I hate when teachers say, "All the students had time to get their work completed".

[ChristinaR1967]

I used to be a teacher. I know they are overworked, underpaid and unappreciated. I lived that life and walked away from it because of the enormous stress. With that being said, I get bugged with my son's teachers when they expect him to hand things in at the same rate as his neurotypical counterparts. My son has a 504 plan and it allows him to turn in things late. I have to constantly bring this up. It's frustrating to say the least. I feel like in a fight everyday when school is in session. My son is 15 and a freshman. If he was younger, I'd homeschool again. The stress of ADHD in regards to school is quite an emotional load.

[ScatteredMommy]

I am dealing with this in middle school. I am so tired of reminding, and really get frustrated when they say he could have done it if he had used his time in class better. Well duh!

[Brownstoner in reply to ScatteredMommy]

I get that too!! or "He was rushing through and not paying attention, rushing to get to recess." Yes he was, that is what he looks forward to. His brain is not of the average student.

[Janice_H]

I know what you mean and am in the same situation. I am constantly having to talk with the teachers about the low scores they give on my son's assignments and how their expectations are not realistic.

What has helped somewhat is when a project is assigned, I let the teach know in advance he will need additional time to complete it. We agree on an extended due date.

[Brownstoner]

This is extremely true! As a teacher and a mother of my son whom has ADHD, it has been a very difficult journey, since preschool. Each year has its ups and DOWNS. Let's face the reality, Traditional schools are not designed with ADHD children in mind. Curriculums and teaching materials are not designed with ADHD children in mind. And, many teachers are not trained to deal with and teach to ADHD children, they (we) only have 1-2 maybe 3 classes that highlight ADHD in college.

[abryans in reply to Brownstoner]

I have often said that the biggest weakness in our educational system is that it was basically designed to teach children of the same age the same thing, in the same way. Humans, ADHD or not, just don't develop that way! There is a range in which readiness for specific academic and other skills emerge.

[Aniusia]

I Feel your pain! Just got another IEP meeting today. Anyway, why can’t you homeschool now? If my son continues to struggle I will pull him from public school system. He is unmotivated, but can it be even worse then it is now? At least I wouldn’t be paranoid of my phone ringing, thinking it is school again

[ChristinaR1967 in reply to Aniusia]

He's in high school now and he loves his school and his friends. He doesn't want to be homeschooled now and neither do I, . I want him to experience the social aspects of school and life, as he is nearing adulthood.

[kobi-20]

I feel your pain, going through the same thing with my 15yr old kid. During P/T conferences I had to remind teachers that the lack of focus, motivation, forgetfulness, tardies, & lost homework stems from a neurologicaly based developmental delay not from laziness or not caring. One of the teachers has basically given up on my kid insisting - this is high school! He should do this himself! If he doesn't care I can't (won't ) do anything about it. I am frustrated and dismayed by the utter lack of understanding or empathy. I think every child that gets an adhd diagnosis should automatically be assigned a school advocate, an executive function coach and tutors/homework help before and after school all integrated with the curriculum. And meetings to review progress (parents included of course) at least one a month.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to kobi-20]

I love the way you are thinking. I would also add curriculum support instead of elective, it has really helped our son to have a teacher help him write his assignments down daily, finished assignments he has missed and teach him how to take notes and study skills.

Thank you for your post

[ChristinaR1967 in reply to kobi-20]

I agree,that would be a beautiful thing. These teachers are clueless. Out of my child's 7 teachers this semester, about two really get it and try to help and work with him.

[Lingerly]

Yep. My son is in college and one of his accommodations is a 24-hour extension on assignments. The thing is some professors want advance notice that he'll be using the extension. But he doesn't realize that he'll need it until he's in the middle of completing the work and the deadline is drawing closer! Often, he only needs an extra hour or two. One professor even gave "0" points on late assignments until I informed his academic advisor that I found it appalling that the professor would do this to a student with a disability. She has since intervened to literally go into the course LMS and change the due date on his behalf. Our kids need advocates within the system.

[penn_adhd]

I'm just waiting for that to hit more as mine gets older. My kid is diagnosed and medicated, but they won't give him a 504 plan because they don't think he needs it. Meanwhile I'm the one who has to keep track of when tests are, etc. and they won't even help him remember to write things in his planner.

[penn_adhd in reply to penn_adhd]

There is no intervention specialist at our school anymore. She retired 2 years ago and wasn't replaced.