School rec for inattentive type ADD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools would you recommend for a 1st grader with ADD inattentive type? He's also got a slow processing speed but high verbal score on wppsi. We are in a mainstream private, where we had a great experience for Kindergarten but off to a very rocky start in 1st grade. Not clear exactly what's going on but there appears to be significant regression in ability to attend and work independently. And for the first time we are getting reports that he is getting pulled out of class because he is being disruptive--which has never been an issue before. I'm out of my wits with anxiety, and while we are working to figure out what's going on and what we can do about it at the current school I want to consider all my options. Thanks in advance.

OP, I have to agree with the PP who said it is time for meds. My DS was the same way, disruptive in class and always getting in trouble. There was a time when a day did not go by that I did not receive a note or a phone call from school. It was stressing me out big time, more than the demanding job I have. Once the pediatrician got him on the right meds, the impulsive behavior stopped. He went the entire school year last year without a call and may be one minor note about not listening but nothing like before. I also stay connected to the school counselor to ensure he/she is checking in with him and making sure there are no issues going on. Instead of looking at other school options, you should consult with your pediatrician about whether is it time to start you DS on meds. Believe me, it is not going to get better, it will only get worse because your DS cannot control the impulsiveness. And, grounding or punishing your DS is going to make him feel like he is a bad and "stupid" person. Going to another school is not going to change the behavioral issues. And, my DS is at one of the schools named that does not tolerate behavioral issues and for the most part, he has fallen in line because of the strict administration of medication. Good luck.

Agree here.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes 1st grade is a step up academically and reveals additional diagnoses/problems that often go along with ADD/Inattentive -- slow processing, difficulty with executive functioning, and/or dysgraphia. This is what happened for our child. Disruptive behavior was often an attempt to evade certain classroom tasks that were becoming un-doable for DC -- like creative writing or writing in response to reading comprehension. DC was very clever about covering up. It took a lot of my visiting in the classroom under the guise of "volunteering" to figure out what was going on. The teacher was too busy with other kids to follow my kid closely enough to realize what was happening. ADD/Inattentive can also be worse when the child is bright but not receiving challenging work -- more reason to tune out.

I would investigate more thoroughly before just jumping on meds as the magic bullet. (Although I do support meds if needed.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP had some good suggestions. I would also add the Lab School in DC.

Lab won't deal with behavioral issues either.

being disruptive as a first grader does not equate having behavior issues. there is bound to be some fallout for a kid who cannot learn at school.

also, OP, for everyone telling you to medicate, if you do, I would suggest doing behavior therapy in conjunction (or even by itself). even with all these things, the teaching strategies may not work for him. a new environment may still be necessary. good luck.

Lab can pick and choose who they want, whether or not you call in behavioral issues or disruptive behavior.

[Anonymous]

OP, I can't believe all the people telling you to jump to medication. Your son has been in first grade all of a month! It's impossible to know what's going on at this point. I think the first step you should that is call your pediatrician and ask for his/her advice. It might be that your son needs medication. And if that's what it takes for him to be successful in school, then you should do it. However, before jumping on the medication bandwagon, I highly recommend reading Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax and scheduling an appointment with a cognitive behavioral therapist who has a strong background in ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I can't believe all the people telling you to jump to medication. Your son has been in first grade all of a month! It's impossible to know what's going on at this point. I think the first step you should that is call your pediatrician and ask for his/her advice. It might be that your son needs medication. And if that's what it takes for him to be successful in school, then you should do it. However, before jumping on the medication bandwagon, I highly recommend reading Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax and scheduling an appointment with a cognitive behavioral therapist who has a strong background in ADHD.

I agree with this. You said he has a high verbal IQ right? The beginning of the year is review. Once review is over he might pay more attention. What is he doing that is disruptive? Is there a home-school communication system for behavior? Most public schools have this for every child.

I'm not against meds, but the year just started AND he never had the issue before. Try some strategies before meds. Yes, they work wonders for some kids, but there are risks and side effects and it's a process to get to the point of trying meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP had some good suggestions. I would also add the Lab School in DC.

Lab won't deal with behavioral issues either.

being disruptive as a first grader does not equate having behavior issues. there is bound to be some fallout for a kid who cannot learn at school.

also, OP, for everyone telling you to medicate, if you do, I would suggest doing behavior therapy in conjunction (or even by itself). even with all these things, the teaching strategies may not work for him. a new environment may still be necessary. good luck.

Lab can pick and choose who they want, whether or not you call in behavioral issues or disruptive behavior.

Any private school can pick whom they want and pretty much every school SN or not has seen this from kid with LDs or ADHD. Lab does work well for kids with both, so it is still worth the OP considering b/c admissions decisions are based postings to an anonymous message board.

[Anonymous]

I would agree with all PPs. It's so hard to watch your child go through this and find the right path but hang in there and know you are not alone. So many of us have/are going through the same and each year it is a different set of struggles. I would agree that if your child is acting very differently in the classroom and having behavioral issues he has not had before, it could be that classroom environment or teaching methods. Some teachers are better equipped than others...I will say, though that it takes time to adjust from Kindergarten where they are still little to 1st grade, when so much more is expected of them and they are still trying to figure it all out. Keep reassuring him and talking with him and let him know you are there for him no matter what.