DS Principal apologized for school, but....

[FINFAN]

Teacher and student services co-ordinator (read couldn't get a job as a REAL psychologist) stand by their statements that DS definitley has ADD and if I as a parent choose to fail him then they will do all they can to handle the situation at school!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! I told the principal that she needed to call Supt. office immediately and inform him of teacher/SSC attitudes, and she did. She also requested that I step out of her office while she "spoke" w/those two. I said , "Take your time...I'll be getting my son from class. He's finished with the school for today." When I returned only principal was in the office and had Supt. on the phone, and currently DS is being moved to another class until I can make other arrangements. I also have approval to move DS to another school of my choice in the district if I choose. I am still reacting to all this as I just got home but wanted to fill you all in as you have been so helpful, supportive and understanding! I can't tell you how much strength you all have given me. I know this class switch is a temporary solution, but hopefully it will be an improvement. I told principal that I expect a letter of aplogy from the school on my sons behalf and that I will be calling a meeting involving everyone to be held B4 x-mas break.
WHEW!!!!!!! What a past coupla days! I'm gonna go and hang w/DS.....fill him in a bit on what going to occur.
Thanks again,
Pam

 

[RitaZ.]

Pam~ I sent you a pm.

 

[Deb in IA]

I must have missed your first post on this subject, so I apologize if this was already discussed.

HOWEVER, you may want to REMIND the teacher/student services coordinator/principal/superintendent that Attention Deficit Disorder with/out Hyperactivity is a MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, and can only be made by a PHYSICIAN.

 

[Kermit]

I agree that none of these people are qualified to tell for sure if your son has ADD. They can probably tell better than the average person on the street, but nothing definite. Didn't you say in an earlier post that you've had him evaluated professionally already? If so, they should accept that diagnosis.

{{{Hugs}}} I hope you get this worked out. Teachers have their hands full these days, and I'm sure that almost all of them try to do their best, but it does sound like this teacher is letting your son down.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I think you're doing a great job of trying to work out this problem Finfan. I really admire the way you have kept your calm and insisted that the school district consider your opinions and wishes.

I hope your son's new teacher is much better prepared to handle his needs.

 

[JAP]

Glad to hear things are changing. I hope everything works out fine before the holiday break.

 

[amid chaos]

This is great news...maybe the new classroom will be a perfect placement for your son....fingers crossed and lots of "you go girl" hugs.

 

[MissMinnie]

I wish you all the best with this. I am currently fighting with my son's school also. My son entered Kindergarten this year and has been having problems. His pediatrician suspected ADHD which was then diagnosed by two different mental health professionals. When I told his teacher what is going on, she had the nerve to suggest I was only looking for an "easy excuse" for his behavior and learning problems and suggested I be more attentive to him! If I was any more attentive and trying to help him, I would have no time for anything else. What does she think I do all day, sit around and file my nails? She apparently feels she is an authority since her son has ADD. After speaking to her further, she admitted her son was not hyperactive, which my son is very hyper and cannot sit still for more than a few seconds, and cannot focus in school. Sorry to go on about this. I know how frustrating it can be dealing with the schools. I have another meeting at the school tomorrow about this. Can't wait to hear what they have to say now.......... I wish you and your son the best and hope that you have found the solution.

 

[TigerBear]

Oh Dr. Deb, I would love to hear you tell Russell Barkley, Ph.D., that he is not qualified to assess ADHD since he is not a physician.

Good luck FINFAN being an advocate for your son. : )

 

[DG-12]

Finfan I can completely understand your frustation... As a teacher I would never assume to give a parent a diagnosis but I have to say a couple of things (please don't take any of this the wrong way)!!! I have a class of thirty students- and for every involved parent like yourself I have ten who are not. I think that maybe teachers might forget that there are still parents who are super involved and aware- and so they try to become too involved or step out of their expertise. (Because so many times they are the only person going to bat for that child) Having taught I feel qualified to ask the school psychologist or special education to come and observe to help me find out the issues with my students. (If I have suspicions I would like to see what someone more qualified thinks as well) I am not defending the teacher- I just am trying to give some perspective on what may be going on (maybe...). If you want some really good information on ADHD or ADD please look at www.clarejones.com. She is from Phoenix and wow! she is just amazing. I went to her conference a couple of weeks ago and I sat there like duh! Why didn't I think of that. She is a nationally renowned expert on ADHD. Hope this helps
Dana

 

[Tuffcookie]

FinFan, I hate it when I come on in the middle of a discussion and haven't a clue as to what's going on. Could you please direct me to the thread that started this? Thanks!

TC

 

[FINFAN]

Hi all! Yes, a small victory for DS, he has proven himself through being tested by both school and private, yet these 2 people insist they are right. I fully appreciate anyone's choice to stand by what they believe to be trye, but in our case facts are speaking louder than anything.
DG-12---How tough a career you have, the pressure I feel molding a human life is huge, let alone 30! I admire your outlook and insight to be an advocate for your students. Heck, I did that w/DS- followed all the schools suggestions, did testing through them etc., but as I found out over time....their instincts were wrong and had zero amount of professionalism. I also believe they completely forgot that this is about an 8 yr old child...and decided to take me on instead. Thanks for the link...even tho DS is ruled out for ADD or ld's I am always interested in learning all I can
Tuffcookie I'll send you a pm
Again thanks everyone, and know tht my support is there for anyone else suffering through any similar nightmare!
Pam

 

[DG-12]

Finfan- you should know that I think you are doing the absolute right thing- and if I were you I would move him out of that room too. I missed the part about the testing- sorry! Your son is very lucky to have such a strong advocate, I wish that all the kids could have someone like you- it would make my job much easier.
I just thought you should know that I think you are doing the right thing- and I would probably be doing the exact same thing if a teacher had treated my child like that (no teacher is qualified to make a diagnosis)
Dana

 

[olena]

I'm glad you got places with this. When I was taking my education classes, I had one professor who made a point of telling us that we weren't psychologists. We aren't trained or educated to diagnose any disorders or disabilities.

I hope your DS will have it much better now.

 

[mom2boys]

Way to go. You are your son's best & most important advocate. Hang tough - I know how draining this can be.

 

[sha_lyn]

It is really sad the that teacher and the co-ordinator can not accept that they are wrong. This is so similar to our story except that it was the principal and vice p were the ones insisting when the Peditrician ruled it out. Some people really have no business teaching. ok I know for every one horrible teacher there are 100 fantastic once, but when it is your child suffering it doesn't matter.

Hoepfully you can find a solution soon. Keep fighting and best of luck.

 

[FINFAN]

Off to get DS settled in his new room....going in 1/2 hour ahead as to give us a little time to get to know new teacher etc. Needless to sat he is a little apprehensive as he only knows how the other teacher was, and his best friend is in old class...but he said that he is glad to be where he won't get told that he is slow and "can't" get things done. Poor little guy...very sensitive...girls, he's gonna make a great husband one day!
Have an awesome day everyone......Pam

 

[patsal]

Pam--what a great parent you are! I am both a parent and a teacher. My DS was tracked wrong for several years. They thought he was a slacker, little did they know that after some auditory testing, he has a hearing problem that stemmed from chidhood allergies. He has a Central Auditory Processing problem and is in speech therapy to pick up all the phonics sounds that he missed when he couldn't hear in the early primary grades. I didn't want to "overstep my boundries" so I just kept working with him at home and after too many years of little progress and his self esteem hitting the floor, I had him tested and insisted that the school run a set of tests as well. Surprise the resuts matched and they tracked him properly this year. For the first time in his life he has a good feeling about school, wants to do his work, his grades are great and I don't fight about school anymore. I believe that he will finish speech therapy before he begins middle school and if things are not going well then, I will transfer him to the district I work for so I can keep a close handle on everything. I have 95 children that I service (remedial reading at the High School Level) and I really only have about 4 parents that care about their kids academics. It is always refreshing to see a parent take the upper hand in a situation. Good luck.
Sal

 

[LvsTnk]

Hope he has a GREAT day today!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by TigerBear
Oh Dr. Deb, I would love to hear you tell Russell Barkley, Ph.D., that he is not qualified to assess ADHD since he is not a physician.

Actually, Tiger, I KNOW Dr. Barkley, and have been a co-participant in several conferences with him.

He is widely acknowleged as an excellent RESEARCHER in the area of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and he has done quite elegant work in the MTA Cooperative Group study.

However, he is NOT a clinician, and does not prescribe medications.