Tics/ADHD/Learning Disability/Mood Swings

[Tracey111]

I read Michelle's post about her child and wanted to know how many other parents have all of these together. Why did I want to know?????

 

JUST today I thinking about how LUCKY I am to be a teacher. What I have learned in the last 7 years has been incredible. So, I feel the need to share with you what I know....(since I can never share with how to help make the tics better!!!).

 

If you have a diagnosis on ANY condition, let the school know about it. Get the 504 or IEP you deserve! Be SPECIFIC with what you want the accommodations to be. Think about how your child listens/reacts/processes info/and their best method of obtaining instructions/information. Communicate this to the person you are working on the 504 or IEP with! IF you think your request is unreasonable, ASK for it anyways....the worst they can do is tell that this is too much to ask for. A teacher is required to follow the things set out in this 504/IEP papers. Gently remind each new teacher that these papers exist (without upsetting the teacher by being pushy.... ....we don't want them irritated with our child b/c we were a pain in the behind!) Not to be the over reactive parent, but you better believe that if I end up with a 504/IEP for my child and a bad teacher who can not "reach" my child....the 504/IEP will be the ticket out the door into a better teachers room. (Is that horrible???)

 

My son can not process directions! If I give him two sentences of instructions, he does not retain it. (Now imagine him sitting in a high school classroom where they spit out the directions from a list and expect the kids to do the work!) We now say the two sentences and then repeat the two key words to him (teeth/jammies). We then started to teach him to say what the two keys words are after we give him the sentence instructions. From there we are now teaching him to say those two words over and over in his head until the tasks get done (because he can never seem to complete the tasks without being told three times!) He now will cryl "THAT IS TOO MUCH" if I try to give him three things to do at once, or talk too fast.....I am proud of this b/c he will let the teacher know when they are giving too much at one time.

 

We told his teacher about his processing issues and how we had to repeat the key words. They changed their teaching to include the two word repeat. They suddenly saw a difference in his understanding what the instructions were. At the start of the year he would sit there not knowing what to do.

 

If you notice things like this while they are with you, zone in on them and figure out how to best handle them. Then talk to the teacher/ESE person! I have seen the product of a child who is passed through the school system without these supports and it is not a good picture. ENCOURAGE your child to express themselves to the teacher when they do not understand!!!!! I love these children.....they will tell me that I am using too many big words, moving to fast, or to explain it one more time! If a teacher ever ridicules your child for doing this, you have the 504/IEP to fall back on. It is a complete protection for your child and it does preserve their rights. Again, a good teacher will review these accommodations and try to make sure that they are meeting every one of them.

 

I have to admit that my first 3 years of teaching, I thought children like my son were just lazy. I never had an understanding of how their brains worked until I lived it with my son. If I didn't teach, my son's forgetfulness and inability to listen to me would drive me crazy. I now realize that it is all with how children process information.....what works best for your child....once you find out what it is....communicate with the school!!!!!

 

I have had that ADHD/LD child in my classroom who is willing to work until they get it! This work ethic always seems to win out over the disability!!!!! I am doing everything I can to teach my child to keep working until he "gets it". I have seen this type of child and they do find success!!!! It just takes them longer to get it down....and they usually have a 504 or IEP that requires teachers to give them extra time on assignments/tests!

 

I hope this helps someone!!!!

[Chemar]

hi Tracey

 

so glad you posted this as my son has had IEP/504 since 1st grade all the way thru highschool and it has been a real benefit to have in place

 

The IEP was in elementary and the 504 began in 7th grade

 

My son is very smart, but he does have some LD, as well as ADD and CAPD, as well as the TS, OCD, SID etc and having the accommodations we requested helped him so much. After his Crohn's dx accommodations for that were added

 

 

 

I know many parents are reluctant to go with IEP or 504 plan as they fear "labeling" their child as somehow not as smart etc as others but that is so not the case with these accommodations

My son's educational psychologist wrote on the report that he was "above average" in intellect and abilities, yet the clear need for accommodations to suit his disabilities was there. (btw we used a private tester rather than just the school system as, altho our district is great, yet we do know of some who sadly make it hard for kids to get these accomodations, even tho they are legally entitled to them)

 

How blessed kids must be to have a teacher like you who "gets" it Tracey

[mom2a]

Hi There....My husband had/has all those and his school experience was just awful!!! Unfortunately 20 years ago.....they knew very little about this and just labled kids "problem children" Because of his schooling experience we decided to do the homeschooling route, which I have to say...I love!!!!! I hand it to teachers because it's a big job reaching children. It really took me a while to figure out my son's learning style because it turns out he has a lot of the same learning disabilities as my husband but both are equally VERY VERY smart, they just have a style all their own!!!! So I'm happy that my son can learn in his own unique way and I pray he'll find his educational experience better than his father's. I'm glad to know though there are some teachers out there advocating for our kids. Big Hug to you!!!