My 7 yo daughter takes Metadate CD (2omg) for Inattentive ADD. She is in 2nd grade and was tested but deemed not LD although she’s right on the border but we decided to not have her “labelled” and thought the 504 plan was the way to go. She cannot complete her work in the time allotted, cannot stay on task but works at it every day. Her teacher knows she is trying and they do about half of everything orally with her teacher writing in the answers. We went to a psychologist regarding the anxiety and he said it is situational and advised not medicating. So are there some ideas out there as to what we can do to reduce her stress? Much thanks in advance.
Re: classroom anxiety
Children want so badly to do well in school. If your daughter cannot finish her work in the time allotted, she is likely feeling unsuccessful in school - even if she has a kind and caring teacher.
Even at her young age, I would speak to her to help her to understand that you understand. I’d want her to know that school isn’t perfect and that you know she tries her hardest and does her best and that’s more than good enough for you. Tell her how proud of her you are.
You might also some time quietly go into her classroom, sit in the back and see what you see. See if there are things in the school day that are adding to her stress. Certainly for the school year ahead, you’d likely want her to be in a very caring teacher’s room whose warm manner would help your daughter to feel the most comfortable and the least stress.
Good luck.
Re: classroom anxiety
Last year my son was so anxious he couldn’t write at all - literally couldn’t put pencil on paper - due to his undiagnosed dyslexia. Things are much improved since then..
1) we were really honest with him about his issues. He thought he had to hide his reading problem and knowing we are all working on this together has really helped him. We also talk with him about how his body feels when he’s anxious to try to make him more self aware … I’m thinking about introducing yoga, breathing etc.
2) We started his academic remediation , as his skills improve his anxiety decreases. His tutor happens to be a psychologist so she can address performance anxiety when it happens.
3) He see a therapist once a week. I have no idea what they talk about but he loves going!
4) We communicate constantly with his school teacher and the school psychologist about ways to reduce his anxiety b/c if I don’t keep reminding them its amazing the stupid things his teacher will say to him.
5) He did interactive metronome last summer. I don’t know if it helped directly, but all I can say is since the summer he doesn’t talk obsessively anymore which was a sign of his anxiety.
Does she have reading difficulties is that why she is being read the test? If she does you would need to address those issues outside the school. If they haven’t been able to get her reading by second, I would not waste anymore time.
If you are a do it yourselfer start with phonographix, the book is reading reflex. If you prefer a to take her somewhere find a good LMB clinic. I think the official ones are best and can be found at the lindamood bell website.
Don’t label, but do address specific deficits with proven methods. Most schools do not do this. It sounds as though she does have some real issues.