ADHD discrimination, how popular is this problem really?

Question

my son who's 5 has only had 1 bad day at school, now he's only allowed to attend from 9am to 10.30am!! all this is a judgement on one days bad behaviour

yes my son has had 1 to 1 since pre school & even i think over 1 day its terrible

Answer 1

Schools, do not understand children with different behavioural needs, and therefore discriminate against children all of the time.

Answer 2

I can't answer as to the "WHY" but I can offer an opinion about the diagnosis.

I'll assume you aren't old enough perhaps, to recall when the diagnosis didn't exist. I am, and my sons were diagnosed more than 20 years ago.

I researched deeply into symptoms, and words used to define the behaviors, etc. before A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. were common defining terms. I have no real proof certainly, just going from my gut here, but I believe the two "tags" were placed on those specific, and then eventually similar symptoms, because it was/is, an easy diagnosis, when none other can be explained.

I also believe that medicating a child has far more negative impact, not only immediately, but over a long term.

I suggest more research should be done by the medical community, more involvement in treatment therapies should be explored, and a higher level of awareness by all, as to what the causes are/were for what is now deemed ADD/ADHD in inappropriate actions or behaviors.

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

I work in a school and I find this very hard to believe, have you spoken to the head teacher and class teacher. I would arrange an appointment to speak to them together and take someone with you for support. For this type of action far greater evidence of problems would be required, ask them what records they have which indicate that this step is necessary. Even if your son is diagnosed as having ADHD they cannot make a decision like this based on 1 day.

If he has only had 1 day of bad behaviour I would question if he actually has ADHD, once a child is labelled with a condition it is hard to remove it and unfortunately even in the best schools some staff make judgements on files rather than personalities.

Answer 4

Schools won't usually respond like that on the basis of only one bad day.

Talk to the teachers - find out their reasoning and evidence, be prepared to accept their decision and work with them towards behaviour that the school will accept.

You don't say whether the diagnosis of ADHD is official. If it is, does the school know? If they do, what support do they have in place for him?

Don't let your natural anger/annoyance get in the way of a positive outcome for your child.

If you disagree with the teachers, have a friendly chat with the head teacher to see how things can be resolved.

Answer 5

Unfortunately in this day and age the schools have the right to make that decision though it not fair on your son as he's the one missing out .. how can they get away with it when if u were the one keepin him out of school u'd be prosecuted .... do they make up their own rules .. my son was adhd but wasnt diagnosed till he was 9 he had his moments of being naughty but most of it was he couldnt sit still long enough to do any work but the school were really good .. wot else is your school doing for your son if anything I'm sure there must be a law somewhere that states your son is entitled by law to a certain amount of hours of education .. my partners son has been told he not online for any gcse results so they took him out and put him in the local college all for the sake of league tables .. get bk to proper teaching and not worry bout league stuff .. i'm a special needs teaching assistant and I see to well kids who get labelled and schools do nothing for them again money is an issue but dont let them get away with it get in touch with your EWO and see wot can be done after all school is supposed to be the best days of our life and it believe me its more common than u think children being labelled before being given a chance... sorry for the ranting but it gets me so mad...

Answer 6

My son is Autistic and I have ran in to problems like this, he is high functioning. My sister's son has ADHD and her son has it really bad and they never cut his day in half.

I have 2 questions
1. is your child in the public school system? In Kindergarten?
2. Did you and your teachers write an IEP?

I doubt you wrote an IEP for ADHD. You may not know what it is. If your child is in Kindergarten then I would suggest a sit down with the teacher and principle to determine how to get your child in a "all day" class setting. If he is in the public school system there is a lot more you can do about his situation. I wonder if he could use an Aide to specifically help him in class.

Really it is hard to answer your question without knowing where he is placed, I mean in what class setting?

Answer 7

I feel your pain dear. I had the same problem with my son during his early school years. Try to get him tested by a pediatrician you trust. That way you'll get a proper diagnoses. We fought the school system for years and finally ended up homeschooling for 4 years . My son has a mild case of autism, not ADD which is what the school diagnosed. Teachers and school personel are not trained to be making this type of judgement and should not attempt to do so. They cause more harm than good by doing so.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, you are experiencing the public education world of one acceptable model: the well behaved, quiet, motivated, respectful little girl. If your son doesn't follow that model, he will be labeled "bad" or "broken" for the rest of his school days.

It's a self perpetuating approach--keep reinforcing to creative, active young boys that they are "Bad" -- and they will begin to see themselves that way, and behave as they believe is expected of them--badly.

Liberal political school systems and administrators are feeding what a Harvard study has called a "pipeline to prison" --where kids who need help are expelled callously.

Make them show you in writing where they have the authority to impose that restriction. Cutting his attendance time could risk his ability to attend the required number of days in order to pass that grade (kindergarten??).

Sounds like you have your hands full from all directions. Good luck.

Answer 9

Has he been evaluated by a school psychologist? Is the school providing him with a special program and a child study team? Are you familiar with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? No one can be discriminated because they have special needs. The school district needs to provide him with an education and remedial programs if necessary. Contact the superintendent of the school district and file a complaint citing the ADA.

Answer 10

This is sad - ADHD - is a term applied to what used to be called "normal childhood". A lack of concentration is typical in boys who attend schools with poor physical exercise regimes, and bad diet.

It is not a real condition until these things have been improved, and it certainly can't be diagnosed in a day.

Sue them and I hope you have every success in finding a better way for your son.

Answer 11

i work in a school and i find that hard to believe, this is harsh treatment, for 1 days bad behaviour, have you spoken to the head and teachers?? has your child been assigned a 1 on 1?? i would not accept this, and demand a fair hearing, your child has a right to be taught at school full time, seek out more advise..