no cash or business know how.Anyway, I have many other ideas with regards to this "school of the future" but need someone with a PhD to be "on the literature" and someone to fund things.
Maybe someone on here has these skills?
I was also thinking about class time. I would break classes up into shorter sessions during the day, and have 2 classes of the mandated subjects so the kids wouldn't get bored, but would have similar achievements as other kids. (For example: 20-30 mins ea. class, having a morning and afternoon session of English, math, science, etc., as an example.)
But would ADD a "wiggle time" after lunch (no matter the age of the child) and mandate PE. I also would add art or music, and one class for whatever the kid would like to choose. I think I might mandate a second language as well (everyone should know more than English).
Just a dream!
Yme!,
I agree completely. How much easier life would be for our kids with a setup like that! I wish I was more of an 'activator'... I have a vision for a new approach to education for kids with ADHD, and I would gladly lobby for someone who would take this to the top to affect real change. Only that person, sadly, isn't me. I'm more of a strategist and maximizer (I took an assessment test at work that gives you your top five strengths, that's where the terms come from)... I'm good at seeing the big picture, finding options and solutions, and enhancing other people's work, but I'm not the person with the machete blazing a trail through the thicket. Maybe I should find out who my Congress person or Representative is and see if there is any interest...?
Response to the above posts:Firstly, I wanted to make it clear that I wasn't addressing ALL children. Children without ADHD do not deal with what our kids do, and therefore I was speaking only on behalf of kids with ADHD. (There are other kids with other ailments that may also be helped by this, but quite frankly I was talking about our kids only.)
Issue one, the not having computers/internet thing. I have already pondered this at length. I decided that since our kids are considered in the eyes of the law as "disabled" we should in the future (if we all banded together and threw a fit) under the "reasonable accommodations laws" should have a tax credit or some other form of payment towards this NECESSARY piece of our children's "educational tool box." A computer credit and a monthly internet credit for home use. It would not help our kids to be doing homework in a library where there is nothing but additional distractions, anyway.
Issue two, the having to write down math/other homework and go between the "online text" and the WRITING DOWN ON THE NOT ONLINE TEXT. The whole point is to NOT have to use ANY paper.
In my opinion, there are, for example, already textbook websites that have "helper" practice work that is done entirely online. It is similar to a game/test in that the problem occurs, and then you have to enter the answer on the same page. (Oftentimes it is a multiple choice answer.) Now, I would have it rewritten for our kids so that there isn't multiple choice answers, but rather the work could be done online. The "writing" is done on the computer. There are already programs to take one's writing and make it "text:" if that were necessary. However, for the most part, using the num lock keys and the regular keyboard would work and keep the kids work straightened out. And quite frankly, I think this could be done in a way that is similar to a video game-making things interesting and the only thing my kid is entirely able to concentrate on, as it is something that is constantly changing.
If you have other concerns, let me know. Also, if you have other ideas, bring them on. Personally, it seems that I was given a child like this to solve this problem. It is wrong for him and others like him to suffer with our pathetically behind schools (imo).
Yme!,
Your ideas are great. I especially like the second language requirement - I'm German (lived in Germany until I was 21, English is my second language), and completed all my formal education there... Elementary School, High chool and University. One of the great things Germany does is give kids (and their parents) a choice of school after the first four elementary school years: you may go on to "Gymnasium", which is kind of like a prep school for University... it has very high academic standards and three foreign languages are required (English is the first and mandatory, then you get to pick your second and third foreign languages from French, Spanish, Latin, Greek, etc...). If Gymnasium isn't right for you you can either go to "Realschule", which prepares students for so-called "white collar" jobs - your accountants, secretaries, office workers, etc. The third option you have after elementary school is the "Hauptschule", which prepares students for careers in "blue collar" jobs... people who like working with their hands, like construction workers, pipe fitters, wood carvers, etc.
You may think that it would be pretty hard for a 10-year-old to make a decision that early, but you always have the option of transferring between the different school systems... if you start out in the Hauptschule, but you realize that you'd like to go to university, you can transfer to the Gymnasium anytime; this works in all directions.
I have found that the German model is so much better than the US model. Drop out rates are almost null, and you have much happier students - you may not be that good with your head, but perhaps you do amazing stuff with car engines... well, you can still be an honor student in the Hauptschule and have a great career in the automotive industry. The American model seems to set students up for failure. If I could afford it my son would be going to a boarding school in Germany, trust me.
Oh, and education in Germany is always free. You never pay for tuition or books, etc, not even at the university level. I got my BA degree for exactly
Hey, Madam Secretary of Education - I know you looked at the German model, because you've got a case study on your website - how 'bout implementing it pronto?!?
I would love it if someday I am able to create either a private school for kids with ADHD, or help in pushing the model we have now to be more flexible. How differently abled children are supposed to learn with one rigid plan is beyond me!
Having to go to LRC where you aren't given time to do homework, (or even have someone go through your backpack and help you clean it out-or make sure your books and papers that are necessary to go home with are in the backpack, or any other number of ADHD essentials)- but rather spend time going over what the other teachers have already gone over-removing one full period of "choice" from kids is just wrong. He is using one of his 2 "elective" time slots to go to this class. Next year, I am going to have to help him decide: LRC or computers or Spanish-he gets to choose only 2. However, he needs the computers class to graduate! Grrrrrrr
Oh, and home schooling is great for people who have the funds to do so. (Although, I think it lacks the socializing kids get from being around others....) However, I have to work and can't anyway. Or else, we'd be calling the Great Outdoors-home!
I am glad you liked my ideas. I studied a second language in the US, but not until the 8th grade, when it was finally available to do so-and regret it. Our brains are set up to learn language much younger, and the older you are when you start the less likely you will succeed.
I also think being a mono linguistic culture is ignorant and arrogant. And quite frankly, living in AZ, not knowing Spanish makes you a lesser work commodity.
I wish I were truly bilingual. One day when my nest is empty, I plan on living where Spanish is only spoken, so that I can become fluent. I watch Spanish TV everyday and practice, but it is not the same.
Next school year, since his counselor has refused to return my communications at this point and the yr. is over in 3 weeks anyway, I plan on implementing much of these changes myself: WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR HELP.
If I have to scan his books myself and have him email things to me during the day: we aren't going to be playing this game again next year.
I love you guys ideas. I definately want my kids to go to yalls school. Lol.
I have been reading this topic and it is very interesting. As far as wishing your dc was born 100 years in the future, I often wished my dd was born 200 years in the past. 
She wouldn't have worried about spelling. She could have learned all the domestic things she loves - embrodery, sewing, knitting, etc. She would have just fit in so well. Of course, that is assuming we were still in middle class America. 
Just my $.02,
it can be smart, BUT not everyone has computers. I know it seems everyone does, but really not everyone has computers in their home. Those parents certainly wouldnt think it fair their kids had to go the library and wait their turn to get at the computer to do homework. It's the wave fo the future, I agree and would work GREAT for our kids, but playing devils advoate here, it wouldnt work for ALL kids.Here is my two cents.
Yes, I think Yme has some great ideas.
However, there is good and bad with most everything.
My daughter's school actually uses online textbooks. She does not have any textbooks to carry home.
BUT, in the earlier part of the year, when she was struggling with math homework, I went in to talk to her math teacher. My daughter has quite a bit of trouble staying focused and getting through all the steps on math problems + the teacher insisted that they copy down the problems from the online text book and "show their work" in what I consider a pretty convoluted way. It took FOREVER. And it was, I think, more difficult for her to be looking back and forth between a computer screen and a paper, trying to figure out what problem she was on and where she was in the problem. So the first accommodation the teacher suggested for my daughter was that she would give her printed worksheets covering the same material, rather than the textbook assignments. It worked much better. By mid-year, she was giving the worksheets to all her students rather than having them work from the online textbook.
The social studies teacher also started printing out material from the textbook rather than having the kids refer to the online textbook. Not sure why.
In her science class, there were a few frustrating nights when, for whatever reason, when we tried to look up some information in the online science textbook, the site was working at a snail's pace, and we kept getting booted out. The science teacher also seems to have pretty much gotten away from using the online textbook, although we still use it occasionally to look up vocab words, etc.
My daughter's school does post grade reports online and I do find this very helpful with her teachers that keep it up to date well. Some do, some don't. It's certainly better than nothing in any case. And since my daughter is allowed to turn in work late, when I see something missing, I chase it down and make sure it gets done and turned in.
Two of my daughter's teachers also post weekly agendas. One keeps it up very well and it is VERY helpful. The other doesn't keep it up so well, and it doesn't help all that much.
My son's school also posts ongoing grade reports online and it is very helpful. When problems develop, you can do something about it before it gets too late. When he was in middle school, homework was posted online also, but it was a very brief listing that a parent wouldn't really know what it meant a lot of the time without the child's cooperation, so if they were saying they finished it in class or that sort of thing, there was really no way of knowing otherwise. But it was somewhat helpful.
Honestly I think one of the most helpful situations this year for my daughter is the fact that her school doesn't have lockers! She carries everything in her backpack. That would be much harder if she had to carry a bunch of heavy textbooks with her. She's lost a couple of worksheets throughout the year, but really every little and she can never leave anything behind in her locker.
I guess "paperless" probably is the wave of the future, and hopefully the kinks will get worked out along the way.
I think the real key is the teachers. The ones who are very organized and are able to post their agendas online and keep up the grades online, and answer the emails from parents, they really help keep kids on track! Some at my daughter's school also send home periodic printouts of the child's grade report and ask the parents to sign and return them. Anyway, those teachers are worth their weight in gold IMO!
Me, me, me!!!!!!!!!! 
Okay, is it just me or is everything Yme! wrote smart, easily do-able, and probably a lot less expensive than buying books and more environmentally friendly than killing trees? Where's the downside??
I actually plan to enroll my son in an Online HS. I think it will be a big relief for everybody...
I sent an email to the school counselor today asking about my idea and giving him more info on my child. He is falling behind due to missing assignments. So, they want him to spend one lunch period per week in the library working on catching up. I know the counselor thinks he has come up with a great idea-but I think taking my hyperactive child away from the one period where he can wiggle away from him is not a good idea.
Here was what I thought: "If my child were taught typing earlier, was able to go "paperless" by having his textbooks and assignments available online, and had less homework he would be getting better grades and having higher self esteem."
That's my statement and I am sticking to it.
Yme!,
Good for you! One thing I want to point out, however, is that losing ANY recess/lunch/PE time has the exact opposite effect on our kids. They MUST be able to release energy physically... there are so many reasons for this... let me see if I can put 'em all together:
1. The H in ADHD stands for "Hyperactive". Clearly, keeping them tied to their desks even LONGER is not a good idea. In order to get some of that fussing and fiddling energy out of their systems (which, I'm sure, his teachers would appreciate during class time), they HAVE TO be able to run around and howl and do whatever it is they do. The more they move around during recess, the calmer and more focused they are in class.
2. There's great new book out on this subject - it's called "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" (by John Ratey, see http://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-B rain/dp/0316113506). Here is an excerpt of the summary: "Filled with amazing case studies (such as the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois, which has put this school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores), SPARK is the first book to explore comprehensively the connection between exercise and the brain." Basically, they increased the recess time at this school district, which they filled with a lot of physical activity and games, and - lo and behold! - test scores for these kids, which were dismal to start with, shot through the roof! Frankly, instead of having your child spend recess time catching up on assignments that don't amount to a hill of beans even a week later, they should turn ALL their kids loose much more often! I think your child's counselor needs to catch up on some reading...
3. Making your kid stay behind when all the other kids get to socialize and play does two things: a) it demonstrates to his classmates that he is "different", and we all know what that means - Lord of the Flies, anyone? b) the message they're sending to your child is that he is being punished for not being able to perform at their dumb one-size-fits-all standard, which affects his self-esteem and will make him even less likely to want to work harder. I mean, come on - this is Psych 101 stuff! What kind of counselor doesn't see the connection between performance and motivation?? If you're bad at something, you're not gonna wanna do it. The inverse is true, as well - if you're good at something, you'll wanna do it all the time! Think, people!!
There's more, I'm sure, but I think this will give you some ammo with your child's counselor - don't give in to idiocy! Just because something has been done the same way for decades doesn't mean it's a good idea. A quick anecdote: my son was learning to write persuasive essays. He hated it, because he hates writing (poor motor function) and was bored to death by the subject matters. Trying to get him to cough up a couple of meager, legible paragraphs was like spending 100 years in hell. Then, one day the assigned topic was -this is almost too perfect- "Recess - Do students really need it?". The essay my son wrote that evening (in a little over 30 minutes) could have been lifted off the Op-Ed pages of the NYT! He was so excited and focused while he was writing it, and came up with incredible, out-of-the-box arguments for recess. When he first handed it to me I was speechless. Then I started bawling. He knew all along how to write a persuasive essay, knew it probably from the first time the teacher presented it to the class, but until that day the topics just didn't interest him. But recess was close to his heart, and he even asked if he could send it to the school board so all kids could benefit. He was convinced that, faced with his essay, the board couldn't help but immediately implement recess after every class. The point being, if you make assignments a punishment you may never see how brilliant your kid can be, because he won't want to even try.
Ok, I'm pretty sure my message privileges are gonna be revoked soon if I keep posting these monster messages.
Good luck to you, Yme!, and keep fighting the good fight!! 
I love what you had to say and am totally in agreement.
Here is what I think should be added to my original posting in this thread:
The school's website should be updated with every single teacher with the week's plans in advance. Also, the grades shown in a timely manner as well.
[HOWEVER, my child will say the following:
1. oh, we aren't supposed to be doing it THAT WAY (even though it is clearly written to do it that way).
2. I left my assignment in class.
3. I left my book in class.
4. I lost my book.
5. We don't have to do that because it was an IN CLASS ASSIGNMENT.
6. I already did that at school and left it in my LRC class so I wouldn't lose it.
(etc...)]
The only way for this to work is to be truly paperless.
This means ALL textbooks are available online so that you never "lose" or "leave" a textbook anywhere.....and that all "handouts" are scanned and available online.....and that all assignments are ACTUALLY DONE online. Why? Consistency and it makes it more tolerable for an ADHD'r to deal with. (Even math should be done online, kind of like a video game or an online test.) They will pay more attention and learn more as well in my opinion as it will keep their interest.
All writing, vocab, science, you name it should be available online/filled out on the school website (with a backup website in case of a meltdown of some sort).
This is just one way of helping our kids out--and US PARENTS who are perhaps being lied to by a child that HATES their homework, or loses their assignments.
My child actually will write/draw/doodle all over his papers when he is distracted-his homework he actually worked so hard on and that has to be turned in!!! Also, he is so "halfassed" about putting things away since he is always in a hurry that his papers that actually do find his binder/backpack get ripped and curled anyway. Accent on THOSE THAT ACTUALLY DO FIND WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GO.
Most of them get eaten by the invisible monster that seems to follow him around!Plus my son is already getting backaches from carrying his heavy backpack and ONLY THE NERDS USE THE ROLLER ONES, MOM. Like duh
In the "real world" who writes anything anyway? [of course they will always need to be taught written language, but that can be done on a computer-like a video game anyway.]
My son only stays still for a video game/computer AND ALWAYS HAS. NOT EVEN A TV CAN HOLD HIS UNDIVIDED ATTENTION IF HE IS NOT ON HIS MEDS.
Pretty soon we will be typing-excuse me-talking into our headsets so that the computer can type in for us--everything!
Anyone want to enroll in my school?
GREAT post Tina! I couldn't agree more with you. I too have a 15 yr old gifted child who learns differently. I too now laugh when I look back at how I got SO caught up in the anxiety over grades. My son is a diamond in the rough. I hug him everyday he trudges home from that high school that is set up as an environment for him to fail. I brush his tears away over the repeated blows to his self esteem. I've learned to navigate his rage over the anxiety over all this. I too am just trying to "get him through" it. And I've spent years educating myself, obtaining IEP's, tutors, psychiatrists, psychologists, neuropsychologists., medication trials, etc........ the whole nine yards.
We've got to realize our children's potential........and not focus on this stupid stuff. Our kids need tons of love and acceptance.....and firm, firm rules with consistent parenting. I never let my son use his challenges as "excuses" for disrespectful, rude behavior or poor choices at school related to turning in work. If he chooses not to do his work, he gets the consequence grade wise. But I always encourage him to do his work and let him know I'll help him with school work if he choose to accept support (I DON"T do homework for him....just support his efforts).
Yme....... I'd be in heaven if my son's school was paperless. My son also struggles with terrible problems with Executive Function deficits.
Okiemom
You know here is the deal with multiple sets of books: we have multiple sets of homes.
Kind of useless. Paperless is the only way as that is the only thing he would for sure do. Can't lose the internet-although he would lose a laptop
(so he will have to use the desktop permanently).My son's school does the following: has each teacher have their own site on the school website so that we can look up assignments/grades. This is nice, however, my son constantly says "oh we are doing it this way this time" or "she assigned it differently" or "I already did that in class" and he leaves his assignments in his LRC class to try to help him not lose things. Then, his LRC teacher decided she would start signing his assignment book if he left an assignment there (since he will sometimes lie to get out of doing work)- that item gets lost as well.
Unless our kids are taught in a fundamentally different way-they will be lower self esteem having "special" kids who are constantly trying to "keep up" instead of show THEIR BRILLIANCE.
I am going to mention this to his school. If you all think of other things that make you crazy, let me know, as I am pretty good at brainstorming.
I've been thinking about this for a while... Our kids need a whole new kind of education (see my earlier post further up), and I believe that eventually people will wise up and see them as the incredible assets they could be to society, but when is this going to happen? I keep coming back to this quote (from the 60's, I think) - You have to be the change you are waiting for (or something like it). But how? I don't have any credentials that would make me an authority on the subject, and I wouldn't even know whom to talk to about this. All I know is that investing in these kids by providing a special kind of educational program would in the end pay off for everyone... there's a healthy ROI in this!!
Anybody got an in with Ms. Spelling, our Secretary of Education?
My school system now has school notes - the teachers put the assignments on websites. This has helped my son - but even when he looks up the assignment on the website and actually does it - he still forgets to hand it in.
Oh - I hear you on the backpack.
He is allowed to type his assignments on the computer which sometimes gets him to actually do the work.
paperless would be great. Our textbooks have online hel sites, which is somewhat helpful. My ds forgot books regularly in middle school. In high school now, he does not have a locker (not enough). He is glad! he forgets what his assignments are, though...never writes them down. Says he can't remember from the time the teacher says it till he can get out a planner and write!
Especially in middle school, these traits were treated as discipline problems that they could just shame an dpunish out of the kids. it didn't work with mine....
I often wish my son (13, ADHD/AS) and I were born 100 years later... I am certain that in the year 2108 people will look back at our education system and weep. By not providing an educational environment for our extraordinary kids we are continuously flushing our most precious assets down the toilet! The paradigm shift is happening right now - the "D" will no longer stand for "deficit" and "disorder", but for "difference". Once everyone is on board doctors will congratulate parents on their child's diagnosis of ADHD. The schools will cherry-pick these children and set them up with a whole different approach to education... I'm imagining paperless free-learning settings, where the main focus is to expose these kids to all kinds of different interests, and, once they've found their passion, to support and harness their incredible gifts of creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, hyperfocusing, etc.
It's these children that will invent new technologies to stop Global Warming, to cure AIDS or Cancer, to solve World Hunger... I could go on. Our kids' talents are currently squandered in the most shameful way. I, for one, am just trying to get my son through school - grades be damned. He is currently failing two of his classes, in one of which he had the highest score the district has ever seen on our state's standardized test. What's wrong with this picture?? It used to make me mad, now it just makes me laugh. I have a brilliant kid having to deal with small, small minds over ridiculously worthless issues.
I can only encourage all parents to become visionaries for their children - we have incredible treasures on our hands... I for one will help my son find his passion and support him all the way in his pursuit of it; and if his passion is laying bricks or fitting pipes, more power to him!
Ah, I'm ranting and raving again. One last point - one of you wonderful parents has a tagline that reads something like "Don't sweat the small stuff - and it's ALL small stuff!". Take this to heart and live it. :)
I hear you Tina. Before my 5yo son was diagnosed ADHD and I would complain to my mom about what a handful he was, she would always say, "Yes, but I know he's going to do somethign very special some day. You can just tell." I so agree that these kids are special. My hyper/impuslive child is bright beyond his years, curious and a ton of fun. I just sometimes wish others would look at these kids the same way we do! When we told his preschool teacher that some of his acting up might be because he was smart and thus bored, she kind of dismissed it. Then when they did reading tests she commented to us that she was so surprised to find how well he coudl read. Duh!!! We told you that! Here's to a better future!I awoke with a start this morning with what I thought was kind of a brilliant idea. My son is in middle school and he has been really struggling with remembering to bring home textbooks-outright losing them, and also handouts in class, etc.Also, his backpack is about as heavy at times as luggage. So, in my opinion, ADHD kids should have a different learning experience in general and that schools as set up now are NOT conducive to ADHD issues WHATSOEVER even with IEPs and additional help. (My son also has executive function issues too.)
So, my ideas were that textbooks and handouts be available in an online format so that our kids can at least be able to be an internet connection away from what they need. I am sure this thought process can be stretched to add solutions to other problems our kids have and I am hoping for the next generation of ADHD kids, a better way of educating them.
Thoughts?
lots of kids go "paperless" in their IEP's in older grades. It's a GREAT tool. Laptops so the kids can have everything with them electronically at all times.
For schools not able/willing to have it on-line, a second set of text books at home has been very helpful to us!
Sounds great to me! Something you can do right now is have an extra set of text books put into the 504 or IEP. My son is in middle school and has this. When I requested it I stated that since he brought home more work than most students, his backpack was just too heavy. We weighed it once and it was 35 pounds and he only weighs 65 pounds. (He is in orchestra so he has some extra binders.) He is unusually underweight, but I think how heavy the back pack is could be a factor for a lot of kids. Before we had this, I made a lot of trips back to school for fogotten text books!
Absolutely!! I remember the first year of middle school I requested that I have a set of text books for home, and the teacher told me no!! Luckily, I had a supportive counselor on my side as well as my sons. That set at home made life a lot easier. I've received copies of textbooks on CD too. It can be done.
I will always remember the semester my son had a teacher who wouldn't let my son turn in an assignment "early". I thought this was ridulous and I was furious! This same teacher emailed me about how my DS would lose assignments. This particular time she noted he had done it, but it wasn't due until the next week. So I asked if he could turn it in ... we both knew that by the time the due date rolled around, that assignment would be missing. To me, she was setting him up to fail rather than encouraging his efforts. Her policy was that she didn't accept early assignments from anyone so no exceptions were given.
Well .... as a special ed teacher, I know different. You MUST advocate for your child. NOONE else will!!