iPad as Reward for ADHD Kids in Inclusion Class

[Anonymous]

I was just been made aware by my son that he and three other “bad” kids in class are rewarded for good behavior in his inclusion class with game playing in back corner of room. I don’t know if my head is exploding because the pullout of small groups that he loved last year have been cancelled since the school did not want kids to feel different. Now the class believes that these kids are “bad” and they get rewarded if they behave. By the way - at the IEP meeting two weeks ago there was no mention of this and the teachers said he was doing great in the classroom and he was a very sweet kid with a lot of energy. My son used the word “bad”.

My son loves games on the iPad. I hate them. By the way it is second grade. The 4 rewarded boys have varying degrees of ADHD.

Am I blowing this out of proportion???? I think I would be OK for a rewards system that was not so obvious and had I been asked about how much screen time I would agree with in second grade!!!

[Anonymous]

"Kids feeling different" is not a legitimate reason to end small group pullouts, if small group instruction is what is needed to teach certain students.

I would ask for a meeting with the teacher and see what she says. It is possible that you are not getting the complete story from your son; he is still quite young.

Also wondering how you know the diagnoses of the other children?

[Anonymous]

I was actually made aware of it by another mother who volunteers in the class. I asked my son about it, so I am fairly sure it is true. Also, I know from conversations from the mothers of the boys in recent months.

[Anonymous]

Games on the iPad are like heroin to the ADHD brain.

WTF are they thinking??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Games on the iPad are like heroin to the ADHD brain.

WTF are they thinking??

In MCPS, this is a pretty standard “break” or award written into IEPs.

[Anonymous]

Our IEP has movement breaks for second grade which seems more appropriate than iPad breaks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Games on the iPad are like heroin to the ADHD brain.

WTF are they thinking??

In MCPS, this is a pretty standard “break” or award written into IEPs.

DS is in the MCPS Asbergers program.. The kids have to earn a certain number of points daily and then they are rewarded with choice time. Choice time includes using the sensory table, puzzles, reading, or playing with other toys in the room. For excellent behaviors, he earns extra points. Computer time during choice time costs extra and can only be redeemed once a week. He can play academic games if he redeems his extra points. There is no iPad reward in his IEP.

My kid loves his iPad. If other kids were offered that as a reward, I’m sure I’d hear about how unfair it is that Larlo gets to play on the iPad and he doesn’t. I’m guessing that the iPad is not used as a reward in his class.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to figure out some other rewards system that you approve of that actually works to support your son's behaving appropriately during class time, and then propose that to the teacher. I highly doubt that she'd have a problem with it if you had an alternative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Games on the iPad are like heroin to the ADHD brain.

WTF are they thinking??

In MCPS, this is a pretty standard “break” or award written into IEPs.

Also a reward in my kid's SN private classroom but the time is pretty short.

[Anonymous]

No, you are not blowing it out of proportion. MCPS is pretty standard for dumping the kids on Chrome books SN or not so the kids rush through the work so they can play games. Its pretty sad. I would say something.

[Anonymous]

You are blowing this out of proportion. This is called positive reinforcement for good behavior.
I can't imagine they are singling out the "bad" kids or use that language. They are doing this for the children on a behavior plan and this is widely done and often very effective.

Usually the iPad time is chosen by the children as their reward. You can suggest your child choose something else like a reward at home if you like. My child was on a behavior plan for a short time and it worked really well. He is now able to do well without a behavior plan.

[Anonymous]

There are several kids on behavior plans my DC's class and they get rewards at the end of the day. It works! Last year some of these children were punished by getting time outs and things got worse. This year they look forward to their reward which is Chromebook time. Discuss it with the teacher if you don't think it's appropriate for your child.

[Anonymous]

OP - Thank you for your views on it. After sleeping on it, I agree my first reaction was overreacting about the reward system. With the chaos in the class, if 3 minutes is something my son strives to earn, I am fine. I have reached out to the teacher it is truly only 3 minutes, though

She has her hands full and I would never want her job!!!

[Anonymous]

OP - Thank you for your views on it. After sleeping on it, I agree my first reaction was overreacting about the reward system. With the chaos in the class, if 3 minutes is something my son strives to earn, I am fine. I have reached out to the teacher to confirm it is truly only 3 minutes, though

She has her hands full and I would never want her job!!!