My 6 year old was diagnosed the very end of kindergarten with ADHD. He attended a private school for kindergarten. We are about to start first grade in the public school. I have an IEP established with various classroom modifications. I will be meeting the teacher privately before school starts and after she reviews the IEP. My goal is to review my sons strengths and weaknesses, to open the doors of communication and to let her know we will provide assistance (at home and in school) for my son to have a successful year.
Since this is new territory for us and I want this meeting to be as successful as possible I am asking for any input/advise/experiences you may like to share.
This website has always been so very helpful and I THANK YOU in advance for you insite.
Re: Teacher Meeting regarding son with ADHD
If you know of ways that the teacher can help your son be successful, tell her. My 14 son is a kinesthetic learner. He has a very difficult time making pictures in his head, especially when dealing with abstract ideas. I let his teachers know that they have to help him translate abstract ideas into pictures so he can understand what they are talking about. If you ways that have helped your son learn in the past then encourage the teacher to use the same techniques with him. Good teachers will welcome the information.
As a special education teacher and the mother of a 10 year old with ADHD
I’d like to offer a few tips. Don’t let the teacher intimidate you. RELAX. You are in charge because you are the parent and have the ultimate say so in your child’s education. If the teacher suggests something that you do not agree with, then say so. You do not have to sign an IEP if you feel that it is wrong for your child. They should give you a copy of Parent’s Rights and you should read it and know ALL options. Make yourself as familiar as you can with ADHD. Make notes of the strengths and weaknesses that your child has. Share this. ASK questions. If your child is on medication then be prepared to discuss this issue, especially if it will be given at school. If your child is not on medication and you do not want him to be, then tell them. The school can not make you put your child on medication.
I don’t know if this helped, hopefully it will.
God Bless You.