I'm so proud of DS!!!

Well guys, your advise really helped. After implementing both positive and negative reinforcement for DS failing to complete his school work - he has made a 180* turn around in just three weeks!

On DS’ last three week progress report he had dropped from A’s to B’s, C’s, and one D. I had asked the teacher to let him look at her grade book (covering up the other childrens’ names) so he could see how the other students didn’t have zeros for grades and how much the few zero’s and low grades he had earned had dropped his overall grades so much. He was upset!

He also found out that his teacher could e-mail me and let me know if he was off-task. Amazingly he was able to complete his class work on time and didn’t even have to go to study hall for catch-up work. The majority of his daily grades have been high 90’s and 100’s. Even when he was out for a week with Chickenpox (2nd time), he kept up with both the class and homework assignments.

Well, today he brought home his six week report card and his hard work has paid off. He received 6 A/E’s and 3 B’s. It wasn’t his normal straight A’s-but who cares. He proved to himself that he could do it and it wasn’t so awful. He is actually enjoying the free time he now has when he does his work first.

On top of that, he went this whole month with “greens” for behavior. Not one day with any negative comments or the “other” colors. He has never gone a whole month!

I am just so proud of his hard work and positive attitude.

Knowing his behavior pattern, this may happen again. But at least I know that he does care and can do it when he tries. We’ll just have to become more innovative the next time. I think we’ll continue to hold off on the meds at this time. He seems to be functioning well and I really don’t want his tics to become worse since they are not that noticeable right now. It is an option we may have to address in the future.

I am going to try the multi-vitamins with higher percentages of magnesium and zinc. Has anyone else tried out the “vitamin deficiency” issue?

Thanks again for the great suggestions and advice. DS is proof that this forum works!