No More Pencils No More Books No More ADHD… Stuff

Today I am grateful for no more late nights and homework meltdowns.

My 12 year old has ADHD. I know, I know. For some of you the verdict may still be out regarding whether or not ADHD is real. I bet tomorrow’s Ritalin that somebody is thinking I medicate my Son so he is easier to deal with. “He’s just a kid,” someone may say. All kids get distracted. Distracted yes, unable to focus from the beginning of the teacher’s sentence to the end, not the norm. Without constant prompts to my Son and communication with the teachers my Son would not be able to pass any grade, regardless of his age or how darn intelligent he is. Believe it or don’t. I’m really just here to celebrate NO MORE HOMEWORK! Yippeeeeee!

Here’s the thing about my Son. He is smart. He loves school and is crazy about his teachers. He comes home every day and talks about the cool stuff he learned in Science class and Social Studies. He reads a 300 page book in a matter of days and yes he comprehends it. I know because he tells me the story in l o n g and d r a w n o u t detail. (get my drift?) So what’s the problem? Without accommodation in class he flunks his tests because he can’t stay focused to finish it or gets overwhelmed by long questions or too many problems squeezed together. He also doesn’t turn in his homework assignments.

When I pick him up from school he is all smiles and reports having a great day. The minute he remembers he has homework to do he gets all rigid and grouchy if there is work to do in more than one class. It might just be finishing one math problem but he gets stressed out at the thought of multiple projects. The stress presents itself at each individual assignment too. Too many math problems on a page will set him into tears even if they are simple addition. He sees “no end in sight”. We picked up the trick of covering up some of the problems so he only sees a few at a time and he became a new kid.

That simple strategy of exposing only a few problems at a time made such a difference in doing his math homework that it is inspiring to adopt other strategies to help him succeed all around. Notice I said, “Help him succeed”. My enthusiasm for “support” and “strategies” is often criticized as “hand holding”. I am told that in the middle school he should be functioning on his own. I struggled with the school and the teachers all year long just to hold open the lines of communication so that I could make sure on my end that things were getting done and turned in.

I really don’t know where the line is drawn between requesting what is appropriate for an ADHD student and asking for special treatment. But I am actually ticked at myself for not putting more help in place from the first day of school and being more proactive in maintaining consistency of implementation, but next year will be different. I am seeking counsel from those experienced in ADHD in the classroom and exploring his rights as an ADHD student. Yes I am very busy getting ready for next year. And enjoying every evening WITHOUT homework!

Is there anybody out there struggling with homework and attitude from school? Do you have any good classroom strategies to share? I will be posting about strategies in the classroom as the new school year approaches and I will include your tips!