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Attention Deficit Disorder and Success in School Practical Advice for Surviving the School Year by Judith Stubbs, L.H. copyright 1997 (Note: Although this article covers what one can do at the end of a school term, Introduction As an educational therapist in private practice and the mother of an ADHD child, I know first hand how serious things can be at school and home this time of the year. This is the time of year things start falling apart for ADD students and their families. In my practice, I do liaison work to try to keep families and teachers/districts talking to each other in a civilized manner. This is not easy!! Why does it all seem to be so much worse in the late spring? What leads up to this terrible situation? In this article, I hope to help you through this time by analyzing what happens and give some practical advice to prevent this next year. Why is it Getting Worse? How Does This Happen? By this time in the school year, teachers and students are getting on each others' nerves, Teachers' fuses are shorter as students push their limits. Small, but constant or repetitious annoying behaviors that were tolerated during the year seem to make adults or peers react more negatively now. People seem to have just had it with ADD students. Why can't they ever get anything turned in on time? Why does it take so long to start? Their constant interruptions are so annoying! And why the heck can't they just sit down and stay there for one whole period?!? Deep down, I believe most teachers and parents think that their student (son or daughter) will finally "get it" and the behavior will start to change. When this doesn't happen, they feel more frustrated and even angry, as they don't know what to try next. By this time, the student has been reprimanded, criticized, has failed in academics and/or in social situations, and is fast losing his self-esteem. His/her attitude is probably going downhill, as well. What Can You Do Right Now? No this is not another one of those lectures about having family meetings, going to meetings and counseling, etc, etc, etc. Instead, here are some immediate, realistic suggestions to help you deal with the frustration of the situation. Remember to breathe, count to 10 (well, maybe 5) before you act. Talk briefly to your child about his/her attitude & try to use the "I" messages. Believe me, I know how tempting it is to give him a long list of the "stupid" or "irresponsible" things that he has done. Keep reminding yourself that that will surely stop the discussion and send him packing . Let the child talk without being interrupted; he tells things from his point of view. (He must then listen to your opinion without interruption) Make this talk personal, as most ADDs respond to emotion rather than nagging. Keep your temper; if you have to "vent", run or swim it off, talk to another parent with similar concerns. Keep a journal: not anything fancy-just a tablet open at all times so you can just jot something down, date it and look at it later. Put down things that seem unfair or make life harder for your child or your family. If you have a behavior chart or point system already, go to it rather than yelling all the time at your child. Even you are only able to get to it once a week, it is worthwhile doing. How Can We Prevent this from Happening Next Year? Resolve right now that by September of next year you will have a folder of information on your child for the teacher, principal, and other support people. There are no guarantees because a lot depends on the type of teacher, learning environment and expectations at the school. HOWEVER, going into the school year in September with the best information you can gather, is an excellent strategy for success. You are your child's main "case worker." Start collecting now!! Bring in this information early in the year. Make the sections short, concise, easy to read. You have all summer to work on it. This folder should contain: At least one diagnosis of ADD by a medical practitioner, a counselor, and/or other professional Check lists for ADD that have been filled out by someone in the school setting as well as outside the school. It should be a thorough one like the Anser System by Dr. Levine, not just the short one pager that most schools give out. Check Academic Therapy Publishers in Navato, Ca for other lists. A few samples of work, showing both strengths and weaknesses. If possible have an educational specialist evaluate his learning style and any learning disabilities that might complicate his situation on top of the ADD. Do not mix the LD problems with the ADD, even though ADD symptoms impact performance in the classroom. Give learning styles, things that work with your child. Make it generic for anyone to use. (Tactile, visual, auditory learner? Likes hands-on activities?) Your ideas about what works academically or behaviorally for your child-what can they expect him to do when things get tough and what are some ideas to help him make a safe place for him to go, let him take a walk or move, have more time on assignments, shorter writing, etc. A summary regarding the child's social-emotional needs A report on a complete physical by the family doctor. Keep it current. (within 6 months) Report cards or comments by teachers if they point up true weaknesses, (and strengths) not just negative comments A section of things the student is good at: soccer, drawing, clubs or activities, computer skills and knowledge, etc; short notes from anyone praising (there must be some of those around!); awards of any kind A letter requesting either Student Study Meeting or testing (or both) by the school and district A Student Study Meeting is a process where information is gathered, questions are posed about the student's abilities. Student needs and progress are explained, Brainstorming is done for strategies in the classroom and at home to help him succeed. Academic and psychological testing may or not be indicated, depending on the individual case. Build up Your Child's Health. Investigate, read, research alternatives to drugs: dietary changes and/or vitamin therapy is one I strongly recommend and can give specific information on one that has proven results with many ADDs. Find a Support Group. Find a support group or support people (do not do this alone!! or just another parent of a similar child and talk periodically. Check resources like PHP (Parents Helping Parents) CHADD or similar groups across the country. They run support groups, send out helpful information, connect you with other parents, and link you up with various resources to help, such as Parents Helping Parents. Check out video or audio tapes on ADD/management. Leave around house for others to watch too. Is there a mentor, someone who understands your child , in the school? Ask for their input and invite them to come to any meetings about your child. Talk to your best friend, let your frustrations out in a safe way. Behavior Management, Reports from School: Work out strong, specific positive reinforcement plan to be done by teacher with follow-up at home. Stick to it. Get a plan with your spouse or other adult to back you up and stick together. Have a weekly report from the teacher(s). Use rerward at home to reinforce it. Acknowledge to the teacher that this is usually a tough time and ask how you can follow up at home Give the teacher break & take care of yourself, too. If things are really heating up, take your child out for an R.and R. Day. If you can, do something with him that you both enjoy and relieve the tension. ( If you can't afford a whole day off, pick him up early or sleep in late one day) Do something to make you laugh; go to see a funny movie. Go to the gym, get your hair cut, buy something new,plant flowers,..you get the idea. By All Means, Do Not Give Up, or Lose Heart. By all means, do not give up, or lose heart. Hang in there another few days. You are a vital part of your child's success. He really relies on you, no matter what his behavior or words say. Just think, soon he'll be home for the summer!! What is an Individual Educational Evaluation? This is a very individual evaluation that is different for each child. An Educational Therapist or Educational Psychologist can do it when they see the child in person at their office. If you are local (Santa Clara County in California), call my office at (408) 496-1660. If not, you can go to the website of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET@aol.com) to find one in your area. Also, you can go to a very helpful website PHP.com (Parents Helping Parents) and go to their national referral center to find similar resource centers near you You also have a legal right to request that the school and district do the evaluation, but sometimes because of the number of students and limited resources, this evaluation might not be done in as much depth as a private assessment. There are three areas which this evaluation should address: academic assessment (where is his reading level? How is decoding,comprehension? How are math skills? Word problems vs computation? Definitely get a writing sample from a reliable test of written lang. social-emotional (is he/she moody, reistive? emotional? problems making friends or cooperating? A psychologist or a marraige and family counselor can check out what is going on) Physical body (have a check-up by doctor and collect info on allergies, vitamin therapies-they can make a huge difference in ability to focus, be organized, take in information better etc.). I hope this is helpful to clarify this issue. Please do not mix up an Educational evaluation with an I.E.P. which is a legal document (Individualized Educational Plan) made up for children who qualify for special education) For More Information
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