Middle school question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you. Should I get him a smartwatch(suggestion?) to tell time and set tons of alarms to remind him to go to different classes? He has ADHD. He is forgetful, and I probably will ask him to carry his backpack (with all he needs inside) everywhere. Do they have a homeroom? Or else he may have to carry backpack/water bottle everywhere to lunch, gym or restroom if there's no locker or homeroom?

Most middle schools will not allow a backpack to be carried throughout the day. Backpacks stay in the locker and kids carry binders for the most part. Big zippable folders that hold many subjects.

The bell rings at the beginning and end of each class to let kids know when to move to the next one.

Hardest part for our kid with executive functioning was understanding how to turn everything in with so many different teachers with different styles and also remembering to turn the assignments in.

Check out the special needs board on DCUM and post. People will have advice there as well.

6th grade was a tough transition, but the administration is helping all 6th graders get settled in to a new routine. But yes, try to get a 504 or IEP in place for extra support.

Second hardest thing is dealing with the horrible rule about no backpacks. The binder they have will “explode” 20 times a week and cause massive disruptions

Wouldn't it be great if they taught organization and study skills.to the kids beginning in middle school? At the e d of the week, evaluate if the material should be kept for a test or paper or it can be thrown away. For all the programs they waste time on, it seems how to be a successful student might have room in there somewhere

This is really what they should be doing with the advisory period that they have 3 times a week (not sure if that is standard, or just at my DC's school). They don't, though, so I end up doing this with my kid each week. DC is getting better at it over time, but won't do it unless prompted.

[Anonymous]

Include large assignments to be chunked- broken down into smaller assignments

Allow for extra time (not sure why others don't want this, ours needs it)

You can choose for one of the electives to be a resource class, where the kids do homework and can get help from teachers, but we've found this to be more for kids with processing issues than ADHD.

We were told organization skills were taught in grade 3 (when our kid didn't need them), and not later. In 6th, we got a once a week Exec Function coach who worked with him through HS. Not covered by insurance and not cheap, but worth it if you are able to throw $$ at the problem. They help your kid manage assignments, teach them org skills (mine has a folder for each class, each a different color, one side assignments that need to be turned in, the other for things that the class is done with). Ask the school counselor for names, ask your friends (you might be surprised at who else uses EF coaches), ask on your school list serv.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has executive functioning problem, lost track of time, and forget things. May I ask do 6th graders have to select their own classes ( different schedule for every kids), stores things in locker, go to different classrooms for different subjects? Do all these start n middle school or high school?

Yes, this is the MS experience unless your child is in self-contained special ed. A private school might be the best alternative if you feel your child is not ready yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Include large assignments to be chunked- broken down into smaller assignments

Allow for extra time (not sure why others don't want this, ours needs it)

You can choose for one of the electives to be a resource class, where the kids do homework and can get help from teachers, but we've found this to be more for kids with processing issues than ADHD.

We were told organization skills were taught in grade 3 (when our kid didn't need them), and not later. In 6th, we got a once a week Exec Function coach who worked with him through HS. Not covered by insurance and not cheap, but worth it if you are able to throw $$ at the problem. They help your kid manage assignments, teach them org skills (mine has a folder for each class, each a different color, one side assignments that need to be turned in, the other for things that the class is done with). Ask the school counselor for names, ask your friends (you might be surprised at who else uses EF coaches), ask on your school list serv.

Resource is only available for an IEP. There are limited sections. If it gets too large, it’s not effective.