Parents of ADHD kids... need advice
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Anonymous
| OP here: PP, Your post is really helpful. The school we are zoned for is a k-2 school that is overcrowded so I pretty much know that classes have 25-28 kids in them (my older son goes there). But you bring up something that makes a lot of sense...maybe the size of the class wouldn't really matter if he is not on meds. We are getting closer to thinking about starting them... do kids start at like 6? Of course, it makes us nervous to try meds, but so many people say it helps. There are many experienced Kindergarten teachers (in MOCO), but we would really want to specify that we want an experienced teacher with active boys, ADHD etc. Our son also seems to have difficulty understanding boundaries and authority. He is a leader in a way, but also will do anything to act funny (trying to please kids and will ignore teacher's comments to stop-- at least we have experienced this in preschool). He also seems to have some social anxiety with breaking into new situations with new kids. But I guess in kindergarten, everyone is new. If we do public school, we are just really hoping that it is not a negative experience that will take a toll on an already crumbling self-esteem. If you could do it again, would you try meds before starting kindergarten? Honestly, the only reason we would do private school would be to: 1) have a small class size and student teacher ratio 2) To get extra attention/understanding... but who knows?! |
Anonymous
| No, I'm glad we waited to see how he did without them. It made us more sure of our decision when the time came. Kids start meds at all different ages. For some with milder cases, they are able to make it to second or third grade, especially if they just have the inattentive subtype. But with the combined subtype, as our son has, my feeling is that the impulsivity is really difficult to address without meds. We've done behavior therapy and he goes to OT once a week. I think the OT has helped with motor planning a little, but I don't think the therapy did much. His teacher was willing to try pretty much anything and everything...and we did. Behavior contracts, Weighted vest, fidget toys, special seat cushions, etc. it's hard at this age...as they get older, you can implement things like chunking assignments, additional time on tests, even getting a scribe for writing assignments. But none of that is relevant in kindergarten, it's much more about the behavioral/social component. Do you see anyone (psychologist, dev. ped)? If so, what do they say about meds? We had two different professionals -- the psychologist leading his therapy group and his dev. ped. both suggest that it might be time to consider meds., so we felt pretty confident we weren't jumping the gun. |
Anonymous
| We need to check back in with the developmental ped and we are starting back in private therapy (parental and play tx) after a hiatus (when he was having an easier time). So no one has suggested anything yet. We are also wondering if we should look into a social skills group, but we would want it to be with similar kinds of kids... not sure if it's worth it. Was that what you mean re: therapy group? |
Anonymous
| Our 8 yr old has ADHD combined subtype. He's at a DC public school. He continues to be happy there. His kindergarten teacher was very strict and used a lot of movement when teaching. The kids would curl up like ballad when counting backwards and blast off at zero. We started meds this year. First and 2nd grade were harder than K. Greater expectations for independent work and more writing. A challenge has been that because he has very strong speech teachers see his average or below work as laziness. The 504 plan has helped and meds have helped his concentration and writing. |
Anonymous
Yes, it was a cognitive behavior therapy/social skills group. Honestly, i think the therapy might have better result now that he's on meds because he is calmer and better able to listen and absorb. Something to think about. |
Anonymous
I'm the pp who commented these two schools. We actually didn't feel that McLean fit that well. They both do have ADHD kids there. My DC does not need speech, OT nor is he on the ADS spectrum. Meds also make a huge difference for my child. We started a few months ago, and it's been remarkable for everyone involved. Maybe public school with meds, if you are williing to go that route would work. We looked a public and private so that would have options. We have decided on private, but are still undecided. It's a tough choice for us. |
Anonymous
Maddux is a SN school. Mclean is not but I've known parents whose kids have gone there who have certain issues like ADHD. So it may be more accommodating than other privates. |
Anonymous
| Social skill groups for ADHD seem like it's so dependent on WHO the peers are in the group. What kinds of experiences have people had with ADHD social skill groups? I have heard that Alvord/Baker and JSS (sp?) have groups... |
Anonymous
Maddux is not a special needs school. It is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education. They provide a state approved non special ed program. They do offer supports such as OT and ST for those who need them. This school often gets confused as special ed, b/c it's housed in the same location as Ivymount, which is special ed. You may want to check out the Maddux school website. My DC would need the assistance they provide (built in) with social pragmatics and self regulation--which is often an issue for ADHD kids. |
Anonymous
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My DD has ADHD and, now that she has a diagnosis, treatment and 504 plan, is doing really well in MCPS elementary.
I don't think the class sizes are really the issue, as long as the teacher has good classroom management. |
Anonymous
Do you mind me asking the age of your daughter and what is included in her 504? How is she accomodated? Is she learning just fine? Thx. |
Anonymous
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My ADHD son is in public school in Arlington and we couldn't be happier. The teachers and administration are VERY well educated about ADHD and have been incredibly collaborative and supportive. I recommend the book Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD by Peter Jensen as a starting point for thinking about how to work with the school to get your child the support he needs. So my advice would be to give your public school a chance--you might be pleasantly surprised.
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Anonymous
How can you say Maddux is not a special needs school? Many SN schools are accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education. That makes them eligible for nonpublic placements if the school district cannnot meet the child's needs within their ouw schools and special programs. Built-in assistance for social pragmatics and self regulation makes it a school for children who struggle with those issues, therefore making them children with special needs. Are you worried about your child being labeled as special needs? |
Anonymous
| My experience is similar to 21:58. We knew our oldest DS had some issues when he started K, we just didn't know it was ADHD. The school paired him with an excellent kindergarten teacher who was really able to give us and the developmental pediatrician excellent feedback. Even before DS received his diagnosis, the school's approach was incredibly appropriate. DS is now in 3rd grade, has an IEP and great care is taken in selecting his teacher. We've been very impressed. Before you go the private route, you should consider giving public a try. |
Anonymous
I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure which schools the PP would categorize as SN then, but here is Maddux on the list for the exceptional schools fair, so it's pretty safe to say, it's SN: http://exceptionalschoolsfair.com/About.html |