Should we change schools

[ghsnd]

I have a son in a parochial school. He is on the lowest dose of Concerta, unfortunately the school knows this and I found out they have been asking him if he's taken his medication. I told them to never, ever, under any circumstances ask him that question again.

They didn't listen, in fact they are very fond of suggesting that I 'up his dose'. Again, not their place. I welcome feedback, I do not appreciate being told I need to up his dose because he was inattentive for two mornings.

I dreaded this new school year, because the school wants to blame every bad day on lack of meds. He's had incredibly good days at this same school when NOT medicated. I remember one week where the principal insinuated that we'd upped his dosage, when in fact he had none whatsoever.

Also, he's been scoring at an 8th grade level on the NWEA since 4th grade, this year he scored at a 2nd grade level. When they asked him what happened he thought he was going to be in trouble and started crying. I got a phone call asking how they could get him to stop. Later he told me that he didn't try on the test because they would get irritated with him for taking too long. He's also been fighting an upper respiratory cold and has missed school. Now he is drowning in make-up work plus his regular work.

Now the school is requesting a meeting ASAP, Oh and his father is in the National Guard and will be spending a significant amount of time away from home, so that is on his mind as well. Yes, I have alerted the school.

I am not opposed to medication, I do want to be careful however.

Would it be best for my son, if I move him to another school, seeing there is a history of this school harassing him about medication?

I want to do what's best for him, and we are also trying behavior modification - which has helped, but now he's just so stressed about school that it's compounding the problem.

[Lacy_Mcc]

That is so tough! Does he have to take the medication at school or in the mornings before school? I was worried about my son being embarrassed about getting called to the nurses office to take his 12:00 dose so his dr and I adjusted his a.m. dosing to last through the school day. His teacher knows he's on meds because I wanted her to be aware of any odd behavior/side effects so she could let me know and she's been respectful and descreet to him and I about it. It saddens me that your sons school is not doing the same. there are so many kids with asthma, allergies, diabetes, etc that require medication at school and it's no different

[Hidden]

Under no circumstances should they be asking about his medicine. As a matter of fact, I retired 3 years ago from teaching for 29 years, and I was trained never to do that, because it can be embarrassing to the child and humiliating. Good grief, of course it is! It is good that they asked for a meeting, because you are going to get your ducks in a row. You need to firmly state that under no circumstances are they to DISRESPECT your son by asking about something like medicine! They are sending a message to him that he is not okay without drugs, and that is inappropriate. You have trained professionals who monitor your son's medication, and if the teachers do not agree, they put you in a terrible position, because your goal is to protect your son's rights.

I am sorry that you are dealing with this. Remember, this is your son, and caving to pressure to follow the directions of people who are not looking out for his best interest won't work. I hope that my support will make you put on your battle armor, if it is necessary. It is possible that being firm will work wonders, but if that doesn't help, you may have to get mean!

[anirush]

I don't know if switching schools will solve your problem. My grandson was in a public school where he had the same problem. It didn't make any difference how many good days he had if a bad one creep in.

He was on medication at lunch, too. I could tell when he got home if he hadn't had his lunch medication. When I complained about his missing it, the school nurse tried to tell me she couldn't force him to show up and take his meds. This was grade school. They got an earful from me then too.

If he is on medication you can get an I.E.P. at school and have things written into it like a safe time out place if he gets in a bad mood, the ability to get up in class and move around in a restricted area, no questioning him about his medication, etc.