Should I go to the School Board or should I just have a meeting with the principal?

[Jaxmama25]

So the other day I had a phone call with my first Graeter's teacher and we were talking about his meds and how they are working so all year her biggest problem was that he can't stand task in which we all know that that is what comes with ADHD so when she called me the other day she had the same problem he's still not staying on task all year she's told me this and i have told the doctor and the doctor had kept raising his meds and raising in his meds up so when she told me this the other day she had also said maybe you should have his doctor raise his meds up again and at this point I'm feeling like she's not helping him or working with him that she just wants him "drugged up" so that she don't have to deal with it and I'm just wondering for help on what to do here I don't want him to have to be on so much meds and we all know that there is no magic pill out there.

[Pennywink]

Does he have a 504/IEP or any school accommodations in place? If not, that would be my first step. Others here might have a better idea how to get the ball rolling. Sometimes even simple things like a wiggle seat, a stress ball / squishy (these help my son), a seat closer to the teacher, a visual chart of what he should be doing, analog timers, etc can really help out.

I would work with the teacher & maybe the school psychologist before bringing in the principal or school board. Most teachers really do want to help our children - and keeping a positive attitude and open dialogue can go a long way.

If your school allows requests for next years teacher assignment, I would turn one in requesting someone with successful experience teaching children with ADHD. They usually won’t accept requests for specific teachers, just general concerns.

Have you seen improved behavior at home, or has he shown improvement in other ways at school? If not, he could need a medication change instead of increase.

[Jaxmama25 in reply to Pennywink]

Sorry i should have mentioned that he dose have a 504 in place and I went through the list with him and what he supposed to get and found out she is doing nothing on the list and yes at home he is having a lot of improvement

[Onthemove1971]

Since I work in the schools daily I see this happen a lot. A teacher who is not trained and wants to do the best. Also a parent who needs more from the educational setting.

It would be a win-win if he could have tools and techniques to help him. A consult from an Occupational Thearpist would also be a great idea to given proper advice and any tools.

But also, I am not sure what type of medication your child is on. Our's take a medication to help with impulsivity and one to help with focus. If you are not seeing a child psychiatrist they will not know how to manage this. With medication its also about dose, timing and type.

One last thought and I think this is the hardest. Our children are in the system for years and each year we as parents learn more and more about what our child needs. I have decided to start the year with a meeting with ALL teachers so there is no confusion about how smart our child is and that X,Y and Z must be in place for it to be successful. It really takes constant monitoring from us. That not just grades but peer interactions also.

Hope this helps!

[anirush]

An IEP gives you much more control of a what a teacher has to follow in the classroom. He is a boy and he's only in 1st grade. They mature more slowly and medication is not going to control everything.

I have battled schools with my 7th grade grandson for years. He makes good grades and has always passed but he has a lot of trouble with impulsiveness and control. In grade school he always had a seat at the back and was allowed to get up and stand by his chair and move around as long as he stayed in his area. Any kind of achievement tests were always given in the counselor's office where he could have breaks and take his time without distracting other students.

His behavior counselor works in special Ed and she told me that half the time teachers don't take time to read a child's 504 or IEP's so you have to stay on top of it.

[Reeeba1]

Even if she is well meaning it is not up to the teacher to diagnose your son or recommend meds. She is out of her role. I agree with all posters. If you don’t have an IEP get one. Make sure all teachers have info on your child’s condition and needs and if possible google then before the year starts next year and try to choose teachers who have training with ESE education, ADHD, or otherwise have pursued higher studies (masters or at least bachelors in education, active with education groups etc). In my experience these may be the teachers who love what they do, stay current on techniques and may be most well equipped to support your child. There’s no magic formula but it’s a place to start. You can find an awful lot about someone using google Facebook and LinkedIn. I don’t teach but come from a teaching family and have my BS in Education. Good luck!

[Janice_H]

It is not up to the teacher to decide when your son's medications should be raised. It sounds like she does not have much experience working with children with ADHD. Having so much medication in his system will only make him sleepy and lethargic in the classroom. If your son does not have an IEP or 504, contact the principal and request that one be established. You can request certain accommodations such as frequent breaks, longer time to complete assignments, preferential seating, learning in smaller groups, etc.