I have three kids with adhd between the ages of 4 and 14. Two have inattentive type and one hyperativity type adhd. Kids with this disorder often fall through the cracks at school unless their behavior disrupts their class, especially the inattentive type adhd. I find that I have to explain this disorder to teachers every year, but all have been really receptive to requests to do things certain ways with my kids. For instance, I ask teachers to keep my kids close to them so that when the teachers walk around the classroom, my kids will refocus on their words. I've also asked elementary teachers to keep my son next to a kid who is particularly on top of things so when they turn a page in a book, my kid can do what they do. These little things work well within a class. Once they get home from school however, whoa! The kids fall apart. It seems that they try so hard to be "good" that they're exhausted by the time they get home and all means of staying on task leaves.
For those of you who have kids like mine, what strategies do you use, both at home and at school that you find work for you?
Are your kids on special diets? Do they take meds? Do you have an IEP or 504 plan in place? Do you use special equipment to help them stay on task at school or at home?
My son was just diagosed
My son was just diagosed with ADHD this past summer and he just entered the 4th grade. I worked and worked with the school and teachers since kindergarten with his school work and special things for him and suggested to have him tested for an IEP every year at least once. However, the school kept turning him down because his grades wern't bad enough in all the areas. I would spend hours a night on homework with him, it was an absolute nightmare. I ended up using a generic form letter requesting my son be tested for an IEP under the Amerian disialibities Act for Sepcial Education, and gave one to the school principle and one to the school counselor. It wasn't even 24 hours after they received the letter that they were calling me to set up an appointment to have my son tested. This is exactly what he needed and this is what had to be done before they would even look at him for extra help. He did qualify for an IEP and he's had this extra help for the past year and I cannot tell you the difference in his school work and his confindence. It has made all the difference in the world to him having this extra help. I'm very thankful for the wonderful school staff that works with him in helping him to suceed.
That's awesome that they
That's awesome that they were able to help you. Thanks for sharing your story.