getting help in school

Marley’s Mum wrote:
>
> I’ve a son with ADHD and although the school was giving
> funding he was’nt getting the help he needed.I had a show
> down with the head teacher who was so arrogant .Marley has a
> carer once a week provided by the social services.I bought
> this to the attention of the social services and also made
> arrangement for his psychiatrist to have a talk with the
> teachers involved with him.I was appauled to find out that
> teachers have no training around this condition.The amount of
> children that are excluded and expelled because teachers
> don’t have any idea how to deal with them.Ifind this really
> sad.Marley who has been excluded in the past for various
> reasons is now finally getting the help he needs and has been
> star pupil of the week twice.Also an award for being best
> behaved at lunchtimes.A long battle but worth it.He also has
> learning disabilities and his handwriting has improved in
> leaps and bounds.I’m really proud of his acheivements and of
> course of him!!!!!!!

Find the msg. board on wrightslaw.com. You can get some legal advice there. Good luck.

Thanks for that but I live in England and children like Marley are marked as NAUGHTY.He was for years umtil a friend whom I was explaining his behavior to said if I did’nt know any better I would have thought you were talking about my son and he has ADHD.I’d never heard of it before.He was diagnosed severe.He was very violent with it since he’s been medicated I can communicate with him.It was a relief to know I could help him.With a lot of support that I had to fight for, he’s making progress in all areas.He’s gaining control in his life.I don’t medicate him at home which is a challenge with two sibblings whom I feel cope very well.It’s a strain on us all and I will do my best to the best of my abilty.I’ts nice to have someone to talk to who understands.Thank you all for being there. Bar a certain person who obviously has nothing better to do than attempt to undermine ourdevoted abilities to care for the children we love

Wow, I though we had problems here! You are making history in that school. If I were in your shoes, I would keep it as positive as possible. Try to hold your temper but firmly advocate. You may be too busy to volunteer in your school but that could help. Our teachers don’t get any formal ADHD training generally either so they learn “on the job” but at least there is a little more awareness here. We still run up against some non-believers however.

I have another daughter with anxiety issues and I accidently came on a little strong once, the teacher became defensive and I walked out with nothing but anger. The next day I swallowed my pride and appologized for getting “emotional” and said something like “I’m only trying to find what is best for my child and I should be aware that her condition is “rare” (a little fib) and I shouldn’t expect teachers to understand it. I know that you care for children (possibly a fib) or you wouldn’t be doing this kind of work and I promise to get you more information from her doctor and the national association for anxiety in children so that I can communicate better.” Once the ice melted I was able to get my agenda. Donating school supplies also helped. Hee-hee.

I’m generally a “straight-shooter” so kissing up and stretching the truth really irritates me but I’ll do what I need to do to protect my child (the greater responsibility.)

Best of luck to you. Hope your child’s doctor can help support you.