my son is also in the 4th grade. i just can’t get the teacher to understand that he needs to sit up by the blackboard and away from the other children to concentrate. he has also told her that is where he wants to be. so because she doesn’t understand ADHA she spends the day yelling at him or embarassing him about taking medication. of course the principal backs her. i am ready to pull someones hair out. his grades have gone down this year. and he wants to be homeschooled, even though he is quite the social bug. she is very ovious about not liking him, and therefore he is the class clown to try to make her laugh ,( which i am sure will crack her face). any advice.? sheryle
Re: why can't the school staff understand
Is there a school psychologist? Or guidance counselor? Someone you could talk to who could possibly help the teacher to a better understanding? Maybe the PTA or home and school association could do a program on ADD.
If not, the only advice I’d have is try to not let this happen again next year. Put your ear to the ground about next year’s teachers and then make a choice and a request of the principal.
It might not work but it’s worth it to give a try.
Re: why can't the school staff understand
Make sure you have that teacher request written into the IEP.
(I learned that lesson the hard way, they tell you what ever you want to hear in those meetings, but if it’s not in writing…….)
Re: why can't the school staff understand
Sheryle,
Do you subscribe to LDONLINE news letter. This has helped me to understand my rights and given me the knowledge I need to be the best advocate for both My son and daughter with ADD? I only wish I had found it when my Son was in 3rd grade with the wicked witch teacher he had! I have found that switching my children to the local Core Knowledge Charter School has given me even more power as it is a parent motivated school. I wil often print information out and pass it to my Principal and teachers so theycan understand my feeleings and where I am coming from.
If the principal is not willing to help you you do have rights as a previous parent said. You can always take your concerns to the Superintendent of your schools if you do not know where to start. That should get someone’s attention or can you have his teacher changed to another teacher in the same school?
My Best to you.
Diane
Re: why can't the school staff understand
Sheryle,
Do you subscribe to LDONLINE news letter. This has helped me to understand my rights and given me the knowledge I need to be the best advocate for both My son and daughter with ADD? I only wish I had found it when my Son was in 3rd grade with the wicked witch teacher he had! I have found that switching my children to the local Core Knowledge Charter School has given me even more power as it is a parent motivated school. I wil often print information out and pass it to my Principal and teachers so theycan understand my feeleings and where I am coming from.
If the principal is not willing to help you you do have rights as a previous parent said. You can always take your concerns to the Superintendent of your schools if you do not know where to start. That should get someone’s attention or can you have his teacher changed to another teacher in the same school?
My Best to you.
Diane
Re: why can't the school staff understand
Some teachers don’t want to understand for a variety of reasons. When presented with evidence such as water freezes at about 32 degrees or boils at about 212 degrees, some teachers will never believe it. That’s how they look at life and they will retire with those backward attitudes. Some teachers don’t care and never will. It is only the rare teacher who understands children with ADHD, dyslexia, and subtle hearing challenges. That’s my opinion.
Welcome Sheryle to the world of discrimination.
She doesn’t seem to understand that by sitting up at the blackboard helps him to pay attention? OKay does she understand that by not allowing a child with documented ADHD sit up by the board to help them to pay attention is discrimination and illegal according to federal law?
Because she doesn’t understand ADHD she spends her day yelling at him and embarassing him about medications. OKay does she understand that by stating publicy that your child is on medication violates his civil rights under FERPA,family education rights and privacy act?
The principal is backing her up. OKay does the principal know that by knowing that this discrimination is occuring and by failing to do something he is accountable?
My advice?
1. I would read my rights under 504 laws. http://expage.com/socksandfriends
it has a link to a 504 page,lots of articles.
Basicly under 504 your son has the right to being accomodated. The best way to do this is to inform the school that you insist on accomodations under 504.
To be able to make these educators accountable to the laws,you must identify him as a child with ADHD. If you did this,ie. gave them a report stating he was diagnosed with ADHD,then they are obligated to either prove he isn’t ADHD or give him a 504 plan.
2. To be a teacher today with little or no knowledge of ADHD and or your son’s civil rights,is inexcusable. It’s the teacher’s fault,but it is the responsibility of the principal to ensure your son has a qualified teacher.
3. A 504 plan will probably elliviate this problem,but the teacher will still be her wonderfully toxic self. Not until he has a more understanding teacher,or a more adequately trained teacher,will you not feel like pulling someone’s hair out.