Have you looked into accommodations? Your daughter may be legally entitled to school accommodations.

Here is some useful information:

Accommodations

Accommodations for ADHD Students: A Parent's Guide

6 Accommodations for ADHD Students

I hope this helps, Dena

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Have you considered having a single folder with all subjects/projects/homework assignments/work in progress contained within. This would then be the only item to remember and could become part of the essential routine of the day to pack into the school bag.

You could also try having multiple copies of textbooks and work materials (pens, pencils, scissors etc)...one for home which stays in a "Homework Box" when not in use and one for at school. The school may even assist with the extra copies of books. This would mean that the only item to travel between school and home would be the multi-purpose folder. Or, if you are tech savvy, possibly a cheap notebook/laptop computer in place of a folder.

I know this might prove a little costly but the savings in embarassment and inappropriate disciplining by the school may be well worth it.

There was an article on this site some time ago about organisation for school which mentioned the multiple items/homework box and explained the ideas fully. It may be worth your while trying to find this article.

Hope this helps.

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Sadly, even having a 504 and eventually an IEP did nothing to help my 16yods. The school still chose to label everything he did wrong as willful disobedience and he would be punished for it. He now wants to drop out and they are all for the idea, after managing to get him out of there on homebound for paraphanalia charges and cigarettes in the restroom. I'm not saying he was right to have those things, not at all, but it iis pathetic how awful his school days have been since high school began. He took up smoking to relieve stress, and I believe it! Sad!

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Deconmike,

It sounds to me like your little girl is being punished for having a disability, whether or not the teachers are doing so intentionally. Forgetfulness is a symptom of this disorder, so giving her detention for forgetting books, homework, etc is like punishing a diabetic for having low blood sugar. Punishing her for a symptom of her disorder is absolutely discrimination in my book and I'd be willing to bet the ADA would agree. My advice is to first make both the school administration and your daughter's teacher aware that they are discriminating against her by giving her detention for a recognized complication of her disability. I would mention that she has rights to certain accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Next, I recommend checking out the ADA's website for any information on the subject. (I hope it's alright in this forum to post a website address.) The address is ADA.gov. ADHD is a recognized disability that falls under the Act and your daughter is entitled to the protections it provides. Punishing her for something she cannot help causes stress, which I'm sure you know certainly doesn't improve her memory. Growing up these days is tough enough and having ADHD makes it 100 times harder. I know - I grew up with ADHD but was just diagnosed a year ago by my pdoc and "officially" evaluated for it last month. (Funnily enough, my doctor's 10 question symptom checklist sheet delivered exactly the same results as the evaluation's 4 hours of testing and price tag.) But I digress. I sincerely hope this helps and that the teachers and administrator's at your daughter's school start trying to help her instead of making it worse.

Best of luck to both of you. Jen

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I'm not sure if there is an accomodation for forgetting work and text books. Unfortunately, these kids have to learn some strategies to help themselves. More organized folder system. Extra text books at home so they don't have take theirs home each night. They may need a board at home that they write on your you do to remind them of what they need in the morning before leaving for school. These are just suggestions but hope you find some helpful. - amy

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As a school psychologist for 18 years I can tell you that it is important for you to call a 504 meeting. This is part of your rights. At that meeting you need to come up with a workable plan for your child, you and the school. It is completely unfair that she is being disciplined for her disability. A plan where she gets rewarded for remembering, completing etc should replace the discipline system. The back up can be e-mailing or faxing info to the parents about what needs to be done. If she doesn't complete work maybe a study hall arrangement can be made. This is where you might start talking to the special education team at the school. If her disability is significantly impacting her education she could qualify for an IEP - Individualized Education Plan - which may include having a teacher come into the room at the end of the day - making sure she has her materials and assignments for home and maybe even checking during the day - how is the work going - does she have any questions - need any assistance. Anyway, that is the plan we created for my son with ADHD and we're seeing geat progress. Good luck - assume positive intentions.

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