Teachers and ADD/HD? Why dont teachers seem to want to help kids that have this?

Question

my son has ADD and in the 7th grade....his teachers seem to forget this and even though he is supposed to get classroom accomidations they seem to totally ignore these and just expect him to act like everyone else. It realy puts alot of presure on him. Any ideas or thoughts on the matter?

My son has been on meds in past, with not alot of good compaired to side effects. I have seen a few good teachers in his past, & I know they have alot on them also, but here's the thing...
he has 2 teachers now who make it a point to degrade him in front of the class, with things like "you have to start doing better and grow up or you will never make it and be like everyone else" what had my son done? He had dropped his assignment book out of his notebook and didn't know it. Teach pick it up for him and said the above.
I know teachers have it hard...But I also know there are alot of people in teaching who dont 'care' about the kids just the summers off. and these are the type that are really making it hard on kids like my son

Answer 1

Most regular education teachers do not want to differentiate instruction to accommodate students with disabilities. They are under extreme pressure to get their students prepared for standardized tests due to No Child Left Behind. So of course leaving one behind so that others can thrive is very common.

While there is no excuse for the remarks being made towards your son, the real villain is NOT the teacher. The principal receives funding so that a resource teacher can assist special education students who are totally included in regular education. Usually what they do is give some of these funds to regular education and then don't hire the number of resource teachers needed to monitor special education students.

I would meet with the principal with IEP or 504 Plan in hand and do the following:

*Ask who your child's resource teacher is
*If there is no one monitoring your child, ask for the reason, given the accommodations On the paperwork.
*If there is a resource teacher, find out the size of his or her caseload. If the principal refuses to tell you, call your school's Special Education Director and complain that your child is not receiving the accommodations on his IEP.
*If he tells you and the load seems reasonable, around 25 students, ask why the teacher is not contacting your son or his teachers.
*Tell him the remarks that are hurtful to your child and who said them. Demand that they stop.

It is time to advocate for your son. Be firm and as pleasant as you can be, given the circumstances. However, you must demand that your son receives his accommodations. If not, then proceed to the next administrative level, the Special Education Director.

Answer 2

Well, my son has ADHD also. He also has heart problems, he had heart failure on august 21st. I know what you mean about accomidations. I told the school, he goes two days a week and for three hours a day. I told the principle all about the disabilities and asked for accomidations. First I had to find the right school for him. He tries to work he get's very tired. The work is supposed to be making accomadations for him also, they act like he is like everyone else. I called and talked to the manager. Maybe there is someone you can talk to at his school like his teachers or the principle. Are children really need us to intervene for them. I noticed my son feels better after I talk to someone for him. If it is helpful for him. I believe they try treating them like everyone else because they don't want them to feel different than the other kids. They really are trying to help, I know there is people out there that you do have to deal with for your child.

Answer 3

Well, you have to remember that most jr. high teachers see about 120-150 students each day, so it might be hard for them to remember every child's specific need. Its always best to have your child discuss with his teachers regularly about his needs and what he is entitled to have. Most of the time, once they are reminded, most teachers will be glad to help out.

I know this all from first had experience. I am a high school freshman who was diagnosed with ADHD in the middle of my 7th grade year, and i was put on a program called "504" program. If you haven't already, talk to the school counselor to set up a meeting with all of your sons teachers to discuss different plans for helping your son.

Answer 4

If you think your SON is under a lot of pressure, you should try being a teacher. I'm not a teacher but I work with teachers and some of my friends are teachers... Next to nursing, I think teaching nowadays is the most IMPOSSIBLE job. Teachers have to contend with HUGE classrooms, TONS of paperwork, that IDIOTIC 'No Child Left Behind' crap, parents who refuse to see that their kids aren't perfect, school administrations that don't give a DAMN about how much pressure they are under as long as the stupid tests are done on time... Most of us would blow our brains out if we had to teach for a week.

Add to this a child who needs special attention? Impossible.

Of course, none of this is your son's fault and it's very sad that he -- and others -- can't get the attention they need and deserve. But don't blame the teachers -- blame the politics. Use your VOTE to let people know this is NOT the way to run a school. We need MORE teachers and much, MUCH more funding for our schools! Maybe then your son can get the attention he needs.

Answer 5

Ironic. I have ADHD and while my parents remained oblivious throughout my school career despite declining grades and attention span, my teachers always recommended I get help. But anyway, is he on anything? If he's on something, he should be reasonably accommodated in school. If not, the teacher should be personally informed by you so that things will be made clear and they will know what to do.

Answer 6

Does your child have a 504 or IEP plan for the ADHD? If not, schools are not legally liable to provide ANY help unless a child has one of these plans.
Even if they SAY they will, they won't. They are only 'saying' they will help (without IEP or 504) to get you off their back.

If he DOES have IEP or 504 plan, take action NOW. With a 504 plan not being followed, the next step is to file complaint with OCR- office of civil rights.

With IEP violations, you file complaint with your state dept of education.

If your child does NOT have IEP or 504 plan, ask to see if he can qualify for either of these IN WRITING.

About medicines, schools are not to even MENTION anything about meds. If they do, print this, whip this out to them and shut them up--

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c108:3:./temp/~c108i6yFA0::

Answer 7

because they don't under stand what th teacher is trying to saying so they have to go to them one by one and show them how to do it