ADHD kid - school without walls

[Anonymous]

Any success stories?

My inattentive ADHD kid just doesn’t process as quickly as many. Doesn’t need extra time for written work, but speaking on the fly on complex subjects and keeping up in fast paced conversations with more than 1-2 others can be tough. He has an amazing memory and vocabulary though, and math skills are — shockingly, to me — top notch; they’re just not “fast.”

[Anonymous]

So how does this show up? He doesn't participate in class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So how does this show up? He doesn't participate in class?

From all that I hear, he does have creative ideas and solid answers to share but he needs a moment (or 2 or 3) to formulate his words vs the kids who can just blurt things out.

[Anonymous]

It's really hard to tell this far in advance, but from what you've said I bet he will be fine by the time he gets to high school if he is able to get in. If he will not be able to keep up in class discussions, that will show in the interview.

[Anonymous]

My kid just started 9th at Walls, and his ADHD manifests differently (okay with fast-paced conversations but sometimes needs extra time), but FWIW:

I was shocked that he got in, fully expected him to opt for his feeder school instead, and wouldn't have been surprised if he found Walls overwhelming, but so far he's been able to keep up. His peers seem pretty supportive (e.g., reminding each other about due dates), and the administration makes it a priority to provide and promote as much support as kids might need. And while the recent parent-teacher conferences confirmed our suspicion that his teachers had no idea about his 504 plan, once we mentioned it, they seemed totally open to providing accommodations when needed.

All this to say that I agree 100% with the PP: if your child gets in, he will be sufficiently supported.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really hard to tell this far in advance, but from what you've said I bet he will be fine by the time he gets to high school if he is able to get in. If he will not be able to keep up in class discussions, that will show in the interview.

Thank. I hope things will even out a bit by high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just started 9th at Walls, and his ADHD manifests differently (okay with fast-paced conversations but sometimes needs extra time), but FWIW:

I was shocked that he got in, fully expected him to opt for his feeder school instead, and wouldn't have been surprised if he found Walls overwhelming, but so far he's been able to keep up. His peers seem pretty supportive (e.g., reminding each other about due dates), and the administration makes it a priority to provide and promote as much support as kids might need. And while the recent parent-teacher conferences confirmed our suspicion that his teachers had no idea about his 504 plan, once we mentioned it, they seemed totally open to providing accommodations when needed.

All this to say that I agree 100% with the PP: if your child gets in, he will be sufficiently supported.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Thank you. Definitely helpful!

[Anonymous]

Does he have a 504 that gives wait time and whatever other accommodations he needs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So how does this show up? He doesn't participate in class?

Usually it means a teacher being like "Johnny, you'll be up after Larla" so he has time to prep an answer in his head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how does this show up? He doesn't participate in class?

From all that I hear, he does have creative ideas and solid answers to share but he needs a moment (or 2 or 3) to formulate his words vs the kids who can just blurt things out.

It sounds like your kid is NT.

[Anonymous]

My DS with ADHD graduated a few years ago-- but in our experience as long as your child has a 504 plan, they'll be fine. The school was good at enforcing the plan stipulations (even when it took some work with some of the teachers).