I have posted this on another one of the sites I visit often…Hi Amy! I’ll apologise now, this could get a bit long, but I thought that maybe ya’ll could give me a better look at the whole picture, I think a lot of you are teachers or in the field in some form or another. I have a 7 year old son who was diagnosed at an early age with combined type adhd, he is in the 2nd grade now and all my worst fears are coming to light. We never established an IEP or 504 because the teachers generally did all the necessary classroom modifications for him. This past November we moved back to Georgia and all hell broke loose for us as far as school is concerned. My son has gone from an honor roll student to getting d’s and f’s. I had a conference with the teacher in January and she was very offish toward our requests and explaination of the way that our son learns. She said she will not modify anything until an IEP has been put into place, so the battle for testing began. The past month or so this teacher has made several uncalled for comments to my son. Telling him things like he can’t participate in certain activities because he can’t control himself, ect. Let me mention that he hsa been on meds for years and is doing wonderful with his behavior,no major complaints. Last night we attended a Grade 2 play and I noticed while looking over the program that my son’s name had been excluded. I started up a conversation with another Mom, met her for the first time last night, whose son is also adhd and in the same class as my son. Her son’s name was not on it as well. In talking with her we discovered that we had been having very similiar problems with the treatment of our kids within the classroom. She confronted the teacher after the play and no explaination was given. I confronted her and she told me that she requested that students raise their hands for those who would be attending and those who raised their hands were put on the program and that my son had not done so. I told her that this was a 2nd Grade play and that I had noticed that all the other students names were on it with the exception of 2 kids in her class that happened to have adhd. She turned bright red and got this deer in the headlights look. I was so angry!! I also mentioned that the permission slip for attendance to this play was signed by myself and returned to her 2 weeks ago. Told her that it would have to be brought up at our SST meeting along with the other concerns I had with the Asst. Principle. Now having given ya’ll my basis for anger, I have a question on how should I approach my concerns about all of it without coming off as just another angry parent? What matters to me is coming to an agreement on what should be done to HELP my son. After all my son is very bright but he does have a serious self esteem issue, as do most children with adhd, and last night he was very hurt by not seeing his name listed with what he called the “normal” kids. I don’t understand why a teacher would do so much damage to a child. Any suggestions or insight for my predicament? ~Shellbie
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
Can you give some hx w/ meds and therapies!?
Is your son on any meds. Sounds like they really might benefit him.
Lauren, 8 yrs, 2nd grade also, is only ZOLOFT for anti anxiety and it has really really really helped her…but we were still seeing some ADHD things going on so just 1 wk ago we added STRATTERA to her med and I’m not sure how this is working yet. Dr said takes 1 wk to take effect but from what I’ve read HERE, it takes more like 3-4 wks…..she had 2 rough days in sch this wk..but has been SUPER DUPER GREAT at home…so not quite sure what is going on.
Lauren also has SID - sensory integration dysfunction and she’s in OT for this once a wk (outside of sch).
She’s in speech during sch for her speech issues (she was born w/ Moebius Syndrome affecting her face/lips and such).
Anyways….I personally think meds would be a route you should consider. Or it you’re not “there” yet (in a place where you want to give meds to your child) then maybe biochemical interactio would be the way to go.
I found out that Lauren is actually “allergic” to dairy - not in the rash/swelling sense but in the biochemical sense. I took her off day and noticed a 360 turn on her behaviour. We have since allowed her to have dairy but she’s on an enzyme called PEPTIZYDE that helps her body break down the dairy proteins.
Loves and hugs…just go in w/ a cool calm head but have an outline printed in front of you of your goals and expectations for your son and his sch/teachers.
S
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
I would tell the principal exactly what happened. If you make your concerns known in an intelligent way the teacher will have to back off. I did this and the teacher was much more careful with my child but I took him out of the class anyway. She was more careful but she was still clearly the wrong type of teacher for my son.
Whoa, hold on and get ready.
A word of caution and advice: Perhaps she is not familiar with the fact that we are not all cut from the same mold and you could kindly share some literature and helpful suggestions with her about ADHD. Maybe you have extra time and can become a mother’s helper parent for the class.
If things are not going to happen the positive way, then you need to be prepared to fight for your son. Begin immediately documenting all that has happened. Don’t just talk about it. Do so very professionally, and without emotions or negative adjectives. State briefly was has occurred and send it to his teacher and copy it to the Principal and maybe a school board member or other party. Dear Miss Sour, On March 1st, we attended the 2nd grade play. It was a wonderful performance and we really enjoyed it. However, when reading through the program we noticed Johnny’s name was missing, etc. After the play we felt concerned that Johnny is being excluded because of… If she knows others are noting her behaivor, her attitude may change. Keep a paper trail, it could prove invaluable to helping him later.
Re: Whoa, hold on and get ready.
There is an excellent book, “Reaching and Teaching Children with ADHD”-it may be kids or students instead of children but the title is basically correct. Maybe you could buy it for her!!
I would have to wonder the gage of this teacher-not to discriminate myself, but some teachers (as well as other adults) are of the opinion that ADHD does not exist except to excuse behaviors that would not have been excused years ago.
As a teacher AND a parent of an ADHD child, I have to admit they have all pushed my buttons as times and received a response like “Can the class share with _______what the direction was that was just given since he/she apparently thought that I was not talking to him/her”. Unfortunately we are human but when this is occuring too often, something has to give.
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
Hello everyone and good afternoon!! Thank you all for your replies to my previous post. My husband and I went to the SST meeting this afternoon and had both principles attend along with the school district pychologist(sp). The teacher we are having problems with and my sons EIP teacher were also there. We addressed all the concerns we had and discovered that the teacher was already reprimanded for having excluded children previously. The district psychologist really ripped into her concerning her refusal to modify for the educational benefit of our son. Really interesting to watch her shrink before my very eyes. The modifications are now in place and she has been told by the school principle that she MUST comply or she is in violation of her contract. I am glad that something is being done and to be honest I never thought that they would be so receptive to making it all work and my complaints. The principle is having a new program drawn up and both my son and the other child will get copies on Monday morning along with an apology for “human error” by the teacher. Hooray!! The evaluations for IEP placement were discussed and my son scored well above average so if anything he’s bored in class. We are developing ways to challenge him without overwhelming him so that he doesn’t get so bored. The distraction was her biggest complaint…duh, he has adhd. I guess she’s just one of those people out there that don’t believe that it’s a real thing, hope that she’s “learned” her lesson today. Thank you all again!!~Shellbie
Hi Shelbie!
You know, I was really hoping you would come here, I am glad to see you. I really hate what is going on with your son’s teacher. It is so obvious she is treating him badly. He needs to be out of her class.
Some things for the meeting. Go through your papers, do you have progress reports from his previous school? Even better would be ones where the teachers talk about how bright your son is and what a joy he is to have in their class and how he puts in so much effort. Go over the things that the teachers did for him that seemed to work and make a list. Make a list of questions for the teacher (be matter of fact) and principal etc. Bring in samples of his previous work.
Also, go over the events of the past few months, document as much as you can of things that this teacher has done to treat your son differently from the other kids. Has she kept him from joining in other events like field trips? If at all possible, try to get him with a different teacher. In my opinion, it would be less disruptive for him than wasting his time and self esteem staying in her class.I don’t think you are going to be able to change her. Better to change your child’s situation. You will need to insist. DON’T go by yourself. I couldn’t bring my husband to the last meeting so my son’s tutor came with me. You should have seen them all sit up straight. You can bring anyone with you that has anything to do with your son. (I think I’ve already said some of this to you before, but it might help someone else going through this).
I don’t remember off hand what the results have been of trying to get him evaluated, hopefully the school at least is doing its job on that end.
I am hoping socks gets a chance to take a look at your post too. I am sure you could bring up the fact to the principal that discrimination against a child with a handicap is a federal offense. She would know specifically where to go with that.
You should get some more replies. Hang in there, OK?
Best wishes.
Amy
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
OK, now I feel like a dodo. Shelbie I am so glad things went well for you.
Stay on her ok? You’ll need to watch her like a hawk I think. Documentation is key. Now that you are getting all this experience, next thing you know you will be helping others new to all this. Take care!
Best wishes.
Amy
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
I agree, stay on top of things from here on out and make SURE she’s following HER instructions for him to the letter.
Also - still curious if your son is on ADHD meds
Loves,
S
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
Yea, I love to hear stories where the school system (Admin) does the right thing and backs the parents up. You handled it well, If you can I would volunteer to help in the classroom. That way you can be supportive and educate the teacher plus keep an eye out.
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
I like RS’s advice. If your child is going to stay in this classroom, then do what you can to be positive and supportive. Why? Because you want this woman to be positive and supportive to your child. If you cannot be positive and supportive of her, then move your child.
I’m willing to bet that she has no training in teaching adhd kids, has been overwhelmed with it, and publicly ripped for not knowing how. But was not offered any help by admin before the lid blew off. So if you can help her - you’ll both be better off.
I am surprised that they ripped the teacher in front of you. Do I detect some frustration on the part of the psych? It’s the principal’s job to see that she is doing what she should. Why didn’t he? I would be keeping an eye out for sure.
Re: Sharon
why then all the problems in sch!? I don’t understand!? Doesn’t seem to me that meds are working if she’s having all the issues she’s stated above!?
Loves,
S
Re: Sharon
It could be medicine but she has been having problems with the teacher and school this year not doing what they are supposed to including the school not complying with eval timelines etc.
As for the medicine, I have two sons on concerta, my oldest is sp.ed qualified as well under Other Health Impaired, the medicine is just one tool in the toolbox, he still needs academic support from his teachers and school. The other son does very well academically no supports necessary. Adhd appears to be expressed differently in different folks.
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
I’m thrilled that the administrators supported you in this matter! Please remember, however, that the support you received is VERY dependent upon the administration and teachers your child interacts with daily. Don’t let this instance of support allow you to feel that the need for documentation has diminished. Circumstances do change quickly in public education, and the only long-term defense you have for your child is a solid paper trail.
Best case scenario is that in a few years you can show him how far he has come, and tell him how proud you are of him.
Worst case….you’ve created a solid case for an advocate or attorney to utilize.
Hate to be such a downer, but I’ve taught in Georgia schools….
Casey
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
There is comfort in numbers - find other parents who have experienced this same thing with the teacher. IEP - 504 none of that matters if a 2nd grader is being exposed to this type of treatment. I’m a sped teacher and find this type of behavior incredible. Not listing a childs name on a program - what a Scrooge! I’ll bet she has no children and is high maintenance. Can’t believe I wrote that! Anyway, get a gang together and visit from the bottom to the top until this is resolved. The damage to your child will be much more severe if he doesn’t think you are behind him.
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
So glad this worked out for your son. I am a little disgusted that the principal reprimanded the teacher in the meeting. I’m glad I don’t work for him/her! Although she had it coming, it was extremely unprofessional to have the resolve in that manner.
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
There is no excuse for not modifying work according to the IEP–that is the law. I do wonder if parents ever actually understand what it is like to be the teacher of a class with many ADHD children plus the ED (emotionally disturbed) children, etc. etc. There is a reason, you know, that the average career of a Special Ed teacher is only three years.
(Have you ever offered to volunteer at the school? Have you ever sent an encouraging note?)
Re: Teacher and ADHD discrimination
Worries me too…I experienced a similar situation once, and in retrospect I believe that the ‘reprimand’ was done to get ME off their backs — nothing changed in the classroom, and my son began to experience an escalated rate of subtle retaliation. Although that teacher changed grades, there is little that can be done to teachers for minor infractions, and nothing happened to her.
If I had it to do over, I’d pull him from that class — right or wrong, I DON’T think this teacher will change due to a public humiliation! Let’s face it — does public humiliation help CHILDREN learn? Not mine!
Best of luck with this one!
Hi You had better luck with your old school so I think you kind of know what helped your son before.Make sure that this is in his 504 or iep.Also I had my dd in dance classes 2 yrs ago,and they forgot one of the girls names and that mother made them print a new program just for her with her childs name.I think both sets of parent should go to the principals off. and demand that they do that. I also think you should call the district and complain about how this teacher is treating your kids. Add is a medical cond. and you are getting treatment for that so just because you dont have an iep or 504 the teacher should be willing to help espically if the testing has started.