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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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ADHD diagnosis
If a child gets and ADHD diagnosis, how/what does the school do to handle it? I have always suspected this, and have even asked teachers about it in the past. DS is now in 1st grade and his teacher said it might not be a bad idea for me to get him evaluated. His issue is mostly with staying on task. But unlike other ADHD kids, he doesn't struggle academically- at least not yet. He reads above grade level, but he is struggling a little with the output and writing work. The thing is, my DH is reluctant because he doesn't want him "labeled" in school. Does the school help? DH feels like we should just work with him more at home.
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Posted 3/14/13 10:09 PM  |
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rsquared
Sweet P is here!
Member since 4/11 2026 total posts
Name:
R
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
He might be able to get a 504 plan which can mean testing accommodations, sometimes separate location, on-task prompting, extra time, etc. In 1st, it doesn't matter so much, but in testing years it does.
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| Posted 3/15/13 5:13 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
My son is ADHD...the school does not have the Dx. He is ahead academically but his gaps in Speech (ADHD kids have issues with receptive speech) and OT got him services for those two areas - in addition to separate location, directions read, etc.
The school will not Dx...they will only provide him services where there are gaps.
If he doesn't have those gaps and CSE denies services, then you canuse the Dx and have a 504 meeting.
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| Posted 3/15/13 6:56 PM |
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Michmouse
LIF Adult
Member since 11/07 1260 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Have your son evaluated and get him whatever services he needs. Intervention at an earlier age makes a difference.
It is very common for parents to be concerned about labels- Please don't be. It will not help DS.
I am a special Ed teacher for over fourteen years and cannot convince my sister in law to refer my niece. She has multiple learning/speech/processing issues but SIL doesn't want a label. It makes me so sad and frustrated because my sweet niece will suffer academically and socially as a result.
Best of luck, please take the teachers advice and have DS evaluated. If I can help in anyway please FM me.
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| Posted 3/15/13 8:24 PM |
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aim
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 1321 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Sorry this is so long.
I just had a parent conference with a parent whose DOCTOR told the parents NOT to tell the teachers that their child was on medication for ADHD.
I can't tell you how horrible this Dr's. advice was. The child is on medication and there is such an opportunity lost when teachers don't know. We can look out for side effects and provide the doctor with anecdotal information so he or she may decide if the medication is having the desire effect. Not every child with ADHD requires medication- we can still provide anecdotal information, as well as have our instruction guided by knowledge of a diagnosis. When a doctor makes the diagnosis the school can follow up with a 504 plan to support the child with appropriate classroom and testing accommodations.
The father of my student expressed that he was worried about the stigma. I am a teacher who also was diagnosed with learning disabilities as a child... so I get it. Totally. BUT I told dad that when a child walks thought my classroom door with an ADHD diagnosis it allows me not to excuse behavior, but to UNDERSTAND the cause of it. It allows me recognize that I will need to take one step at a time to give the child compensatory strategies to cope with a variety of situations- academic and social in nature.
Finally, there will be a time when a child becomes more aware of his disability. Whether it is because she was told she has ADHD or because she has an innate sense that she can't control what she is doing. Teachers who are aware of the diagnosis won't necessarily discuss "ADHD" with her, but can have teachable moments when ADHD is clearly presenting that child with challenges academically or socially. My coteacher and I are doing that with this student and he truly looks at us with RELIEF because it seems that he somehow knows that we "get it." Really, that we get him and are there to help him.
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| Posted 3/16/13 7:51 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by aim
Sorry this is so long.
I just had a parent conference with a parent whose DOCTOR told the parents NOT to tell the teachers that their child was on medication for ADHD.
I can't tell you how horrible this Dr's. advice was. The child is on medication and there is such an opportunity lost when teachers don't know. We can look out for side effects and provide the doctor with anecdotal information so he or she may decide if the medication is having the desire effect. Not every child with ADHD requires medication- we can still provide anecdotal information, as well as have our instruction guided by knowledge of a diagnosis. When a doctor makes the diagnosis the school can follow up with a 504 plan to support the child with appropriate classroom and testing accommodations.
The father of my student expressed that he was worried about the stigma. I am a teacher who also was diagnosed with learning disabilities as a child... so I get it. Totally. BUT I told dad that when a child walks thought my classroom door with an ADHD diagnosis it allows me not to excuse behavior, but to UNDERSTAND the cause of it. It allows me recognize that I will need to take one step at a time to give the child compensatory strategies to cope with a variety of situations- academic and social in nature.
Finally, there will be a time when a child becomes more aware of his disability. Whether it is because she was told she has ADHD or because she has an innate sense that she can't control what she is doing. Teachers who are aware of the diagnosis won't necessarily discuss "ADHD" with her, but can have teachable moments when ADHD is clearly presenting that child with challenges academically or socially. My coteacher and I are doing that with this student and he truly looks at us with RELIEF because it seems that he somehow knows that we "get it." Really, that we get him and are there to help him.
Thank you for that.  I wish all teachers were like you.
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| Posted 3/17/13 10:51 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by aim
Sorry this is so long.
I just had a parent conference with a parent whose DOCTOR told the parents NOT to tell the teachers that their child was on medication for ADHD.
There is a teacher in my school who does "blind medication" I think it's more effective for ADD (without H)
I just wanted to clear up - while our CSE does not have DS's formal DX, it is quite clear to everyone involved - we are not trying to hide it - we just get all the services he needs without submitting it. The only difference is now he is labelled Speech Language Impairment and with the official Dx he would be Other Health Impairment.
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| Posted 3/17/13 12:33 PM |
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aim
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 1321 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by Erica
Posted by aim
Sorry this is so long.
I just had a parent conference with a parent whose DOCTOR told the parents NOT to tell the teachers that their child was on medication for ADHD.
There is a teacher in my school who does "blind medication" I think it's more effective for ADD (without H)
I just wanted to clear up - while our CSE does not have DS's formal DX, it is quite clear to everyone involved - we are not trying to hide it - we just get all the services he needs without submitting it. The only difference is now he is labelled Speech Language Impairment and with the official Dx he would be Other Health Impairment.
Can I asked what blind medication is? I have never heard of this. Thanks!
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| Posted 3/17/13 9:54 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
It just means that the child is medicated and the teachers/school don't know.
I think that some people want to do it for objective opinions. and like I said above - I think it's more for the ADD child.
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| Posted 3/17/13 10:27 PM |
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aim
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 1321 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by Erica
It just means that the child is medicated and the teachers/school don't know.
I think that some people want to do it for objective opinions. and like I said above - I think it's more for the ADD child.
Thanks... I thought that is what you meant, but asked just to be sure :)
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| Posted 3/28/13 10:54 AM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Message edited 3/28/2013 11:34:52 AM.
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| Posted 3/28/13 11:34 AM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by aim
Sorry this is so long.
I just had a parent conference with a parent whose DOCTOR told the parents NOT to tell the teachers that their child was on medication for ADHD.
I think that is terrible. Shouldnt the school be aware of a child taking a medication like that considering there could be side effects. In fact I have a student recently diagnosed and on meds 2 weeks before we were in formed. Our social worker made it clear to the mother that we needed to be informed.
Message edited 3/28/2013 11:51:15 AM.
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| Posted 3/28/13 11:36 AM |
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aim
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 1321 total posts
Name:
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by jgl
Posted by aim
Sorry this is so long.
I just had a parent conference with a parent whose DOCTOR told the parents NOT to tell the teachers that their child was on medication for ADHD.
I think that is terrible. Shouldnt the school be aware of a child taking a medication like that considering there could be side effects. In fact I have a student recently diagnosed and on meds 2 weeks before we were in formed. Our social worker made it clear to the mother that we needed to be informed.
Well, technically parents don't have to tell us. That is their right. The shame is that the parents and doctor lose out on such valuable feedback from teachers. The school in turn loses out on understanding what could be side effects. Such a lose-lose situation. Knowledge for all is such a win-win.
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| Posted 3/29/13 12:29 PM |
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missfabulous
#mommyneedswine
Member since 6/09 10031 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: ADHD diagnosis
Posted by rsquared
He might be able to get a 504 plan which can mean testing accommodations, sometimes separate location, on-task prompting, extra time, etc. In 1st, it doesn't matter so much, but in testing years it does.
I agree. I would definitely look into a 504. Just having accommodations and modifications written down will help prompt the teacher to provide your son with cues to stay on tasks, prompts, etc. A good teacher will do this anyway and be sensitive to a child's needs. It doesn't hurt to have it in writing though. It can only help your son.
So many parents worry about the stigma that comes along with being classified. In my opinion though, the benefits outweigh the potential negatives (such as a "label").
I would speak to a school psychologist or social worker. Find out about a 504. Your son wouldn't be pulled out of classes for services. He would just get the accommodations and modifications he needs to perform his best.
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| Posted 3/31/13 9:26 AM |
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