First of all, see if the teacher offers after-school tutoring. If you are in New York with Integrated Algebra, a lot of the teachers are all over the book. My son was not understanding his and it has taken 6 months to finally get something done with it. He actually participates in class now, not causing trouble, but participating. He goes to teacher after school for help, has help on weekends from family teacher and CSE/IEP advocate, and is now in Resource Room. I just got an e-mail from his wknd/family tutor that his math teacher had sent (teacher e-mails and has sent all materials to her to help Corey) that Corey is finally getting it! He has scored 90 and 89 on most recent quizzes, tests, and brought his grade up almost 50 points in one marking period!! Wonderful things happen when the school actually has to help your child. GET AN IEP and ask for additional tutoring (if in nothing but math/algebra) (a lot of ADHD kids are good once they get to trig too--which is now part of integrated algebra).

My advocate is always telling me, that if you have an IEP, the parent holds all the cards. Don't ask for unnecessary things, but things like tutoring, resource room, extra help after school, even someone for your child to talk to (a counselor, therapist -- it doesn't mean your child has issues, but you pay school taxes whether you rent/own) so let your taxes help pay for getting your child the best education you can.

Extra books and worksheets for home (have them sent to you or your e-mail address--do not depend upon your child to bring them home--remember, organization is one of the symptoms of ADHD; and forgetting things is part of that organization issue). Quiet area for tests Unlimited time for tests (within reason--but they can take an hour if needed, less if needed). With an IEP, it is the law thru NCLB that they do these things for your child.

Also, make sure EACH AND EVERY TEACHER has a copy of the IEP so they are aware of the requirements in the classroom. Many try to get around issues by claiming they were unaware of an IEP. Granted they have so many students that they are not able to read all of their student information, so that is where you come in to make sure they are aware of your child's needs. I plan on copying and handing a copy to ALL of my son's teachers next year. They have no excuses then.

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My son was receiving after school tutoring. However, the retired teacher taught so differerently it confused the students and made things even worse. We (along with other parents) were advised to pull him out. His regular teacher does not offer after school help. How/where do you get an advocate?

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Firstly, the school tutoring.

Any tutor you use should have classroom materials that the teacher is using. Not their own. The retired teacher/tutor you all had should know that and should have received these materials from the teacher. Bad on both of them!! And you should tell both of them that (in a polite way of course. That tutor should not be tutoring something they don't know anyway.). I saw another idea listed last Friday about having friends over (if you are home) to do homework together (they can tutor each other and surprise you with what they actually know; you just need to make sure one of those kids is pretty good with the class.) My son's teacher sent materials to my step-mom (who is a teacher) re: what they were doing in class. She is not good at math but has enough knowledge to help and get him started and then they work it out together with the materials sent from his math teacher. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to help/tutor him. They are both learning. Today's math is not what it was 10 years ago or even longer ago than that. Actually not even what it was 3 years ago in New York State.

Getting an advocate: As far as an advocate to help get an IEP/CSE for your child, check at your local Learning Disabled Center and see if there is anyone there that can help. Seek out other parents of learning disabled children from either your job and/or your husbands, any family member's etc. I have worked with someone for over 12 years that had an IEP for her kid and I didn't even know her kid had challenges! Until I started the IEP thing for my son with my advocate assistance.And start reading about the NCLB laws (they may go away in/around June, 2008) (google: NCLB laws, IEP, CSE, ADHD. You'll find it. That's how I found it sorting thru bunches of online stuff).

Ask at your pediatrician's office. The nurses, Dr. anyone that may be there. My meeting is on March 27th, maybe after that I can give more help. I have never been able to get this far without an advocate; 504 was it for my kid. She came in talked the talk and they offered the meeting after 1.5 meetings. I have always had my son thru the psychological evaluations every school change (from school to middle school and now 9th grade and again next year in 'high' school when he changes schools again). Remember, each time your child changes schools, the counselors, psychologists, principles and administration changes. So do views, beliefs, and assistance. (I don't mean districts, just schools. Each separate school within a district has it's own of each of the above.)

There may even be lawyers out there that are advocating for children within the school district area. I know in Rochester we used to have something like that. Call your local legal (county) bar association and ask them if there are any practicing lawyers that deal with childrens educational situations and know anything about CSE/IEP and NCLB issues. Might cost, I am lucky, I have a family member that is a teacher and knows about this stuff. She took care of CSE/IEP's for her students. Even your pediatrician (if they are willing) can have a major effect on what happens in school with teachers, counselors, psychologists, administration regarding meds, and certain things.

Good luck. I'll try to get back after my meeting and share what I learned.

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