Help! I need school tips

Hi-

My 6yo is starting 1st grade. He is adhd with a lot of impulse control problems as well as poor social skills. He did okay in Kind and does not have an IEP yet, although we feel it is in his future. The school wants to "see how it goes" and put together an informal plan before starting IEP talk. My major concern is recess and the lunchroom...he doesn't handle unstructured situations well and gets really wild and agressive. They will not give him an aide for the playground..they only do that for "educational issues" not behavioral and say that "nothing has happened yet, and he did okay last year." But, even though now he is on meds, the playground and sports were a BIG problem at camp.  I have an "intervention" meeting next week and I want to give them some playground suggestions, except I don't have any! Any tips from all you experienced people out there??:)

My son had an aide that watched him from afar at both lunch and recess.  My son didn't know that she was following him around.  Hopefully, he will be able to ditch her this year!   

This was not written into his IEP, but the school thought it best for his well being and the well being of others.

My son was exactly like your son 4 years ago.  We started medication and that is what finally helped him, however I know that decision is not for everyone.  However, I would make sure in the interim that you document IN WRITING to the principal that your child needs supervision during unstructured times due to his impulse control issues (is he formally dx?)  Make sure they do a full diagnosis (request one in writing) if this hasn't been done before.   Schools need to pay for special services for children so they try to put it off or not give services any way they can.  That is why this "we'll see what happens in Sept" attitude exists.  However, once you request full testing for your son they must legally do it within 60 days.

Anyway, if you do not document your concerns in writing it can come back to haunt you if your child gets aggressive on the playground.  Believe me they will suspend him pretty quickly.  However, if you have documented that you requested supervision you have a better leg to stand on if this issue occurs (I speak from experience, believe me).

Aschu,

If you feel your son needs an aide for the playground then you should try for it.  Ask for an IEP for 504.  In my opinion, it's better to start off with an aide that could descretely prevent problems then wait till there are problems then deal with it.  You don't want you son being thought of negativley by the other kids because he acts out in unsupervised situations.  Once kids have a negative opinion of another child, it's hard for them to change their minds.