Any tips on advocating for your child?

[Mama_Bear7]

I think a hard part also has been trying to advocate for my child to the adults, where it might seem as I'm making "excuse" for his "behaviors". How has anyone seemed to overcome or get through to the adults that are around the child, any resources or tips that have worked would be greatly appreciated ! Unfortunately, there's not a lot of resources and knowledge behind ADHD and most adults in this small area seem to think that ADHD is not a real thing and just believe the child chooses to behave impulsively and are just acting bad because we "allow" it.

I will forever advocate for my child regardless but I feel it hard to explain to adults, that truly no child wants to "misbehave" and get in trouble consistently. I also understand that if all the supporting adults are not on the same page on how to deal with the symptoms correctly, we can't expect the child to effectively understand themselves to use the coping techniques.

[Imakecutebabies]

I would like to know the answer to this. My son's principal is convinced that all his behaviors are malicious and is deaf to any explanation I try to give to "excuse his behavior." Last time I tried, he walked out on me...

[TinyDinosaurs]

I'm so sorry. We deal with this too - even family members have been extremely harsh. It's so disheartening.

[Mamamichl]

instead of judging, people should be asking curious questions like “what was going through your head”. When the kid says nothing consistently, their brain acted out of impulse.

Start watching these you tube channels and listen to their audiobooks: how to ADHD (book by same name), there holderness family (book called ADHD is awesome), and adhd_love (their books are dirty laundry and small talk). You can learn so much about what they are going through and how someone close can help support them.

[Mama_Bear7]

Absolutely agree, I've been trying to do more research just for my own knowledge on how I can be a better support for my child. Just trying to protect my child from all the "adults" who lacks the willingness to understand

[JamiHIS Administrator]

Dear Mama_Bear7:

Thanks for contacting CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD. Unfortunately there are still a lot of people who don't believe the science of ADHD. Here are some resources that you might find helpful!

Tips for talking with teachers about your child's ADHD diagnosis: chadd.org/for-parents/tips-...

Also here's a good article on how to navigate talking with those who deny the science behind ADHD: chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-ne...

If you have further questions or need additional resources, please let us know!

Sincerely,

Jami

Health Information Team Manager

CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD

1-866-200-8098 (M-F, 1-5pm eastern)

[Uptowngirl12121]

I just had this conversation - yet again - with two of my son's teachers. One said he was distracting the class and the other was suggesting that he just "acted out" on his own. These kinds of responses indicated to me that they are probably not qualified to accommodate or do not wish to accommodate. Either way we've already switched schools. The new school has much more of a "how can we support your son" attitude.

[SSBGizmo]

Beside the resources offered on CHADD, I have found many resources on ADDitude online website/ magazine. They have a lot of articles and resources with tips/tricks/ideas how to talk and work with teachers/ other educators as a team and educate them about ADHD. There is also so much information on how to work with your child to better manage their ADHD. I emailed an infographic about ADHD that I found on ADDitude to both of my sson’sfirst grade teachers. I think I also need to email it to his outclass teachers, i.e. librarian, music teacher, art teacher, etc. I hope this helps. 😊

[Momwhosdrowning]

the best you can do is to continue to advocate for your child no matter what. I’ve sat during 504 meetings with the vice principal who is also the coordinator and she said “a lot of kids at school have adhd but they know how to control themselves”, so I had to put her in her place and explain not every child with adhd fits under the same umbrella, that’s like saying every child with Austism so the same. You might be “that” parent to staff and administrators but it’s better to be that then to see your child struggle with their mental health. If I didn’t stand firm and advocate for my own child then he would have lost confidence in me as a mom. My son had a hard time expressing himself the way a child who isn’t neurodivergent can and would come off as being rude or disrespectful. I have heard the word “disrespectful “ so many times but I KNOW my child best. Keep up the great work, in the end it will be worth it!