Have you tried having him do homework in the morning instead of at night? Elementary school usually doesn't start as early as Middle and High School, and if he's on medication that he takes in the morning, about 30 min's after taking it may be a really good time of the day for him. I'm sure it would mean waking up earlier, but it might be worth a shot, especially if he's able to get through it pretty quickly that time of day. Another idea may be an evening dose. My daughter's medication tends to keep her up if I try that, so I know that's a potential risk, it's something you would want to discuss with a qualified doctor. It seems kind of odd that he actually wants to miss recess. How's he getting along with his classmates during recess? I'd want to know if there was someone he was avoiding, or if he was avoiding dealing with his classmates during that unstructured time. As for "choosing" to play instead of going to the homework room-I'd be asking how may kids actually USE the homework room anyway. I don't have AD/HD, and I know I would have a hard time doing my work if everyone else was having fun (and I do, sometimes, at work!!!! Ever try to get something done within earshot of a luncheon?)I think, at the very least, you'd need to get the after-school program on board to try to get him to the homework room at all, and maybe offer some kind of incentive to make it a little less painful. Then again, since he's socializing well enough to have fun and play, and not being too excited about doing that at school, maybe he's getting the most out of it after all. Personally, I'd guess your going to have to show the school your trying, and not just letting him not do homework, to get further support there. I would keep track of how long it takes him to do assignments at home, then discuss with his teachers how long it should take to see how much difficulty he's having. Hope some of this helps.

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Thanks for the reply Megansmom!

We met yesterday with the Vice Principal, Social Worker and his teacher. We've come up with a "homework plan" that will hopefully motivate him to get back on track. We also started him on new meds this morning. He's been off meds for 2 days due to an adverse reaction to his old meds (that worked fine last year). He really recognized that he needed them to concentrate.

Hopefully with the "plan" he'll start to improve. As for the recess thing - they actually started a "study hall" type of thing (news to me!!) and that is an option for him. However, they stressed that it's only for a half hour and in 5th grade, they are expected to do more than a half hour of homework so it's not enough time for him to complete everything anyway.

As for doing in the morning - he is SO not a morning person and we've tried that too - but w/out meds having kicked in yet, that won't work. Who knows with these new meds - maybe he'll be up for it, but I doubt it!

I'm really hoping that the new meds will last long enough for him to do his work at the after school program AND that the VP will be helping him get into a new routine (she's agreed to walk him to the homework room each day until he can get into a new habit).

There probably are some kids that don't visit the homework room - but it is in a separate room & filled w/ kids so as long as we can "get him there" he shouldn't be too distracted.

Here's hoping for the best! Thanks, Shelly

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I'm so glad that they're working with you, and coming up with a positive plan!!!!! I know that morning thing just doesn't work for everybody. Evening's can be rough too, and I know with my daughter, if she's not done by about 6pm, she just slows to crawl, and assignments that would only take 15 min's then suddenly start taking an hour or more. I sure know her medication is lasting 12 hours (and not a minute more, it seems!) I'd also bet that having someone help him get into the routine of using the homework room will make a world of difference. It's good they have a separate room, instead of just a station or tables. FYI, monopoly money (towards some "prize" or outing) has worked well as an incentive for my daughter. I'm just so glad to hear that they got down to the business of looking for solutions. That's at least half the battle.

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Rather than use Monopoly money - I actually made up "scholar dollars" with their photo on them last year. It was an idea I "stole" from school. We keep a box (the "store") of goodies that they can earn dollars to go shopping. The store has low cost items and higher cost items (to encourage saving). Such things as pencils, Japanese erasers, markers, tape (don't know why that is a coveted item!), freebies from conferences like fancy pens or draw string backpacks, etc. They love the store but getting them to earn those dollars is the first step. The school suggested setting smaller goals (ie: coins instead of dollars) to get them started. Still trying to figure out how to re-price stuff for that! BTW, new meds are like a dream and he had a really great day yesterday. Even did some homework in after school care. We'll see how well he does today since he has soccer practice this evening and MUST do all homework at care.

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You might want to consider packaging this idea for market! That photo-on-the-dollar-bill thing is pretty cool just in itself. Catchy name, too. Really nice setup. I'd have loved to have something like this, already all worked out, a few years ago. Really really cool.

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I can't take credit for the name - I stole it from his teacher! But kids' photo on fake dollar bills - totally mine. ;o)

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I just finished a particular tough evening of homework for an hour with my 2nd grader where her inattention is just the worst. All she did was write one sentence and a short list of questions....and she just resisted all the way through it. I was kind of losing it. Seeing you two talking about HW is really helpful. The positive "bucks" is a good idea. Will try.

And it's time to start experimenting with afternoon dosing of Adderral. We've avoided it last year because she already struggles with insomnia, but a little melatonin seems to help there. It's a whole situation getting the after-school care to give the meds.

It's those limitations that are crazifying! I have to work until 5:00 at least 2 days a week so by the time she's home from after-school-care she had exercise but she's so tired. That was the situation today.

Add a mom whose a little stressed because her best buddy just announced that her husband had an affair. AAAAAh

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Instead of relying on after-school-care to give her the meds - can't the school nurse do it? Maybe an hour before school is let out? That way she still has the meds in her when she goes to care and maybe it's not too late in the afternoon that it will affect her sleep. We give my son melatonin to help him get to sleep as well - wish we'd thought of it years ago - we only just started this past spring. It has made a world of difference! sb

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