New Teacher--Help!

Be understanding, be willing to work along side the parent….go thru the ups and downs of med dosages and changes, it takes a while to get it right. And it’s rough going thru. As far as assignments, maybe allow extra time or send more things home. We’re not quite at that stage yet as Lauren is only in 2nd grade the work hasn’t been too hard for her, maybe by 3rd grade it will be next year.

Loves,
S

There are several things that you can do. First keep as many objects including other children out of the focus between the student and the educators…i.e. front row almost always away from windows and hall ways. The homework and assignments should always be given in writing, you can even have a special cue that you use to let the child know they may be drifting. In an older child 10-12 they appreciate that much more then the attention of verbal.acknowledgement Allow longer time if necessary on tests and offer them an avenue in which they can let you know they need additional time as to not draw attention to them. When absent and work needs to be made up allow them to do partial pages ie. math pages 10-12 (they may have to do only the odd numbers) this avoids the overwelming feeling they get when it is necessary for them to be absent. Quiet areas for testing is always helpful. let the parents know immediatly when something is not completed or missing from daily assignments. As much as possible provide positive reinforcement. The feeling of never being able to do things right is overwelming. ADD children learn better through hands on and examples rather then reading (textbook). I think it is wonderful that you have even taken the time research. I wish you the best of luck in your new venture. My biggest tip would be to know that these children so want to be the others and this is a life long diagnosis that they have to deal with you and you can either make it positive or negative for them a great burden but one i am sure you will be willing bear…..

Recognize that all children have strengths and weaknesses. Just because a child’s written work is subpar it doesn’t mean that he is less intelligent. Talk to him and find out what he knows.

Understand that most children really want to feel successful. They want to be considered good and want you to see them in a positive light. A child who is out of control needs your help to find ways to be in control. He isn’t doing it intentionally.

I think that you are off to a great start because you asked this question. You must care and that is the most important thing of all.

Since my son was in 5th grade I would make sure I met with all his teachers at the beginning of school in September. For his IEP I would bring in his psychologist and meet with a staff of social worker, nurse, guidance counselor, and as many of his classroom teachers as could make it. We would explain the problems my son had in school, i.e., not turning in his assignments, sloppy writing, disorganization, messiness, constant doodling on his papers and during class, and trouble focusing. Every year! Same thing, same teachers.

Every grading period we would receive notes along with his grades citing lack of organization, number of missing assignments, sloppy work, antsy in class.

I wasted everyone time and my money!

I asked that the teachers sign his assignment book. They would agree to it begrudingly. They would tell me they were too busy to remind him to come and get his book signed. They would wait until he missed three assingments before calling us. They would say it was his responsibility to take care of these things. Well, I tried telling them he wasn’t at that point yet and as admirable as I thought the development of responsibilty is we were more concerned with him doing the work and getting credit for what he did. He soon learned that if he didnt hand his work in on time they wouldn’t take it. He didn’t care about grades. All he wanted to do was play and not do homework. When he was in middle school it was a constant battle but I could pretty much stay on top of him. But it was always a battle with the teachers.

HIgh school has been a nightmare until recently when he started Straterra, which has been addressing his focusing problems. He was very close to being asked to leave the school and when he realized we weren’t talking out our hats
he has started trying again. Now this is in conjunction with the new drug taking effect. But his teachers are speaking much more positively about him and seem to be more willing to make slight accomodations. But they still don’t get the responsibility thing yet and treat him like all the other kids. So I have to keep on him about missing assignments and make him do them even if they won’t be accepted. I think he’s beginning to see the relationship between doing the work and the grades he receives.

If you are accomodating kids in a regular classroom, it is difficult to be able to address everyone’s issues and still get the curriculum met. But if you can keep the parents on top of what’s going on in the classroom that’s a tremendous help. And if you can figure out where the kid is starting from rather than guaging them by the other kids everyone will be able to appreciate the progress out kids make. My son’s D’s in math have been more appreciated than the B’s and C’s in much easier subjuects because we know how difficult math is for him and how hard he works at it.

I wish you the best and appreciate your wanting to know a little about our kids before you start. I hope you don’t lose that as you go on in your teaching career.

Give only homework that is absolutely necessary. Don’t plan for homework to take up a certain amount of the evening. There is plenty in busy families’ lives that takes up the evening already. Avoid busy work at all costs.

Lengthy assignments don’t work well for ADHD, ADD children and their minds can race faster than their hand and their pencil. Allow students to type their work or allow them to dictate their thoughts to a willing typist.

Understand they tend to be disorganized and avoid having lots of folders and binders for them. They don’t help. Have a website where the nightly homework is posted.

Good luck.