I'm new to this forum and hoping for some advice. My 9 year old son has ADD/Type II (inattentive). He's on Dexedrine and has done fairly well until recently. His IQ is above 140 so he's more than capable. But we're beginning to see grades fall as a direct result of work not being completed &/or turned in. We've purchased a special notebook for him to put all his work in as he completes it and then he is to check that notebook at the beginning of every school day to turn in whatever he's collected. That's helped some. The biggest issue is keeping up with work in class. Any strategies that you've found to be helpful? Any positive reinforcement that have worked for you? I welcome any ideas! I feel like he has so much potential and it's getting lost.

First thing to do is conference with the teacher. A daily student planner is a must. Is kinda like a day planner than an adult would use.... but it's for students. My son (age 10) keeps one on his desk. Thoughout the day he writes down any unfinished classwork as a reminder to him, and then regular homework.

If it's unfinished classwork that he has to bring home... it goes in the planner to be put in his backpack at the end of the day. Any books needed go under the planner. When he gets home... homework is done first. He's able to go down the list in the planner and get everything done. Then like you said... check it off when he turns it in.

Again.. remembering is a big thing. The teacher may have to remind him every day, several times a day for a month till it gets "ingrained" so to speak.

You will definately have to have the teachers help in order for anything to be successful.

Dexedrine... How long has he been on it? I've heard it's possible to build a "resistance" and have to have a higher dosage or change meds altogether.

Have you thought about changing to the new Strattera? It's a new non-narcotic med.

If he's mainly inattentive... Concerta might work well too. My daughter is on it. She's 12. She also uses the planner which is extremely useful since she's now in middle school with SEVEN seperate classrooms.

Ky

Karen is he on a 504 plan or an IEP?

Assuming you are in the United States, your son is eligible under Section 504 to receive accomadations to help him learn. Many students with AD/HD under the section 504 can receive more time assigments and in some case less work may be required.

I'm sure he is very intelligent and "seems" capable of doing the work. He may even be capable but in many case students with AD/HD need to do things differently in order to learn.

Here's link to a site that may be helpful
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/add.index.htm

As somebody who has worked in a classroom, one thing that was very helpful to students with AD/HD was allowing them to take short breaks. Like going to the bathroom or getting a drink. Getting up and moving a round was very helpful to students with both ADHD an ADD.

In many cases the teachers may no be too receptive to the idea but it's something that helps the students.

I found some links that may be of use to you and his teacher.

http://www.addult.org/free_tips.html

http://www.addult.org/ideas_for_managing_from_the_trenches.html

http://www.addult.org/accommodations.html

Again.. it helps to have an educated teacher who is more understanding of how AD/HD works.

Hope this helps...
Ky

hi
My son is almost 9 yrs old and is falling behind in school because he cannot get what he has learned down onto paper, his teacher knows he knows it and so do we. It frustrating for him his teacher and us. I talk with his teacher all the time so we can be of help together. His teacher decided a few weeks ago to try letting him use the computer in the class to do his work on and now he flies through it its amazing the defference in him. I an going to speak to his headmaster soon about my son bringing in a lap top to use so the other kids can use the school computer, and wont resent my son hopefully for the amount of time he is on it. I hope i have made sense. We are also in the process of getting my son statemented in school im not sure what u call it in the states, it means if it all goes through he will get his own classroom assistant who with follow him through school until he is leaving age.
irish_lady4

Another good resource for parents and teachers on ADD strategies for school is http://www.addinschool.com/

Thanks big I have taken a look at that site and it looks great!!
I am going to give the site to Jacks school teacher as well. thanks alot
Lynne

You're welcome, Lynne :)

huggssssss all

I am just back from talking to Jacks teacher this morning,which wasnt good. He has just in the past 2 weeks started talking back to her, being cheeky, hiding his work and putting it under other peoples desks. He doesnt disrupt his whole class but he does disrupt the kids around him, he wont do as he is told. This is very unusual for Jack she has never seen this side of him before and she has been his teacher for 2 years now, I really didnt know what to say to her or how to handle this at all, I could use a few ideas from anyone who has been through this with there child, he is almost 9 yrs old.
thanks irish_lady4(Lynne)