Hi all. I am a parent of a seventh grader who is having a tremndously difficult time this year. Last year, she achieved A/B honor roll all year. However, this year, she is failing social studies and borderline failing in science. I have talked with the teachers; I actually work with them because I teach at the same school. I have tried everything I know to do except medication. I teach a full inclusion class and am currently getting my master’s in special ed. We have world war 3 every night. I say things that I know I shouldn’t say, but I am so frustrated. She is incredibly hormonal. I don’t know if medication would help her or not. Any suggestions????
Re: would love to comment . . .
I have to tell you 7th grade was the worst year my son has ever had. Which is one reason we decided to try medication this year for 8th grade. I have always been against medication, because we tried it when my son was younger and the side effects were horrible. The doctor assured me the medications were better now, so we started him on Concerta. So far, it seems to be working really well.
Re: my seventh grader
Seventh grade is often horrible because of hormones and growing up and fighting for independence, all true.
However, seventh grade is also often a watershed because of a change in academic expectations. One school system I worked in had a formal description of the situation: in the elementary school (Grades 1 to 6 there) the program is adapted to the child; but in secondary (there junior and senior high, 7 to 12) the child has to adapt to the program.
Unfortunately the program that was adapted to the child didn’t warn them about this change ahead of time, and there were a lot of rude shocks.
Unfortunately many kids get through Grade 6 on strong memorization and good relations with teachers. If the junior high classes are dmeanding abstract thinking skills, it’s a very difficult change.
Look at your daughter’s skills objectively and see if she is not understanding what she is supposed to be doing and why. Maybe you can clarify the expectations for her.
Re: my seventh grader
7th grade is a rollercoaster year but I’d look deeper than that. Is this her first or second year of middle school?
If it’s her second year of middle school, I’d ask is there a difference in the social studies class from this year to last? Is the testing format different?
What about science? Are the expectations pretty much the same as last year or are they different? ‘
Is she doing poorly on tests? Or is it more homework related than tests?
Is the homework load different?
Re: my seventh grader
Why would you medicate what appears to be a pretty normal 8th grader. The academics may have become more complex and the hormones are obviously an issue. Try being assertive and not angry with her behavior. My guess setting up a strong framework of operation at home would take the stress out for you. If the criteria isn’t met then the social life is out. You obviously have the typical teenage power struggle.
Re: would love to comment . . .
I am a 21 year old college student, with a learning disability, graduating in December. I tried Retilan in middle school. I stopped taking it because of the side effects. A year ago, I tried Concerta. I had to force myself to eat the first couple of months, but am much better now. It has changed my life. I have always been very determined to do well, but now that I am on med., it is MUCH easier. I made all A’s last semester, in the honor society, and am graduating early. It has really helped me to concentrate and I find that I am eager to learn. I recomend for anyone with a learning disability to try medicines, but I also think that it counts on the person.
Re: my seventh grader
Ashley, sorry to disagree with you, but it appears maybe you have never raised an LD child or a hormonal teenage daughter. I on the other hand, have, one of each. The hormones and the LD are two seperate issues , but both very real. No the medication won’t help the hormone part but it might the LD. I too was always against medication, but after starting it this year it has been wonderful. I tried all the tricks, holding out on social time for not completing work and so on. Even tried paying him for completeing work, nothing worked……..because he wasn’t able to do the work. It wasn’t his fault he couldn’t concentrate, it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t remember to bring things home and it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t remember anything they discussed at school. I found punishment or rewards were not the answer. Medication has made a huge difference. I feel guilty now that I was so against it before. So Reba, maybe you could give it a trial run.
Hi Reba,
Could you supply some background on your daughter’s differences or disabilities and her current situation with the school. Does she have an IEP? Has she been diagnosed with a condition that would benefit from meds?