Seeking a Professional-Someone

[simonesilverstein]

Hello, I'm helping a friend who is suffering from too many incidents of her child with ADHD in school. He started medication towards the end of the summer. He's now in Kindergarten.

He has an IEP. She's getting calls daily with issues like hitting, pushing, scratching, punching, etc.

I'd like to help her find a therapist or advocate she can work with (and he can work with) to help their family navigate this journey. I'm doing my best, from some experience with my son, but I feel she needs someone to turn to who can guide her even further.

Does this type of professional exist? Is it a therapist for her son or her?

I know about CHADD, which is a great organization, but navigating their site is a bit overwhelming.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, kindly! Simone

[lucybow]

Hi there,

I’m sorry about what’s happening with your friend’s son with ADHD. Schools districts have a terrible time accurately assessing, placing and serving the neurodivergent population as the school model is built for neurotypical children.

Medication can be key in the treatment of ADHD so I’m glad your friend has started that process. I’m also glad to hear that he has an IEP which means the school district has a clear picture of his strengths and needs, as well as his behaviors.

When I heard you mention that the school calls daily with issues like hitting, pushing, scratching, punching, I wonder if your friend’s child needs a school behavior support plan also called a functional behavior plan (FBA), as his behaviors should be included in his IEP if they disrupt the student’s learning or the learning of others .

if you look in the CHADD directory, there’s a list of ADHD coaches who can help your friend and her son. Seriously, reaching out for help is the biggest step you can take. Well done!

-Lucinda

[simonesilverstein in reply to lucybow]

Thank you so much!

[heidiak]

lucybow is correct. I will try to spare you my opinions about how often children with ADHD are misunderstood and led to believe they are at fault for their behavior.... It is so kind that you want to support your friend, this will be a huge help for her to have someone in her corner that is willing to educate themselves and help out. IEP advocates exist and can be helpful in that process. Therapy may help in building expectations and would be a nice support for any parent. In the long run practice with executive function skills is key for the child, that and alot of compassion. Kids with low dopamine also need alot of reward built into their process and that is not always available at school. Resources will depend greatly on where you live.

Here are some resources that helped me in the beginning and are still helping....

understood.org/

adhddude.com/

additudemag.com/category/pa...

Beautifully Complex podcast

caitlingreermeister on instagram

Best of luck to you and your friend!

-H

[simonesilverstein in reply to heidiak]

Thank you! These resources are helpful!!

[Onthemove1971]

It is wonderful that you can assist your friend. When medication is at its best, it should stop 60% of unwanted behavior. So maybe they can work with their provider to adjust things so it is a better type, dose and or different timing( like maz benwfit at school). She could ask for him to see a specialist at school to help him with his behavior. This would not be from the classroom teacher, but a specialist.

In addition your friend should set up a meeting with the teacher to review the IEP and talk about both his strengths and areas he needs help with.

If all that is done and there are still problems, you could have her consider going back to the person that gave him the diagnosis and asking if there is more testing that could help answer why he is still struggling.

She could also consider a different type of classroom to better helps him, with maybe less kids and more support.

I remember how important exercise was at this age for our son, especially before bed time.

Hope this helps.