2007-01-26 16:58:12 · 18 answers · asked by KATHEYCARCRASHER 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
teacher just states he drops pencils 20-30 times a day they have to give him 4-5 new a day. No aggressive problems, IEP was done and theya re just stateing "all he can control he does" it just seems he can't control it all. Was wondering if after they test if they strongly feel adhd if they can say no meds/no school. I am not sure on the line where i stand. I dont htink he's got it.
2007-01-26 17:11:55 · update #1
No, they can't force it. They might suggest it.
A complete evaluation should include the school, his doctor, you AND your spouse. (Possibly day care provider if you have one.)
At that point, if it points to ADHD as a possibilty... consider the meds. You can always stop them if you don't like the result. Your son might enjoy being able to focus better. (IF ADHD is the issue. If it's not, he won't enjoy the meds.)
Most of the meds available are in and out of your system within 12 hours.
Ooo, oo!... try an Air Pillow. They have cushions for ansty kids. They are made of vinyl and have a cushion of air. The idea behind it is this: When you sit on a cushion of air, you are constantly rebalancing your weight. The urge to move a lot is gone or greatly reduced. The school administrators might already have one, but I saw sometime very similar at Target for about $20.00 in the workout section. It might work!
My son has one in his class. His teacher asked if he could use it. None of the kids even take notice of it. He loves it and it keeps him in his seat and focused!
2007-01-29 23:00:59 · answer #1 · answered by AleksMama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how savvy you are. My first guess from your limited answer is, if the school does not have any documented evidence that he is disrupting the other students, the school doesn't even really have anything to go on.
I knew a women in college that had a son with ADHD. She wanted to use a behaviorist approach, the school wanted him medicated. The school told the mother that for every day he came to school without taking medicine, they would refuse to let him in the classroom, and if he missed too many days, he would fail. Of course, she got a lawyer, but I don't know the end result.
Did a teacher tell you your child has ADHD, or has your child been diagnosed? As a teacher, I have been told many times to be VERY careful about suggesting a diagnoses to a parent. We are only supposed to give the parent the symptoms and suggest a visit to the family doctor to try to sort things out. I've been told that in some districts, if a teacher reccommends that a child be tested for a certain problem, it is up to so the school district to pay for that testing.
I hope this helps, good luck!
2007-01-26 17:06:53 · answer #2 · answered by queenrakle 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO- schools cannot force any medication on a child- It is completely parent choice. If you really don't want your child on meds and you don't think he needs it, then have your own test completed with a family doctor.
There are many alternatives to medicine. There are strategic interventions,etc. that can be used. ADHD does not always include disruptive behavior. It could include disorganization, uncompleted assignments, trouble paying attention, excessive day dreaming, not begin on task, etc.
However, what is used is completely up to parent discretion. IEP's for students are even optional. Your child cannot be tested without permission from you. It is a long process to be tested in a school. I would suggest talking with a family doctor in addition to the school testing if you have any doubts. You might also want to do some research on ADHD and see if you child has any symptoms that you might not readily associate with ADHD. Good Luck!
Be nice to the teacher about it. I'm sure that she is requesting the test for a good reason. Maybe you could have a conference and discuss this with the teacher and the others who are involved with the testing process.
2007-01-27 00:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by Pamela G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a question that I am passionate about. In my opinion, schools should not be able to force children to take ADHD medication. I believe that at times, medication is pushed to compensate for poor classroom management skills. Because there are some risks associated with taking medications to manage ADHD I most definately do not feel that schools should have the power to "mandate" such medication. Mind you I take Concerta 54mg myself. In my experience...I have had school officials call CPS on families because the parent did not want their child medicated. The cases (there were 3 instances) were all unfounded, but it is really rotten that the parents had to go through an investigation. The last time I checked, most public schools don't have a psychiatrist or a neurologist on staff. The teachers might be able to provide recommendations based on your child's behavior, but should not be able to say "your child needs meds. they can't sit still otherwise." There are some behavioral modifications that can be very helpful in controlling the symptoms of ADHD. In this case, if the child is antsy, maybe a stress ball would help, or structured breaks. I would strogly recommend that a FBA be conducted prior to assuming that medication is the only alternative Don't let the school bully you!
In response to your additional details...by law the school is required to provide your child with an appropriate education. They are not permitted to say no meds/no school. I am wondering what interventions the school has tried to implement in order to help your child reduce his fidgeting. What does his IEP say? Is it being followed as closely as it should be?
2007-01-26 17:14:38 · answer #4 · answered by Toadsputum 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if the no disruptive behavior and bothering classmates , just antsy all the time, is the description coming from the ADHD person.. I have to say probably so.. because I have two cousins and a stepson who suffer from this and they always think they are not as bad as everyone else thinks..
They fought taking medication for years.. My two cousins are now in their mid twenties and decided that they where getting older and nothing was getting better.. Now they wonder why they didn't take this med a long time ago.. The rest of the family wonder why to.. as we have been going out of our minds with them. Now my step son is still in la la land.. I'm hoping for the same outcome in him too.
2007-01-26 17:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by Esther J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No way! The school cannot "force" anything on your child. What they can do is tell you your child needs to be on an IEP (Individulized Education Program) and maybe he needs to be in another classroom where he will not be disruptive to the teacher and other classmates while they are trying to learn. Because just as much as your child has a right to be in school and learn so do other children. If they keep bugging you about it look into an advocate or an attorney.
2007-01-26 17:07:55 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ Mary ♥ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, you're the guardian no one but a judge can force you to give you to consent to treatment. With that said most school wouldn't make that recommendation lightly ask for an optical tracking test and a communication log to go home and back to the school every day. They could say they are unable to educate the child in the school but the school district would still need to figure out a way to provide an education. Is the child doing well in school? You could also request an IEP meeting
2007-01-26 17:06:43 · answer #7 · answered by ingsoc1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the school and its employees are not qualified to even recommend medication, as that is a medical issue, not an educational issue. Medical history, side effects and options should all be a part of deciding (or not) to medicate a child for ADD or ADHD. But first, you've got to have a diagnosis. A child can be antsy for many reasons: too much sugar in the diet (the schools are not helpful there as cafeteria food can be high in sugars); boredom; other medical issues; social issues; etc. The principal and teachers are so underqualified on this matter, it's worrisome for the implications for our children. If your child were Einstein, they'd medicate the brilliance right out of him!
Don't forget that your school is highly motivated to mis- diagnose your child as having a learning disability. In my state, each regular child is worth approximately $5,000/year to the school district (in funds from the state and the feds), provided the child shows up in school. The child with learnng disabilities is worth more than $20,000/year. It's no surprise that teachers go looking for problems, even when none exist!
Don't be afraid to consider home-educating your child. Even parents who don't have a college degree can do better at teaching a child at home than the public schools can. It's sad, but true.
And don't let the school bully you! Without a court order, they can't make your child take medication. (Judges are just as unqualified to decide to medicate as teachers are. There has to be a valid medical diagnosis and a Dr. following up.) Don't go to a specialist that is recommended by the school. He gets his business from them and will have all the wrong factors motivating him.
Those are just the high points on the issue. I wish you well and pray that it all turns out OK.
2007-01-26 17:36:18 · answer #8 · answered by woodsygirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely not. BUT, if the behavior continues they may resort to asking you to remove your child from that school or other parents may start complaining (that is if your child is really a bothersome like they say). This did happen to my nephew...he was antsy all the time which is a good sign of ADHD. I work with many kids with ADHD and they are not disruptive of rude. They are very antsy, can't keep still and there concentration skills are not to the level that it should be...best of luck.
2007-01-26 17:10:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the school cannot force you or your child to do anything. Especially if your child is not exhibiting any disruptive behavior, then meds should not even be a topic of discussion.
Even regarding your child's placement, especially if you have you IEP in place, the school can only recommend your child's placement. You, the parent have final say on what that placement actually is.
2007-01-26 17:10:16 · answer #10 · answered by Jazz In 10-Forward 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋