Anyone not tell the school about your child being ADHD?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

Hi there,

I’m new to this site and have read quite a bit about how all of you are managing with your AD/HD children.. I have a 7 y.o. ds who was recently diagnosed. Not looking to engage in debate, but he is on 36mg Concerta.

Ds also has a high IQ - not gifted — but borderline gifted.. he is excelling equally in all areas in school (grade one). The teacher is now providing him with materials from the grade two cirriculum to keep him interested. He’s in a grade 1/2 split - we are lucky about that as he is clearly benefitting from it.

There were MANY problems with ds @ home, school and daycare from May - October of last year.. increaing problems with behaviour, attitude, anger etc.. finally after several weekends of non-stop fights, tantrums, defiance.. and ongoing violence at daycare.. we had to do something and made arrangements to have ds assessed.. after TONS of testing we got the ADHD diagnosis. He’s been on medication since late January and it’s been a miracle.. it’s not about how I feel about the medication — because goodness knows I’d be thrilled to NOT have him on it!! He is so much happier on medication - he tells me that he’s good now, he can be friendly, he can concentrate on his work - his self esteem has risen THOUSAND fold.. that’s the results that are most important to me!!!!

One thing tho — and my primary reason for posting.. I have NOT informed the school of the diagnosis nor of the fact he is taking medication.. my reasons are this:
Schools seem to treat ADHD as a behaviour disorder.. which is it not.. it’s a disability.. (we are in Canada)for the life of me I cannot understand why they punish these kids instead of supporting them - what do they think these kids are going to learn by punishing them??? I don’t get it.

Since ds has begun the medication he has gone from daily problems at school to maybe one a month.. since beginning Concerta (3 weeks ago) there have been NO problems at all at school. I think we are seeing a rebound affect when it wears off but I’m going to see if that works itself out over the next few months…

Oh and ds report card went from b, c and d’s to all A’s and B’s this term.. he was THRILLED and so were we.

Submitted by TerryB on Tue, 03/23/2004 - 11:52 AM

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I have a second-grader and I have not told the school that she has ADHD. She is borderline. I do tell the teacher at the beginning of the year exactily what her issues are and also where she is advanced compared to other students.
Terry

Submitted by JenM on Tue, 03/23/2004 - 12:33 PM

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We did tell the school. My 7 year old (was six at diagnoses) is in first grade. In her situation we were working together to try to find her problem which we all thought was an LD like dyslexia. We were in close communication with the school throughout so when we had her evaluated they were very helpful. Also, when we started meds I wanted the school nurse to be aware in the event there were adverse side effects or God forbid something happen and she needed medical care. We have a different situation where the school and staff are all mostly very supportive.

On the other hand, my other daughter (12, 6th grade) has an evaluation coming up. Her problems are not as severe so I don’t know that we will even consider medication for her. But, I seriously doubt I will inform her school of the results as I don’t find the staff there to be nearly as supportive and helpful.

Submitted by KarenN on Tue, 03/23/2004 - 2:02 PM

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I’m wondering , as in JenM’s post, if there is a reason to tell the school nurse, and if the information could be kept confidential. I can see why you ‘d be reluctant to label him, given that things are going well. I think every situation is different but that would be my one concern, - that if something happened to him at school the people treating him would know he’s on some medication.

Submitted by Cathryn on Tue, 03/23/2004 - 3:34 PM

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There has been debate over the past few years amongst my family and a few friends as to whether or not my oldest daughter has ADHD. She has never been diagnosed as such, but if she were, I wouldn’t tell the school.

She HAS been diagnosed with depression, and I DID tell the school that, because they need to be watching her.

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/25/2004 - 4:01 AM

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he was diagnosed.. and I certainly have thought of having him re-tested.. tho I don’t have another $750 to spend on it right now. My plan is to see how he does at school - if he’s BORED and the teacher isn’t giving him any enrichment I’ll have him re-tested and then present THAT to the school.. this year (grade one) he has a GREAT teacher that sees how bright he is and is providing enrichment.. so my main concern right now is that he learns the social skills he’s missed out on over the past few years..

I agree that the ONLY reason I might tell the school about the diagnosis is because he takes medication .. but I am always available via my cell phone (it’s always on and clipped to my waist) so in an emergency I can be contacted…

I appreciate the input.. nice to hear that others feel as I do!!

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