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Reply to "Increasing ADHD child's academic motivation?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. I probably should not have said there's grade "inflation," but rather that her school-- a progressive pre-k-8-- definitely does not make test scores the primary determinant of grades. They count group work, homework, participation, progress, cooperation and a zillion other things, so a child can perform poorly on tests but still do okay. She loves her teachers and loves her friends, but I do sometimes wonder if in some ways a more "traditional" and structured school would be better for her.[/quote]

Most schools count things like HW, participation towards grades. However a school that has a child who is performing poorly on tests and still doing well in the class is a problem. That gives the child very little incentive to really study and may also mask a problem in understanding the material. Going forward, what if you end up in a school that doesn't do this type of grading? Could be a real shock to your daughter.

I do agree that motivation is also part of someone's makeup but you do need to consider how the environment affects that makeup.[/quote]

As a parent of a 10 year old DS with both ADHD and LDs, I have to disagree with a lot that's been said here.  ADHD definitely involves motivation issues -- focus, persistence, attention for things that do not intrinsically interest you.  DS is doing very well in the classroom in certain classes (5th grade) but abysmally on tests.  He has an IEP and his overall grades in some of these classes are good.  There could be a lot of issues with a child who performs well in class versus on a test, including LDs and even anxiety.  DS has a writing disability and tested borderline for reading dyslexia.  On a test, the formatting can make all the difference for a child with various types of LDs -- we have seen this first-hand.

At the same time, I do think a lot of kids with this type of profile benefit from a mix of encouragement and some tough love -- "Johnny, I see how well you demonstrate knowledge and enthusiasm in class.  I know you can do well on the test and I'm rooting for you/Johnny, I see how well you do in class.  You need to really apply yourself and work hard when you're taking a test."  We know from experience at this point that, at least in DS's case, he benefits from this mix and problems really crop up in classes where teachers do not push/encourage him more.  He's in a public school so we're aware of the limits as to teacher availability but those who've taken a bit of time to do this have really made a difference.[/quote]

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