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Every morning I wake up with a head full of things to do. I scramble around trying to put them in lists of importance all while trying to keep the peace within my little brood (trying to recall everything I've learned and read about parenting at the same time.) I love being a wife and the quirks that come with having my man forever. I love to be creative and thrive on crossing off my to do list. I strive to find balance and put first things first which brings me PEACE & JOY and allows me to sleep so much easier when I do. I think that one of the secrets to being HAPPY in life is to find that balance. I'm learning how to be kinder to myself and learning patience in progress. Everyday, through the thick and thin of life I'm trying to turn my heart towards heaven and remember what's really important.Oh, and I love to eat, so much so that I love to exercise too.

1.28.2011

ADHD: A Disorder or a Difference?


My oldest son.
 
Creative.
Tenderhearted. 
Handsome.
Thoughtful.
A Bookworm.
Brilliant.
Artistic.
Impulsive.

I'm trying to figure him out.
How to work with the label ADHD.
I think he needs coaching.
I think he needs consistence.
I think he needs positive reinforcement.
I need to be his advocate.
 I need to be more patient.
He DOES NOT need medication.
5th grade now.
Middle school next year.
Is he ready?
We have some skills to work on.

For anyone out there dealing with the ADHD label, I recommend.
 
 


There is also so many blogs and information online to educate and inspire.  I'm trying to understand and coach my child instead of fixing them.  Its making a huge difference with his attitude and self-esteem.
 
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4 comments:

  1. Of course, it is totally yours and Jeff's business and no one else's, but from my perspective of 4 years teaching high school: don't let any of those teachers or counselors push you to do anything for your son because they are labeling him or putting him in a category. The best way to decide for yourself is with GOOD testing. A lot of the generic tests are so lame, and don't give accurate information. Listen to your own heart, and then pay attention as he goes into middle school and high school to what the good teachers say about his work. Read what he writes, listen to how he thinks/talks of course.

    But yeah, don't let anyone push you around or assume they know what is best for your son. Counselors and teachers are so eager to put individual students into a category; it is a major flaw in the system.

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  2. I would love to talk to you about this. I'm in the middle of a changing my previous thoughts about ADHD. We can't all think the same. We're not droids.

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  3. I have taught countless students who were tested and determined to be ADHD and they did really well in my class. Good teachers should be able to address many different learning styles. Bad teachers though, will say "well, the student has ADHD and so he/she should be happy with a C average." That just isn't the case. ADHD students can get straight A's too. Teachers are accountable to their students--it is their job to help them learn. The flaw in our system is that there are obviously some really good teachers who work hard at their jobs, but also some really pathetically lazy ones. You can tell immediately who is who within the first week (I can talk to you about it if you want) and if I have a child with ADHD, I am going to make sure he/she gets the good ones.

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  4. Kim, you and I have talked about this several times. It is hard to KNOW what to do.

    Madeline is STRUGGLING in school academically, but really thrives in the social aspect. Her grade point couldn't really get any lower right now, and she is failing a few classes. As a Sophomore, this really affects whether or not she will actually graduate. I'm not sure what to do. The school doesn't seem too concerned about her. They are happy to let her fail.

    I will need to get serious about demanding some help for her, plus, I'm going to take her to a doctor to get a better diagnosis, and look into medication.

    I don't know what else to do.
    It's so hard having a child who is just on the fringe of learning disabled. They fall through the cracks.

    ReplyDelete

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