Convincing the Teacher

7 Comments:

• Posted by mommyteacher - Jan 14 2009 @ 11:46 PM
  My daughter at school
  I should say that I am a teacher in my sixteenth year of teaching. I have a master's degree in reading and have taught primaryly first and second grades. I have taught many children with ADD, but only one girl with ADHD. My daughter began having problems with school early on. She struggled in Kindergarten. I kept asking the teacher for information, but she said my daughter was fine. I now believe she just thought my daughter was stupid or slow. I knew that was not the case. This year, I knew we would struggle. I knew she was behind. I went in my daughter's classroom begging for help and information. This teacher was very open with me as were other staff members who worked with my daughter. Several suggested ADD. I was shocked, but when I researched ADD specifically in girls. . . There was my daughter. As a teacher, I felt like I had failed my child because I did not see it. I felt I should have gotten her help earlier. Teachers do not have all the answers. We have a history in teaching and in children. But every child is unique. Not many teachers have seen a girl with ADD. I never had until my daughter. She also was "good" at school and would lose it at home. Talk to the teacher, take a handout about ADD in girls, and yes ask for an evaluation of your child. Teachers are not perfect. But most teachers are doing the best they can with a lot to do. Good luck!
• Posted by debbied - Oct 23 2008 @ 10:47 AM
  problems with a teacher who doesn't recognize the need to work w
  My son recently has been having some problems with a teacher, she sends me a email about things that happened at the beginning of school in August, I explained that my son had just been diagnosed with adhd and had just began meds, and could we give this a little time to adjust, but she doesn't seem willing to give it a try, he does talk a lot and I have tried to work with him on this. Please help.
• Posted by classymomma - Sep 15 2008 @ 1:16 AM
  Now Teen - Never Diagnosed
  We recently obtained custody of our 14 year old daughter. She has been in the public school system for all of these years. Because she was having so many problems in school, I decided to homeschool her, as I do my other children. After a couple of extremely frustrating weeks, I began to research. Although I have no diagnosis yet, I am 99.9% sure that this poor child has had ADD all of this time. How sad that no one has picked up on this and learned how to help her be a better student and person. I am researching on my own and we are already showing progress as I learn how to deal with her in ways that help.
• Posted by teacher-mom - Aug 31 2008 @ 10:01 PM
  re convincing the teacher
  As a mom of a special ed child and a special ed. teacher, I just wanted to mention that the law does not require the public school to test your child. However, the law does require that the school meet within 10 school days of a written request to discuss the student's case. At the team meeting they often will suggest interventions but not consent to testing. With RTI (response to intervention) a public school must try different levels of specific interventions prior to (testing and) a special ed placement. If you have been refused testing, keep requesting a case study in writing and provide any documentation of poor grades, behavior concerns, doctor's notes, etc. Be persistent.
• Posted by 3kidsalldifferent - Jul 12 2008 @ 11:09 AM
  Comments on Convincing the teacher
  In Kindergarten and early elementary my first son was very frustrated (he waited until he got home) because his brain was going so much fast than the class pace. (I could see it when I volunteered in his classroom as well) He was still considered one of the "stronger" students in the class and he was very compliant. Because of this we couldn't even get anyone to acknowledge that their might be a problem. Needless to say even though we knew something was wrong (including a learning difference). He was so "smart" and the discrepancy between ability and performance was "huge". He was still performing at and above grade level and hence little to no help came from the school district. If the school district is reluctant to test your child make the request in writing (under the law they have to perform the test within so many days). By fourth grade we finally had a speech discrepancy that showed up (Hummmm) that allowed us to get some of the services needed. Although my first son has never been dx with ADD I’m sure it’s part of who he is. It wasn’t part of the educational assessment and I didn’t know enough to ask for that specific assessment. I did many things to help him at home that look like the recommendation someone with ADD (they had worked for me in the past—Hmmm-boy am I learning a lot.) Now because my second child has been dx with ADD it is all so clear. In fourth grade my son was getting As but he was still frustrated, I decided to homeschooled him for fifth grade to help him learn how to learn and read aloud. Another couple keys were exercise and diet and controlled TV and computer time. It was a great experience and if you can don’t be afraid. The next thing I did was find the “right” environment for him when he went back to school. That was the hardest part and took a couple attempts. But he was a great sport in middle school and we talked a lot about what was going and I was in the school watching the general environment as a volunteer. He’s now a junior in the top 10% of his class and he LOVES school. Hang in there these children are wonderful gifts.
• Posted by mama5342 - Jun 15 2008 @ 6:43 PM
  RE- UR COMMENT
  My son has ADD and has had learning problems in school. He was tested by the school and it showed basically my son was just mis behaving.I took him to his doctor and he sid ADD is hard to digno. Hes now on meds and I havent had one issue with school this year. He also has good grades and it on grade level.Everyday this year he had a great day at school. He was at a new school this year with a great teacher~ My son is in ESE and hasnt had to have a modifications in class this year! The school is suppose to help you. If there not helping you. Then call the school board. The school didnt wanna help me at first until they did something wrong. Then they were handing out numbers and ppl to contact. Actually to be honest a man who is a behavorial specilist for the school board. Got us help. My son had to finish the school year being home schooled. But he just finshed a school year at school,,, on meds and did great. He was offered a half day at school but i let em go all day. Please contact the school board, or even your childs doctor will help you contact peolpe. Iam so sorry the school isnt helpful. i noticed from my son always being in ESE. Hes never had a girl classmate. wonder why is that! Good luck
• Posted by happylip - Feb 25 2008 @ 4:44 AM
  What to do
  My child has ADHD and is failing and the teachers know it. He tells them that he is haveing a hard time in some of his classes but still they do nothing. He is failing his classes I am always at the school but they get upset when i ask for help, or they set up meeting with only one teacher showing up. What do I do he is on a 504 but how do I get them to help me help my son.