Careless errors, misunderstanding directions, doing the work but forgetting to put the answer in the appropriate space, are most definitely related to ADD. She may also have anxiety related to test taking.

My son used to do all of those things when he was first diagnosed. Once he was on the correct dose of medication, it wasn't a problem any more. Does your daughter have an IEP or a 504 plan? If so, talk to the 504 coordinator or ESE coordinator for ideas on how to make the appropriate accomodations to help your daughter. If she is on medication, her dosage may need to be adjusted. It is hard for some people to understand how a gifted child can make those type of errors and incorrectly assume that the child or teen is lazy or doesn't understand the material. If the teacher or school doesn't have a good understanding of what ADD is, this could be a problem. There is also a possibility that the problem could be caused by depression or anxiety, especially if this has only recently been ocurring. If you are not sure, have her evaluated by your doctor.

Good luck, Elaine

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Thanks Elaine, I appreciate the information. Yes she has a 504 plan and I will definately follow up. Dianne

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I have Algebra issues with my 9th grader. He is in an stepped-up Algebra Integrated Math (newer course for NY Students) and is regularly challenged. He basically knows it but the way his teacher teaches it is all over the place w/the book. Algebra seems to be taught not from beginning to end but as page 1 then page 100 then back to page 5 then page 66 then page 4 then page 200 then page 50...get the idea? Kind of hard for an ADD/ADHD kid to follow. Especially if no one outside of the class is available to help. My step-mom is helping my son when he brings the papers w/us to visit each weekend for the past 3-4 weeks. She taught it, not good at it, but good enough to at least know the terms and how to look up what is needed.

I took it 1 yr. went for teacher tutoring 2/3 x week and failed class and exam cause I didn't understand. Then took again following year with another teacher and passed course high 80's + low 90's and tfinal est with 87. That was 35+ yrs ago! And I still don't understand algebra.

College student to tutor?, Sylvan, learning center at your child's school for help? Any of these possible?

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Patti,

My first suggestions would be to get the state standards for Algebra. Compare what your son is learning and the sequence with the state standards. If they are the same, then you know what will come up as the days go along. If there is a difference in sequence, get with the instructor and ask her for the plan to her madness. Teaching in a public school requires submitted lesson plans, so she has to know where she is taking the class.

Once you have the sections that are coming up, you can review them ahead of time and help your child see how they are tied together. You can also access some of the online learning sites to use the tutorials. Check the website of the publishers of your son's book. McDougal-Littel, Pearson, Glencoe all have excellent review materials and supplements online. Glencoe is my favorite because they have "Parent and Student Review". I refer parents and students to this portion of their site because it explains the skills in simplified form. It is a great review for parents before sitting down with the student. Their are sample problems and if your chld masters them, you can be assured they have mastered the basics of the section.

If the text your son is using is hard to read, get a different one. The topics are the same, but different books are written in different ways.

Caron Rivera The Hangar, LLC Academic Coaching and Mentoring Bradenton, Florida

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