Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.

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I may just Home School my 1st grader!!!

calmmom
calmmom
I pulled my son out of school on Monday. I went to give him his afternoon dose of meds because his dose increased and the nurse didn't have the new bottle yet. I got there ten minutes early while he was still eating lunch. I figured I could go say hi and see how his day was going but when I walked up to the table where he was, he was sitting there with his head down while the surrounding boys were talking nasty to him and about him. They were like a pack of wolves toward my 6 year old! I could hear by the things they were saying that his teacher is influencing their thoughts and behavior. I went home and called my husband for advise and then went straight back, filled out a report, and then pulled him out of class!
I've been having so many problems with his teacher. She acts like she doesn't like him or me. I get along with everybody else at the school and it seems like everyone wants to help him succeed except her! I was given the option in a letter to have him considered for a new teacher that the school is getting due to over crowding in the 1st grade classes. The Principal notified me during one of our many conferences last week that he was going to get switched to the new class. I'm excited and worried because he has such a hard time transitioning, plus it could be a few weeks minimum till they start.
brookewilliams02
brookewilliams02
If you have the time to homeschool him and you dont think it would hurt his self esteem by pulling him out of school I would homeschool him. It really cant hurt him anymore than being picked on by those boys. Even if he is switched to a different class those boys will still see him and they have already learned to behave that way toward him and probly wont stop. Its so unfair the way kids treat eachother and how some teachers treat children with ADHD and other things like it. Just give yourself some time to think about it and talk it over with your husband and maybe even ask your son if he would like to be homeschooled and make it seem like its his choice. Good luck
hotmom1
hotmom1
I would have done the same thing. Maybe, when things settle down, you could have a meeting with the school and include the teacher. I would love for you to educate her on ADHD and how her attitude causes pain to your child and a disservice to those other boys who are after all only 6 as well. Kids are not born with empathy, we have to teach it to them. Good luck!
hotmom1
hotmom1
I would have done the same thing. Maybe, when things settle down, you could have a meeting with the school and include the teacher. I would love for you to educate her on ADHD and how her attitude causes pain to your child and a disservice to those other boys who are after all only 6 as well. Kids are not born with empathy, we have to teach it to them. Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
First off, good job being an advocate for your son! I respectfully disagree with homeschooling him. This is extremely difficult to do with a child who is challenging. It's hard on you and on him. If it's something you'd consider, I would just recommend that you really think about it, and not make a snap decision.

That said, I'm so glad you have the option of a new teacher. This might be a good situation to ask for a shortened day to start off with. The teacher will be new, the group of kids new, and your child just might not get his special needs met in the first few weeks of school. So, why not ask if he could go in the morning, eat lunch with his class and then go home for a week. Then maybe stay an hour after lunch for the second week and then on to the regular school day?

Also, I'm sure this new teacher will be crazy-busy, but ask if you can meet with her briefly to discuss your child's needs. I wouldn't "go there" about what happened in the last class. You can simply say something like, "I've noticed that if the teacher is positive about my son, that the other kids are too" or something like that. Say it without really saying it. Does that make sense?

FYI - I have a son who has ADHD and I'm also a former special education teacher who taught many, many kids with ADHD.

Best of luck to you and your son. This just may be his best year yet! ~Running
calmmom
calmmom
I'm still very young to this support group and feel very alone. I am blessed to have the option of home school for my 6 year old son but not without sacrifice! I want to go back to work soo bad! However I havn't even had a second to breath after his start of the school year! We are just above the line for Gov asst. but don't make enough to pay for insurance plus my husband doesn't have coverage at work! I hear all these name brand drugs being talked about in a very scary way (side effect speaking) My boy just started meds in January.( Gen. 4 ridilan) His doctor was going to switch him to adderall 20 mg time release but it will cost us $115.00 @ costco or $185.00 @ wal-mart per month! That's not optional for us right now!
calmmom
calmmom
Thank you all for your feed back so far! It means so much to me that I am not alone and have others to turn to who have so much in common with me. My son means the world to me and he is so incredibly smart and beautiful! It breaks my heart to see how cruel grown people and kids can be.
calmmom
calmmom
I have the forms filled out !!!! Praise the Lord! I spoke with the school today as well. I can have his art, music, and PE provided while home schooling if approoved!