My 10 year old son has been diagnosed with ADHD and ODD for about 2 years now. He is currently taking Concerta, Tenex and Zoloft. I have been having a real hard time getting the school to understand his differences and how the combination of the two of them creates a more difficult environment. Has anyone else had a similar difficulty working with their school? I would love to get some folks together to talk about the extra difficulties involed with when a child has both ADHD and ODD.
Re: ADHD and ODD
I certainly empathize with you on the school issue. I have been fighting with Brian’s school for 4 years now about providing Brian with the best possible learning environment. After quite a fight I managed to get him a 504 but they are not willing to give him an IEP because “his academics are not suffering” becaues he is extremely smart. He spends more time in the office than in class and still catches up with the class. Did you keep copies of her report card? If you did that can be a huge asset to you and Gabrielle.
I have been getting the cold shoulder from all of Brian’s teachers every year. I have been told that when people see me coming the gear up. I am known as “the bitch” but I don’t care. My son needs me because he can’t advocate for himself.
My suggestion would be to find out who is in charge of learning differences in your school and set up a time to talk with them. Your daughters education is important and she needs you to push for her.
Just a note for you - Gabrielle is perfect too! Don’t let anyone tell you different. I have listened to people tell me how imperfect Brian is for years. I have listened to them tell me that I don’t parent him right, that if I parented him right I wouldn’t have so many problems, that I just have to be stronger, etc. I have learned that it is not my parenting style that caused Brian to get this difficult disorder and because it can not be seen, like being blind or being in a wheelchair, many people don’t realize that it is real.
Hang in there. And thanks for replying.
Angel Carlson wrote:
>
> My daughter is 6 years old and was recently diagnosed with
> ADHD/ODD. She’s currently taking Ritalin. Our problem with
> the school is that since she’s been in school, her teachers
> have all agreed that she “talks too much”. In fact, it was
> written on every report card and progress report since she
> started school. But now that we’ve addressed the problem,
> discovered that she has ADHD/ODD, the teachers all of a
> sudden say there was never a problem, that she’s all of a
> sudden an angel. I get the cold shoulder now from her
> teacher, (who when we sent in the form so that Gabrielle
> could get med every day, had the nerve to call me on the
> phone and ask if I was “sure this was what I really wanted to
> do”)
>
> Now I’m immensely concerned that my daughter (who is a very
> gifted reader) has a learning disability on top of it all..
> I am almost scared to address it with her teacher!!
>
> I don’t know - we’ve already decided that she needs to switch
> schools for the next school year - luckily we have that
> option available to us.
>
> I’d love to chat with you - feel free to email me!
>
> Angel
> mom to Gabrielle (6yrs) ADHD/ODD
> and Liam Everett (8 mos) perfect child (so far!)
Re: ADHD and ODD
My 12 yr old son is ADD/ODD and I just felt compelled to make a short comment here. Most schools are really hesitant to do IEP’s and evaluations because it does cost the district a lot of money. Here in Hawaii there was even a lawsuit against the state so I personally have had plenty of cooperation though not perfect.Anyway, a hint I have learned is to do as little as possible on the phone but instead do it in writing, that is, certified mail.Get an advocate from some source to help you. Here there is an organization specifically to provide them, check out all of your local health services, they might be listed with the United Way. I have found the internet to be very valuable. Good luck!
Diane
My daughter is 6 years old and was recently diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. She’s currently taking Ritalin. Our problem with the school is that since she’s been in school, her teachers have all agreed that she “talks too much”. In fact, it was written on every report card and progress report since she started school. But now that we’ve addressed the problem, discovered that she has ADHD/ODD, the teachers all of a sudden say there was never a problem, that she’s all of a sudden an angel. I get the cold shoulder now from her teacher, (who when we sent in the form so that Gabrielle could get med every day, had the nerve to call me on the phone and ask if I was “sure this was what I really wanted to do”)
Now I’m immensely concerned that my daughter (who is a very gifted reader) has a learning disability on top of it all.. I am almost scared to address it with her teacher!!
I don’t know - we’ve already decided that she needs to switch schools for the next school year - luckily we have that option available to us.
I’d love to chat with you - feel free to email me!
Angel
mom to Gabrielle (6yrs) ADHD/ODD
and Liam Everett (8 mos) perfect child (so far!)