I need some advice on a situation with the elementary school my boys attend. Some background: • My son is 10 years old. • He is attending an elementary school that is very focused on grades and scoring. • He transferred to this school in 2nd grade after a divorce and a move, so he missed some critical reading instruction in the 1st grade due to these stressors and has always struggled with reading. • In addition, his response to stressful situations (including a new grade/teacher) is to be scattered and forgetful. But the symptoms are temporary and subside as the stressor is relieved or he becomes comfortable in a new environment and his anxiety level subsides. • His teachers always tell me that he is quiet, respectful, and in no way a behavior problem, in class. In fact he often becomes a teacher favorite as he is so sweet natured. • I received a phone call last year from the “Reading Coach” the 3rd week of school asking if I would be willing to “have a conversation about my son having ADHD”. I explained to her last year that I would certainly have a discussion with anyone about my son’s needs, but that I was pretty well educated about the ADHD issue (have a nephew who is classic ADHD) and I was convinced that was not my son’s problem. Things calmed down after that and I heard no more about it, and he ended the school year with an A/B average in all classes. • This year 4th grade has been particularly difficult and in addition to the new situations, the children actually change classes for each subject. He never had what he needed for the class that he was in. • I had a meeting with all 3 of the teachers and found them to be pretty intractable. They all stated that his main problem was that he would not pay attention in class. I left the meeting feeling that they were not willing to help him adapt at all.

- I also met later with his main teacher and the principal and the principal told me that “she understood that the educational system did not function well for little boys who would really rather be out on the playground, but that her own son could had similar problems concentrating in class when he was young and Adderol helped him tremendously”. • At this point I was willing to consider any help that I could give my son, even though I KNEW in my heart that ADHD medication was the wrong solution. • I took Z to his pediatrician and she said that she did not see any evidence of ADHD. • I took Z to see a behavioral counselor who, on the second visit with him said that he did not see any evidence of ADHD and did not recommend any medication. The counselor encouraged me to keep the appointment we had made with the Psychiatrist, saying that he was sure the Psychiatrist would concur and would not make any recommendation for ADHD treatment. • I have gotten him a reading tutor since the school seems unwilling to provide any additional help. And he will start with her next week.

At his point I am absolutely convinced that this school and this principal, believe that little boys get higher test scores and better grades when they are on Adderol and that she applies this pressure to the parents of ALL THE LITTLE BOYS IN THIS SCHOOL!. I know this sounds a little off the wall, but this is just what I have come to believe after my conversation with her that day. What do I do with these people?

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