My high school daughter recently diagnosed ADHD - Special Ed. program at school good idea?

Question

She is not slow!:( Actually she makes fairly good grades!!!!!! Bs and some Cs - she can do better though - she is extremely disorganized and can be distracted easily - YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING TO BE FUNNY EXCEPT ABOUT MY CHILD!!!!!!!!!:(

She just had extensive Psychological evaluation tests done by a professional child pshycologist.

This is not for special classes - this is for accomodations within regular classes for more help from teachers.

Answer 1

If your child qualified to have modifications done within the the regular education classes I say "go for it". She is still with grade level peers, she is still in the appropriate curriculum and the only thing that will probably change is that she will have extended time and possibly help using a student agenda, getting and organizing notes.
One thing to keep in mind, is that if your child has an IEP this will follow her into college. THIS IS A GOOD THING>>> Usually if an IEP is in place two years prior to graduation, the same accomidations can be used at the college or university level, this may qualify her for free tutoring at this level as well.
It may also help her qualify for scholarships or financial aide.
(Children with disabilities ACT)

At the high school level there is little stigma to the IEP because with all of the switching of classes no one has time to keep up with someone else's schedule.

She may not qualify for special services because she is making "average" grades" but for the reasons stated above I would take advantage of resources that are available to help my child to the best that she is capable of doing.

Answer 2

I think it's a good idea , I have a daughter in third grade who has benefited from special classes . It can save the kid from the frustration of being pushed to quickly . In special ed they will learn the same material only with less pupils in the class so they can get more one on one assistance from the teachers . I highly recommend it myself . Special ed also does not mean your child is stupid or dumb as some may indicate and has been given a bad connotation . It employs teaching methods more suitable for your kid and that's the important thing whats best for the kid. They still interact with other kids , it's not like they are locked in a dark corner somewhere as some may try and indicate that. The adhd drugs available may help but that's only a part of the kids difficulty , I've dealt with this difficult decision and am basing it on my own experience as a father of a child with adhd. Proper evaluation is needed because it is believed as some may point out that only 1 in 4 on medication for adhd actually meet the clinical standards so I'm in agreement with some others on this point . Base your decision on the doctors and school teachers thoughts on the matter and your own of course also . Good luck and do what you feel best for the child.

Answer 3

My daughter too was diagnosed with ADHD last year. She is in Special Ed classes (once a day) to help her with her lack of organizational skills and lack of social ettiquette. She didn't mind them last year and actually seemed to do better with them (She was in 6th grade). This year, she is concerned because her peers think she is special ed because she goes to these classes. She hasn't said yet that she'd like to stop but it's something to consider. They DO help. Another thing I found that really works for her is a supplement called attentive child. it's basically magnesium that she takes in chewable tablet form and I noticed a difference almost immediately.

Good Luck

Answer 4

If you feel she needs the extra help, then yes. But you said she's already receiving fairly good grades.
You most certainly should ask for an IEP and see what exactly the school can do for your daughter and how they can help you and then it would be up to you to put her in special ed or not.
Call and talk with the school psychologist to see what options you have and what they can do... you may not even need an IEP or you may just want to have one just in case. It wouldn't hurt.

edit: they wouldn't pull your daughter out of regular class, they just may have some ideas on help in the class if she needs it. With her grades, it sounds as though they wouldn't change too much.

Answer 5

At the meeting next week you will be told all the details of how she qualifies for it, if she does. She might have a learning disability, but if not, she may have a speech problem, a vision or hearing problem, an orthopedic problem, Mental Retardation, an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Disturbance, Traumatic Brain Injury, or something else! If you are not satisfied with what you are told at the meeting, refuse to sign the IEP paper, and she will not be put into Special Ed.

Answer 6

no, unless its something more than ADHD.
Well you can sign her up for special needs program, which is very helpful because they will give you more time for test, they can even have someone take notes for you. Plus she would take normal classes like everyone else, there would just be more help available to her. but you definitly don't want to call it Special Ed, because its not and I don't know very many teenagers that would want to be in special Ed

Answer 7

it's too late for that. sped-classes are ment to be a catch-up but in reality they take from regular classes. you really dont' know wheater someone has adhd til they have ben diagonised by someone with a degree in neroscience. if she has not been there is a chance that she does not have adhd. accoring to the no child left behind legisator you can sign up for tutoring. i would recomend the prinston review if you live in the US. you might want to look at your food choices as well. alot of teens don't eat breakfast cause they are to busy. maybe if she had a proper breakfast and lunch she would be able to think more clearly.

Answer 8

Bump anyone that thinks "there normal", everyone and I mean EVERYONE learns at a different pace.

Ok, so she needs "special education" classes... think of it this way, she's got this far with out them, that's pretty damn good... now you have a few options.

1. Go with what the school says...
2. Get a second opinion
3. Put her in a different school
4. Get a tutor for her

Good luck.

Answer 9

No, your daughter does not have a learning disability, and you did not mention that she was behind in school. ADHD deals with hyperactivity, and the inability to concentrate. You need to work with your daughter's teachers so they understand her diagnosis, and they can help your daughter find some coping mechanisms, such as sitting in the front, manipulating playdoe or silly putty while listenning to lectures, having an A student take notes for her (in addition to her own notes) etc.. You might also consider medication...I know it's got a bad rap right now because it seems that everyone is in a hurry to medicate their child...but if it works for your daughter, you SHOULD use it.

Answer 10

It could be a good idea and not so good. In high school popularity is everything. My daughter is going through highschool right now and she is always stressing about being prettIER, SmartER, er er er! But in the long run the program could help you daughter which is for the best. I would probably put my daughter in special classes outside of the district. GOODLUCK