Only people with ADHD children please.?

Question

I have an 11 year old and a 5 year old both with ADHD my oldest is in 5th grade.My main concern is I have him in a small classroom and honestly I see him going down instead of forward.When he was in a regular class he was one reading grade behind.Now that he has been in this small classroom he has fallen 3 grades behind he has been in this for about 2 years now.My main concern is what do i need to do to help him to get where he needs to be like going forward? Someone who knows please help.

Answer 1

I too have an 11 year old in the 5th grade that has ADHD as well as Dyslexia. It is a struggle everyday and I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you. The school where my son attends has special reading classes called "title" that he goes to. He goes twice a week. Last year, I signed him up for Content Masery (or 504). This is a class that he can go to in which he has one on one interaction with a teacher who will help him with his assignments. It quiet with very few distractions. My son was reading at a 2nd grade level last year and after getting the dyslexia diagnosis, we made some changes that the doctor suggested and we have seen a change. His reading level went up a full grade level. It is extremely frustrating but consistency is a must. We read every night during the summer for at least 30 minutes at night. I know it's aggravating and sometimes I don't know if I can do this, but I keep on because that's what mothers do. Feel free to email me if you need anything. Take care and God bless!!

Answer 2

There are so many other things to take into consideration other than class size. What meds is he on? Is it time for them to be readjusted? Does he like his teacher? Do the other kids accept him or pick on him? Have you discussed the problem with the teacher? How does he do at home?

I have found that the wrong teacher can cause major backsliding. Last year my son was the cruz of the teacher's problems with the class and was treated like an outcast, which of course made him lose all confidence.

This year he is in middle school, huge classes, switching classes and you know what? All honours classes and he is doing great!

So first, go meet with the teacher and try to gage if there might be a personality conflict. Then talk to your son and see if he is having problems other than school work. Then have an appointment with the doctor and discuss modifying meds.

It is a rough road for those of us with ADHD kids, it isn't about shoving a pill into them, it is about teaching them to work with the way their brains are wired. There are some online support groups, some here on yahoo. Why don't you think about joining a couple, it helps so much to be able to talk to others that know what it is like!

Answer 3

Well, I have a son who is 8 and I think he might have ADHD. I am strongly against medicine, so I try to work extra hard with him but I have noticed that there might be a need for something if this continues. I have read a little on it, and you could try behavioral therapy. It sounds like it is very time consuming, so I don't know if this would be a good option. Another thing that I am really looking into is altering my son's diet. Here is some information that might help you. I know how frustrating it is to have an ADHD child. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution that will work.

Answer 4

I have a 7 year old with severe ADHD and I think your son might be resenting the fact that he has to go to a "special" class. His friends could be teasing him and that only makes a kid with ADHD feel worse about themselves and his school work is suffering as a result.
Also have you had him tested for dyslexia? He may actually be having trouble reading rather than just not being able to concentrate on it.
I have experience with both. Dyslexia can make it very difficult to read especially if he reads some words backwards.( was is saw etc. etc.) Reading a sentence can be very confusing if the words don't make any sense.
I hope this will help.

Answer 5

As a person with ADHD and have graduated High School, and personaly had gone through this my self. Here is what had helped me. I had a dual class load. Some of my classes were regular sized, and then I had small classes that were helpful. This helped me to aquire the friends that aided me in the hardest times, and they were also from this dual classes. Also, at the age of 12 I had an IQ test to see how far I have gone in the classes as a base of how to judge which classes I needed small classes in. Personally getting to know the schools guidance counsilers and Special Needs teachers have helped my parents get me the help that I needed. I hope this helps if at all.

Answer 6

Most ADHD kids are kinesthetic learners. They have to move in order to learn. Just because he's in a small class doesn't mean he gets to move, it just means there are hopefully less distractions.

However, if the kids are all ADHD or similar there may actually be more distractions.

Obviously you know he can do it if he was there. . Have you tried things like a stress ball in one hand while he writes with the other. Sometimes that's just enough movement that the kinethetic learner can learn. It helps them tune out the other distractions as well.

Just a thought!

Answer 7

I have 3 children with ADHD. Ages 8, 6, and 5. Are your children on any medication? I do not like having mine on medication, and most parents (who don't have children with ADHD) think that the meds are more for the parents than the child. I beg to differ, the meds are implemented to help the child or children to be able to keep control of their actions and reactions. My oldest two are on concerta and risperdal and my youngest is on risperdal. These medications help the child to slow down and not act on impulses as much. Along with the medication should be consistent parenting and teaching with these children. If dyslexia is a factor also, your child or children may need a teacher or tutor that is certified in Alphabet Phonics to help your child or children to be able to read at or above the grade level he or she is currently in. My mother taught grade school for 43 years, the last 5 or so years she taught Alphabet Phonics to children and adults who have dyslexia that either never learned how to read or had alot of difficulty reading. Children with ADHD need to be in normal surroundings as much as possible so that they aren't ridiculed or teased about having to be in "special" classes. I have found that children with ADHD are very intelligent and just need the right help with what they are having difficulty with. I wish you the best. Talk with the school counselor(s) to see if he/she can help find someone to tutor your children and give you some exercises to do with them at home. God Bless You!!!

Answer 8

I think you need to have him reevaluated. Speak to his teachers about his lack of progress. I agree with the above poster that the teacher and teaching styles will make a difference in his learning. My 11 yo has ADHD and other issues, and I have kept her in her regular class and she has done well. I recently had her meds adjusted because it was not lasting long enough for her to get her homework done.

Children with ADHD need additional help from others besides what they get in class. I hope you are helping him at home as well.

Answer 9

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