Failing Again | ADHD Information

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Hi- so many of us have been in your shoes. First, speak with your daughter and see if anything is bothering her and ask her why she thinks she is failing? Is it due to not turning assignments? Not understanding? Not seeing or hearing correctly? Then, Please make a conference appointment with her teacher and see what her teacher says about her behavior and turning in work.

Finally, make an immediate appointment with your child's doctor and notify the school that you want to meet with the counselor and set up a 504. It doesn't matter if they think your daughter is doing OK. She is on meds and needs some extra help. One final thing- try not to compare her with other children. It is hard enough for her now as it is. My 9 year old is doing 2nd grade work and we will slowly work up to grade level in the next few years. We are in no hurry. I do homeschool and therefore it is easier for us.

Let us know what the doctor, teacher and your daughter says. You are a great mom for reaching out for help for your child.

Randy

Glad you are feeling better. Disorganization is a very large component of adhd. It isn't something these children (and adults) can help, there is just too much buzzing going around in their brains. When Jon was in school last year he had a journal that had all his assignments written and a folder to put finished work in but still was unable to do these sequential activities well. That is one of the reasons we homeschool. There are a lot of companies that have complete curriculum and pretty much all we do is offer encouragement. Plus, there are 'virtual' classes on line for students. You are smart to be thinking about it so early- you can research it for a while.

Randy

THanks Randy, I have talk with teacher and she is trying to stay on top of her but with 19 other students in her class. It does take both of us. I have talk with the couselers also. THey haven't written a 504 but if she feels she needs to she can take tests out in the hall. And she is isolated from the rest of the class by being next to the teacher with her back to the class. I did find out On the math work she was doing she didn't understnad it. So we worked with her tonught and it seems she gets it now. Launage is she say she put the unfinished paper in her desk and then forgets agout them. Science I am not sure aht happened ther it was just volcabulary words that had the defintations in the back of the book. She is telling me alot of excuses and so far the only one i believe is the math one. She is getting distracted or someone is bothering her. Or I forgot. I know forgetting is part of ADHD. But when the assignments are written on the board all she needs to do it go throught them one by one and shee if she got done at the end of the day. I a mafraid she is using ADHD as an excuse. We get progress reports in a couple of weeks if things don't improve by then then I will talk to her Dr. Thank for the encourgement. I needed it today.

As for homeschool I may be doing that next year with her if thing don't improve. I just not sure I have enough confindence in myself to do it. We will just have to wait and see I guess. But I have always admired moms who do have the patience to do that. Thanks Again Melissa

gmsouth,
I feel badly for you and your daughter.
Here are some of my thoughts:
- If I were you, I would not worry about whether or not your daughter is using "excuses." Every "excuse" that you mention is something that my daughter has also had a problem with, particularly in 5th grade. Instead I would adopt the attitude that whatever obstacles are getting in the way of her learning and succeeding in school, together you will find a solution!
- Although the teacher has 19 other students, she has a responsibility to each and every one of them, including your daughter. If something is not working and your daughter is failing classes, it his her job to help find solutions!
- Although you daughter did not qualify for an IEP, she should be able to get a 504 plan, based on her ADHD diagnosis, that would allow her accommodations to help her do what she needs to in order to succeed. Some accommodations could be having the teacher check to make sure she's written down assignments correctly, having the teacher check to make sure she takes home any incomplete work each night, being allowed to turn in work late, having the teacher email you weekly progress reports and/or a weekly list of assignments, or a weekly list of any assignments your daughter is missing.
- Your daughter is already repeating 5th grade and is now receiving failing grades again; this is a serious situation. It is not acceptable. I would make sure that everyone knows that allowing her to fail again is not an acceptable option. Her school should be concerned and should be working to help her. I would  NOT threaten your daughter with repeating again. I'm sure she feels badly enough about herself. I would tell the school, the teacher, and your daughter that this will NOT happen again, that she is a bright girl with a bright future, and that you will all work hard to make sure she can learn and succeed in school.


My daughter is 11, she was dionoged with ADHD in the second grade. She should be in the 6th this year but she completliy failed the 5th grade last year. So she is repeating it. With turn out to be a good thing. She was making better grades, makeing more friends. And I notice she just seemed happier this year. She is on Vyavanse 70 mg and it took all year last year to find the right dose of med and the right med. We had a ADHD checkup in Sep. at that time she was doing great and I let the doctor know that. She she said since she is doing great that she would see her again in 4 months. Well not two weeks after that appointments she started rubbing or scratching her nose. then I noticed at home I am having to stay on her to do things to get it done. Stuff that she does everyday that she knows she has to do. Then I check the computer last night for her grades. She is making 4 F's All because she had got zeros. She either hasn't done the work or hasn't turned it in. So it is causing her to fail again. I am so scard that she is going to fail again. I asked hewr how would it look to other kids in  her class if she were 12 and all the other students were 10 and she was 12. We have had her tested for an IEP and she didn't quilify the tester said she was learning so she didn't qulify. Her desk is right by her teacher's with her back to the class. I guess I just don't know whether to wait until Jan. for her next checkup or to go ahead and take her back and start the process again of finding the right dose and right meds. I just so frustrated when we finelly find the right dose of med her body adjusts itself and it stop working. Why can't we just find one that works and dosn't stop. I guess I am just feeling sorry for myself now. I just don't know what to do to help my daughter succeed. Melissa