Any Advice Please | ADHD Information

Help! I am a single mother raising two daughters on my own. My youngest daughter who is now 7 was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4 while in preschool. The preschool teacher thought she was just being unruly but after seeing our physician she was properly diagnosed with ADHD. Well now my little angel is in 1st grade and does not seem to be progressing with the others. She is very smart but getting her to focus on a task is close to impossible. I have told her teacher on several different occassions that she has ADHD. Her teacher does not either want to listen to me or just does not care. Now she is threatening to retain my daughter in the 1st grade. In addition to her ADHD my daughter is attempting to cope with my recent divorce from her stepfather whom she was very close to(he raised her from 18mo.) as well as a mentally abusive biological father & his live in girlfriend. I would like some suggestions or comments on how I can better help her cope, help her teacher to understand or listen to me, and any info that may help me as well. I welcome any comments. Thank you so much for reading this.

shybunny,

you need to call the diagnostician in your school district. it sounds like she needs to have some extra help and maybe some extra counseling. She needs to be put in the, what we called it when we were kids, special education. that doesn't mean that she is mr, but they are there to give her the attention she needs in the right areas. The teacher should have already suggested it, but sounds like she is lacking in the proper knowledge for ADHD. If she is in the program designed for her at school, you will be surprised as to how fast and how much she will improve. Good Luck. And it will get better. Call the school's office and ask how to have her tested and set up and ARD meeting.

My daughter sees the school social worker as a way for her to express how she feels. My daughter does get special education, reading, speech, assistance in the classroom, and PPt every three months. The teacher aware of her condition should be supportive, and tell what resources are available. I would contact the principal, or the Board of Education to have your daughter tested to see where she compares to other students in the first gradel. They will also evaluate because sometimes if they hold the child back it will do further damage to hold the child behind, while all her peers move forward. The school should be keeping you up to date. Definately request that you want a ppt to address the issues that you have. Keep us posted and also counseling would be a great idea. For you and her together, her, and you. My daughter who is nine her father is in prison and has been for two years we went to counseling and it has helped us a great deal. So hang in there it will get better, you just have to take some action.

Dear Ogram,

Thank you so much for your advice. I am definately going to call my daughters school on Monday morning and get the ball rolling. Thanks for giving me some sound advice and some hope.

shybunny...i also think that your daughter would benefit from counseling. She has issues with her biologial dad, and youall have gone through a divorce...these things have a huge emotional impact on children. It's hard to focus on schoolwork when you are worried about your life at home. She may feel directly or indirectly responsible for your divorce, and for the way her biological father and his gf treat her. She may also have added stress from her peers....kids can be cruel, as we all know. She may feel the teacher is singling her out unfairly. Sounds like she's under a lot of stress, and counseling could help her cope with that.

i think that unfortunately, some teachers just don't get it. i agree with ogram that you should contact the school immediately to get any and all help available to you and your daughter.

Good luck~

shelby

shybunny...i found this by clicking on one of the helpful Google ads, hope it helps:

A medical diagnosis of AD/HD doesn't automatically qualify your child for special education. Your child must be assessed and found eligible by the public school's multidisciplinary team in order to qualify for services. If she's experiencing academic problems along with AD/HD, you or the teacher may request an evaluation to see if she qualifies for special education services.

Kids with AD/HD may be eligible under "specific learning disability" since attention problems may be the cause of significant academic difficulties. Or they may qualify as "emotionally disturbed" if their social or emotional behaviors negatively affect their ability to learn. Or they can be considered "other health impaired" if they have limited strength, vitality, or alertness (including increased attention to environmental stimuli which results in limited concentration in the educational setting) and the AD/HD adversely affects their educational performance.

If your child with AD/HD doesn't qualify for special education, she may be eligible for accommodations, such as preferential seating, in the general education classroom under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This law prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability. She qualifies if the public school's multidisciplinary 504 team agrees that, in comparison to the average child with no disability, she has an impairment that "substantially limits one or more major life activities."

If your child doesn't qualify for these services, then her needs may be addressed in the general education classroom.

http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=26

i found this on the same website, hope it helps:

There are many reasons why teachers recommend students repeat a grade. Which of the following reasons does your child’s teacher give? (If the teacher hasn’t told you, ask!)

Your child’s state-wide or district-wide test scores are well below grade level.
Your child is “emotionally immature” (young for her age).
Your child is in special education and she hasn’t made enough progress toward the goals in her IEP.

Research shows that there are few (if any) benefits, but many disadvantages, to repeating a grade. For instance, if the approach to instruction isn’t modified, the child probably won’t succeed any better the second time around. In fact, being “held back” often harms a child’s motivation and self-esteem.

Find out what options are available:

Whether your child is held back or not, ask her school (including her IEP team, if she has one) which of the following options are available:

Summer school (sometimes called extended year). Make sure the curriculum addresses your child’s
area(s) of need.
Revised IEP goals to better address your child’s needs
More targeted instruction methods
Additional classroom accommodations
Intensive tutoring in your child’s area(s) of difficulty. This might involve one-on-one tutoring or attending the homework club at school.

Making the final decision:

The school may or may not have the authority to make the final decision on holding your daughter back a grade. The laws on this issue vary from state to state. Here’s what you can do:

Find out what your state law says about decision-making authority regarding grade retention.
Ask your child’s principal what your school district’s policy is.
If your child receives special education services, be sure her IEP team is involved in making the final decision.

Hopefully, you and the school will be able to come to an agreement. If you still aren’t satisfied, ask your school district what the appeal process is. If you plan to appeal, you might consider consulting with a professional advocate or attorney.

http://www.schwablearning.org/worried.asp?w=17

jack'smom38402.4196296296

shybunny,

With the decisions you are faced with, remember that the advise in the forums are just that, advise. To make an educated decision, you should consult your child dr and the school officials. My child has ADHD and in my state, that qualifies him for the program. Most schools want children that struggle in the program. "No child left behind" That is the new motto. I don't know anything about you child being held back a grade, but what Jack's Mom said sounds good. Good luck.




	Any Advice Please Help! I am a single mother raising two daughters on my own. My youngest daughter who is now 7 was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4 while in preschool. The preschool teacher thought she was just being unruly but after seeing our physician she was properly diagnosed with ADHD. Well now my little angel is in 1st grade and does not seem to be progressing with the others. She is very smart but getting her to focus on a task is close to impossible. I have told her teacher on several different occassions that she has ADHD. Her teacher does not either want to listen to me or just does not care. Now she is threatening to retain my daughter in the 1st grade. In addition to her ADHD my daughter is attempting to cope with my recent divorce from her stepfather whom she was very close to(he raised her from 18mo.) as well as a mentally abusive biological father & his live in girlfriend. I would like some suggestions or comments on how I can better help her cope, help her teacher to understand or listen to me, and any info that may help me as well. I welcome any comments. Thank you so much for reading this. shybunny, you need to call the diagnostician in your school district. it sounds like she needs to have some extra help and maybe some extra counseling. She needs to be put in the, what we called it when we were kids, special education. that doesn't mean that she is mr, but they are there to give her the attention she needs in the right areas. The teacher should have already suggested it, but sounds like she is lacking in the proper knowledge for ADHD. If she is in the program designed for her at school, you will be surprised as to how fast and how much she will improve. Good Luck. And it will get better. Call the school's office and ask how to have her tested and set up and ARD meeting. My daughter sees the school social worker as a way for her to express how she feels. My daughter does get special education, reading, speech, assistance in the classroom, and PPt every three months. The teacher aware of her condition should be supportive, and tell what resources are available. I would contact the principal, or the Board of Education to have your daughter tested to see where she compares to other students in the first gradel. They will also evaluate because sometimes if they hold the child back it will do further damage to hold the child behind, while all her peers move forward. The school should be keeping you up to date. Definately request that you want a ppt to address the issues that you have. Keep us posted and also counseling would be a great idea. For you and her together, her, and you. My daughter who is nine her father is in prison and has been for two years we went to counseling and it has helped us a great deal. So hang in there it will get better, you just have to take some action. Dear Ogram, Thank you so much for your advice. I am definately going to call my daughters school on Monday morning and get the ball rolling. Thanks for giving me some sound advice and some hope. shybunny...i also think that your daughter would benefit from counseling. She has issues with her biologial dad, and youall have gone through a divorce...these things have a huge emotional impact on children. It's hard to focus on schoolwork when you are worried about your life at home. She may feel directly or indirectly responsible for your divorce, and for the way her biological father and his gf treat her. She may also have added stress from her peers....kids can be cruel, as we all know. She may feel the teacher is singling her out unfairly. Sounds like she's under a lot of stress, and counseling could help her cope with that. i think that unfortunately, some teachers just don't get it. i agree with ogram that you should contact the school immediately to get any and all help available to you and your daughter. Good luck~ shelby shybunny...i found this by clicking on one of the helpful Google ads, hope it helps: A medical diagnosis of AD/HD doesn't automatically qualify your child for special education. Your child must be assessed and found eligible by the public school's multidisciplinary team in order to qualify for services. If she's experiencing academic problems along with AD/HD, you or the teacher may request an evaluation to see if she qualifies for special education services. Kids with AD/HD may be eligible under "specific learning disability" since attention problems may be the cause of significant academic difficulties. Or they may qualify as "emotionally disturbed" if their social or emotional behaviors negatively affect their ability to learn. Or they can be considered "other health impaired" if they have limited strength, vitality, or alertness (including increased attention to environmental stimuli which results in limited concentration in the educational setting) and the AD/HD adversely affects their educational performance. If your child with AD/HD doesn't qualify for special education, she may be eligible for accommodations, such as preferential seating, in the general education classroom under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This law prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability. She qualifies if the public school's multidisciplinary 504 team agrees that, in comparison to the average child with no disability, she has an impairment that "substantially limits one or more major life activities." If your child doesn't qualify for these services, then her needs may be addressed in the general education classroom. http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=26 i found this on the same website, hope it helps: There are many reasons why teachers recommend students repeat a grade. Which of the following reasons does your child’s teacher give? (If the teacher hasn’t told you, ask!) Your child’s state-wide or district-wide test scores are well below grade level. Your child is “emotionally immature” (young for her age). Your child is in special education and she hasn’t made enough progress toward the goals in her IEP. Research shows that there are few (if any) benefits, but many disadvantages, to repeating a grade. For instance, if the approach to instruction isn’t modified, the child probably won’t succeed any better the second time around. In fact, being “held back” often harms a child’s motivation and self-esteem. Find out what options are available: Whether your child is held back or not, ask her school (including her IEP team, if she has one) which of the following options are available: Summer school (sometimes called extended year). Make sure the curriculum addresses your child’s area(s) of need. Revised IEP goals to better address your child’s needs More targeted instruction methods Additional classroom accommodations Intensive tutoring in your child’s area(s) of difficulty. This might involve one-on-one tutoring or attending the homework club at school. Making the final decision: The school may or may not have the authority to make the final decision on holding your daughter back a grade. The laws on this issue vary from state to state. Here’s what you can do: Find out what your state law says about decision-making authority regarding grade retention. Ask your child’s principal what your school district’s policy is. If your child receives special education services, be sure her IEP team is involved in making the final decision. Hopefully, you and the school will be able to come to an agreement. If you still aren’t satisfied, ask your school district what the appeal process is. If you plan to appeal, you might consider consulting with a professional advocate or attorney. http://www.schwablearning.org/worried.asp?w=17 jack'smom38402.4196296296 shybunny, With the decisions you are faced with, remember that the advise in the forums are just that, advise. To make an educated decision, you should consult your child dr and the school officials. My child has ADHD and in my state, that qualifies him for the program. Most schools want children that struggle in the program. "No child left behind" That is the new motto. I don't know anything about you child being held back a grade, but what Jack's Mom said sounds good. Good luck.	Enter Your Email below to claim your Free Book