I just read a lot of the posts on this site. I noticed how concerned all of us are about our children. I want to share my experiences so that it my help another family or teacher who may be going through the same thing. I have an 8 year old son who is happy, energetic, delightful, and at times quite the handful. He was diagnosed with ADHD at 5 years old, when he was in Kindergaden. My son was having extreme difficulty sitting still, focusing, and was most dustrubingly impulsive. It was really hard for me because my son was always extremely affectionate, loving, and most of all happy at home.. However, he was always overly active and a bit of a handful.. When my son entered Kindergarden the night mare began. He attended the school in the district we lived in. It started immeadiatly. I would receive notes saying "Jack had a bad day, he was disruptive in class, and out of his chair all the time". I was concerned right away so I met with the his teacher to assure her I would not tolerate that behavoir from him, while at the same time I noticed her lack of concern for him at all or acknoledgment that Jack was 5. I, at first came down on Jack and would punish him and tell him how unacceptable it was to behave that way in school. I did not realize Jack had ADHD and I was beside myself with his behavior. I met with the teacher, guidance counceler, and principal. All claimed Jack was so sweet and was not intentionally behaving this way and that I should have him evaluated for ADHD. I was still apprehensive about it because I felt deep down, that Jack's teacher was really not a good teacher but I knew Jack's behavior was making hard for her to teach. I came to that conclusion because I insisted on sitting in on her class to help and observe so I could see his behavior for myself. She was older, and not in good health so I think she was done. Jack was also hard to watch because he was disruptive in class but in a way I realized, he didn't seem to have much control of himself. Jack came home from school with his shirt soking wet from sucking on it. He was s nervous he would chew his nails down the bone. I also observed this in the class and I was perplexed. He did not do this at home. Jack was not the only child his teacher had issues with. It was so painful to watch her teach. She was very old school in her teaching method, rigid, with no flexibilty and always negative. The tone in her voice was as if she was annoyed all the time and there wasn't much movement aloud in her classroom. I spoke with the guidance councelor many times about my concerns. She was wonderful and gave so many resources ( one of them this magazine). I did so much research and started finding out as much as I could about ADHD. In the meantime, I tried to have Jack removed from her class to another but the classes were so full that it was not possible. I did have Jack thoughrouly evaluated at NSCH and he was diagnosed with ADHD. They also gave his teacher an evaluation to do on Jack. The psycholgists told me that they were concerned with her evaluation of Jack because it conflicted with thier observations and measured in the extreme catagory for ADHD which was also conflicting with what they found. While Jack showed all signs of having ADHD, he had tested above average in all acedemic areas except reading. I realized Jack did have a lot of trouble mostly being still and she was probably not the most suitable teacher for him. It was a tough school year for Jack but we managed to get through it I did every thing I could to help and worked with the guidance councelor to come up with a 504 plan so we could have it in place for grade 1. I also met with 3 of the 1st grade teacher to give them an overview of Jack and what might be helpful to them to keep him on track. I had a much better feeling about these teachers. I was still so nervous for Jack when he started 1st grade. His 1st grade teacher was a very good teacher, and very caring. Jack still had problems sitting and keeping focused. He talked to much and blurted out things without raising his hand.. His teacher worked with him and me to keep Jack on track. I would meet with his teacher weekly and kept close tabs by email. He was also having difficulty with reading comprehension and fluency. I still had some of the same issues because Jack couldn't seem to get the individual help he needed. I also tried medication for Jack toltally against what I thought.. It did help Jack with sitting in his seat and kept him from being so impulsive with his words. The teacher was trying so hard but she had 5 other children with different disabilities and a handful of children who couldn't speak English. I was so scared Jack would fall behind. That’s when I started looking into private schools. His teacher secretly told me," I was a very caring mother and she never saw anyone so on top of things in regard to Jack" She also, said 'the schools just do not have the resources to help kids like Jack and If I could to put him in a private school". I looked for most of that year and I found the perfect private school that I thought most suited for Jack. It is the Clark School in Danvers MA. We noticed a difference in Jack within the first couple of week. Withing a month we could see his self-esteem return, he was not biting on his shirt or nails, and he was even writing and reading better. Now, he's been in the school for a year and half. He will be in 3rd grade this year and he's excelling and he's most of all happy.. I feel it is the most suitable school for Jack. The indiviual attention and small class size alone is what is essential for children with ADHD.I wish we could figure that out in the public schools. It is about money being able to afford more teachers, but how can teachers do their jobs with limited resources? I know very good teachers. Most are caring and want to do the best for these children but they need our help and the help of the school department to do so. They can not be the best if we do not provide resource. Work with the teacher not against. If you feel that your child may have a teacher who is just done or not going to be the best for your child, get them out of the classroom ans with a new teacher. When a teacher gets frustrated she/he must always remember that the child they me annoyed with is only that "a child" and needs all the support and caring they can get. I give teachers a lot of credit...I could not do it. That’s why I am not a teacher. I love my child and want the best for him.. It is my job to make his world okay.

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