OK your AD/H/D and your teacher doesnt know, he/she just thinks that you are a joker who likes to annoy the teacher, how do you tell the teacher, 'hey i dont give a rats *** about making people laugh when i say 'i didnt get it' or 'what did you say' its not my fault! but in a nicer way...

(maybe we can make a new topic if i get enough replys and we can get it sticky'd like the homework and the 12 things... topics)

So far i have:


1. Confront the teacher(s) while alone or with as few people as possible as not to embarrase and/or to make sure you are able to get the teachers full attention and/or and you are able to completely explain your situation to your teacher.

2. Make sure you explain to the teacher this is NOT a way to get 'simpathy points' and/or a way to 'slack off', but rather you are sereouse about your ADD and

3. You do not like it when (or take kindly to) people who make fun or point out your condition infront of other people. But rather try to help me with the problems i am facing at the time, or explain them to me better 1 on 1.

1. arrange to meet with the teacher (one on one) and tell him/her that you are ADHD and explain the difficulties you have due to the ADHD

2. explain that when you say "I don't get it" it's because you truly don't understand, that you're not just joking around

3. Have a list handy on what the teacher could do to help you out and ask if the teacher is willing to accomodate

'hey i dont give a rats *** about making people laugh when i say 'i didnt get it' or 'what did you say' its not my fault!"I don't get it" isn't very specific. How about asking a question about what you don't "get"? Meds help with school.

I would take a very mature approach to this. I don't know how old u are, but regardless u are a student in school. U I am sure like most other students in school dislike being there.

From my experiences with school and students when kids don't understand something they do one of two things.

Sit quietly and try to hide from the teacher. They don't wish to be called upon or pointed out as not understanding.

The other group does as it sounds u do. U make the group laugh and try to again hide the fact that u don't understand. The botttom line is no one wants to look weak infront of their peers.

I would def take your teacher aside. Go into their office or somewhere alone after your class. What i have found works is to start with a joke.

I personally have a lot of trouble talking to my teachers/professors about my LD/ADD in person. I am one of those people that doesn't like to show my weakness and ask for help. What works best for me to to email my profs/teachers about my LD/ADD. I know it may sound cowardly, but if that is the only way that u can communicate what is going on with u, then by all means do it!

That teacher will have more respect for u once u go to them and tell them what is going on with u. Just the fact taht u can truly admit u don't get the info is a realistic way shows u really care about your future.

This is just my two cents, but its what has worked for me. Hope it helps!

If you were the teacher, what would you need to hear to make you want to meet your student's ADHD needs?

good point queens girl...
the thing is i feel as if im not treated fairly about my LD, i was taking a test and was working constantly with the occasional disruption of thought but i quickly got back to the test, the bell rings for next period, and i have half of my test left to finish, and i go to the teacher and ask her when i can finish it and she said you caint you must finish it during class (but she said it in a way as if i was a bad kid refusing to do my test, and just trying to make her mad) but i feel cheated out of an easy 80 or 90 on a test in a classs where i really need thast good grade instead im gonna get a 40 (if im lucky) but i most deffinetally need to talk to her, i am going to get an (emergency) meeting set up where i can talk with a guidance counselor or who ever will mess with the whole modifications on test thing (which i know someone who isnt assigned to me but if i need to i will talk with him about it to try to speed things up with me getting a meeting set up)

but i will go talk to her 1st thing in the morning tomorrow

Whoa...as a high school spec ed teacher(in TX) who has ADD inattentive and 3 children with ADD I can tell you that you should be getting time accomodations for testing if you need it and possibly a quiet testing area. you need to talk with yur school counselor and make sure you have a 504 plan in place if you are not getting special education services (you may not qualify for them).

To get 504 accomodations you need to have a dissability that severely impacts at least one life function...learning qualifies you. 504 is a federal civil rights law and though it may take having you diagnosis from the doctor sent to the school and a meeting of parents and teachers accomadations( extended time and reduced writing lengths) are available and enforceable. You also need to be using them the last several years of high school to recieve them for college. Some colleges will require current psychological testing to provide a full spectrum of accomodations such as note taking assistance of tutorial services, and you extended time for SAT or ACT without current testing and the accomodations being used on a regular basis in high school. These may or may not affect your TAKS testing since it is an untimed test, but you may be able to take it in a small group setting with fewer distractions.

Talk to your councelor about what the proceedure is at your school. It should not take long to set up a 504 plan as long as your diagnosis is current and you are under a
doctor's care.

You might have to push for a 504-there is no funding for them compared to and IEP-and some schools don't like them-but it is your right! As a teacher in a reg ed classroom, accommodating students is not that hard! The 504 gives you proof and documentation for college too! As Jaycee stated, some disabilities don't require services from the school, but do require accommodations. Sounds weird, but google the the two things and look at them with your parents!

Most teachers are glad to help a student who asks for help! So few do! If you get negativity or refusal-tell your parents, go to the department head, then the principal, superintendent, and finally the school board if needed. This only happens in rare cases! You should have no problems in the vast majority of school districts.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/ Good Resource for info

A 504 explanation from the site-includes a link to IDEA so you can compare!

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. The child may receive accommodations and modifications.

Unlike the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/index.htm), Section 504 does not require the school to provide an individualized educational program (IEP) that is designed to meet the child's unique needs and provides the child with educational benefit. Fewer procedural safeguards are available for disabled children and their parents under Section 504 than under IDEA.

Hope things go well for you! Glad to see you taking the initiative!
RADD

Talk to your councelor about what the proceedure is at your school. It should not take long to set up a 504 plan as long as your diagnosis is current and you are under a
doctor's care.thats the thing i did i was suppose to get a meeting wiht her 6-weeks into school (didnt happen), i even signed up to see her about the 6-7th week (never saw her) i even had my parents GO to the school and talk to her in person (she wasnt there), they left a note for her (she accually called back), suppose to call again to see about what kind of accomidations might be needed (well... its been a week and ofcourse nothing...) im starting to get mad. i feel like im being mistreated.



and RADDmom inorder to get these accomidations you must talk with the counselor, and as you can see she has yet to talk to me, what can i do? the school is 5-A in texas hter are way to many students for this one counselor to take all day to talk with me about my 'disability' should i jsut walk into her office and start demanding things, i feel helpless. (and perents arent helping too much there like jsut give her time, your not failing so what the big deal (although im barely passing)

Read through the website link-it tells you step by step what to do! I was really impressed with it. And it tells you how to documant it! YOu may have to go to the principal and on up the ladder of authority, but read the website first, it will save you a lot of time, trouble, and grief, plus, you will be able to get the help you need! http://www.wrightslaw.com/

Best Wished to you , What is happening is not right, but you and your parents have to advocate for yourselves. They may be playing the wait you out so you give up game!

Becky


thats the thing i did i was suppose to get a meeting wiht her 6-weeks into school (didnt happen), i even signed up to see her about the 6-7th week (never saw her) i even had my parents GO to the school and talk to her in person (she wasnt there), they left a note for her (she accually called back), suppose to call again to see about what kind of accomidations might be needed (well... its been a week and ofcourse nothing...) im starting to get mad. i feel like im being mistreated.



and RADDmom inorder to get these accomidations you must talk with the counselor, and as you can see she has yet to talk to me, what can i do? the school is 5-A in texas hter are way to many students for this one counselor to take all day to talk with me about my 'disability' should i jsut walk into her office and start demanding things, i feel helpless. (and perents arent helping too much there like jsut give her time, your not failing so what the big deal (although im barely passing)

From my experiences with school and students when kids don't understand something they do one of two things. Sit quietly and try to hide from the teacher. They don't wish to be called upon or pointed out as not understanding.

The other group does as it sounds u do. U make the group laugh and try to again hide the fact that u don't understand. The botttom line is no one wants to look weak infront of their peers.

! wow..that's a good take on it. when I was at school, I tried to hide and keep quiet, to stop myself looking *stupid*

As an adult, I took on the other defense mechanism...if I was asked something I didn't know, or people were talking about things that confused me, I would joke, muck around, and say *why would anyone even WANT to know that!" etc etc..and make out like I didn't CARE..when I was actually dying from shame...

It's one of the many strategies I used to *hide* my ADHD :faint: (or TRY to hide it LOL)

Tracy-

I was much the same way as u. Hence my post!

When I was very young and in school I was very quiet. I would even get up and leave the room at some points just to avoid being called on. Now its all about being funny when I don't understand. I did it quiet often in a Spanish class i took last semester! I don't think the teacher ever caught on, but I took the class with a friend of mine who also has ADD-she caught on right away!

Just Need Help,

Have your parents call the principal and tell him about not being able to see the counselor and the missed meetings. I would personally send them a certified letter stating that you are a student with a disability and would like to begin recieving your accomodations within the next school week. You may want to send a diagnosis with it and any suggestions your doctor has for you for a 504 plan. If that does not work tell them you want to know what the procedures are for filing a 504 complaint against the school. The right of access is yours whether the school wants to acknowledge it or not.
504 complaints if not taken care of there, can be lodge with the Office of Civil Rights, but you can also make a complaint to TEA. Although there is an online complaint form, they do not consider it a real complaint unless it is mailed with a signature and names, dates ect.

Doccument when you go to meet with the counselor or when your appointments were not kept by her. Usually a parent telling a school district that they have a complaint that they are going to file will get their attention.

Email me if you want more detailed help with this, but in the meantime, go to your teacher and explain the circumstances to her. She may give you the accomodations before the 504 plan is in place (by TX law that is at our discrection) which will help when you actually create the 504 plan. Remember, You have to advocate for your own needs and tell them what you need to be successful but remember these things:
1. Be reasonable in your requests
2. Don't request anything you don't really need
3. Don't let accomodations be a pass for lazy behavior.

Some of the things you need your teacher probably has set up for other students anyway so it would just be including you (i.e.,note taking assistance, study guides). sometimes you can get this set up without the counselor. That doesn't mean to stop the process for getting a 504 in place.

well i had my parents get in contact with the school they said the counselor talked with all my teachers and every one of my teachers say i do NOT need modifications, and the test i wasnt able to finish was because i didnt do my homework over that section (even though i got every single question right up until the point i had to turn it in! and yes i didnt do 2 assignments over that section (there were like 4 over the intire section)) so im kinda mad and the counselor said because im passing i shouldnt worry about modifications, only a select few in my school get modifications apparentally, and most likely i will get no where with this. even though i feel i need something else, and im not just trying ot get free grades.... UGGGHHGSDKAGKJF ASDJFKSHDIBFASDKL:GFASDH

Hey Just! Ms. D has some questions, suggestions, and advice!

Read the Wright's Law website-Have your parent's read it!!!http://www.wrightslaw.com/

You have an official Doctor's diagnosis correct? If you are officially diagnosed, something is very rotten in Denmark here and it all needs to be pursued further. After you read and get some information make another post and tell us what you learned about the law and your situation!

As for not doing assignments-that is a toughy-did it take you longer because you didn't do those 2 assignments? But one situation like this is not what the need for modifications is based on!! Besides if you were in my class, I would set up the homework program with your parents that has worked well with many students!!! And see that you had a study hall and actually worked on your assignments! You see, I know you can succeed-and will help you all the way!!! (Whether you liked it or me!)

I know this isn't right-adults should be more mature-but have you had a lousy attitude towards your teachers? Sometimes they get a lousy attitude right back. I have felt that way with students who yelled at me, called me names, and were disrespectful. Sometimes, their conduct resulted in an office referral, not because I wanted to. It takes a long time to deal with referrals and I only write one when absolutely necessary-that is, when a student breaks the school conduct code. After that happens thought, we start over with a clean slate-rebuilding trust and respect! Sometimes, a teacher who cares and will help you and work with you will not continue doing so if you don't hold up your end of the learning rope! I don't know if you have done anything like this, OK? But I want you to see part of the situation from the teacher's side of the desk. I have been a student! I really do understand!

I don't know you or what your school is like, but I do know that there are laws that are very explicit about meeting the needs of students with disabilties! Why? Because of a huge, class-action lawsuit called Corey H.

Do your parents feel helpless? This is really commom for parents-the school system is not always parent-friendly! Have them read the Wright's Law website and learn what the law says. ***** Your parents need to go back to your doctor and counselor and get documentation stating what types of accommodations you need. This is the most important thing they need to do right now!!! OK? Post back and let all of us teachers who are trying to help you know that you shared this with your parents! Without this documentation you and your parents will get nowhere! *****-You doctor and counselor can be your best advocates in this situation! Your parents and you should be writing down the date, time, name of the person talked to or message left with, and a detailed record of the discussion! Each and everytime! Written documentation is your best friend in this situation.

Always Boone, no matter how mad you are, always try to be respectful to your teachers-at least at school-you can say what ever you want to your friends later and let off steam that way!!!!

RADD or Ms. D

PS. Let me know what is going on! Would your parents be willing to post on this thread too? Ask them! That is what the forum is for-we will help you as much as we can!

Mrs D gave some very good advice. Unfortuantely it is harder to get the accomodations you need when you're smart. You have trouble showing that you "need" the accomodations. You need to keep track of how long hyomework takes you to complete. Is the problem that it takes you so much longer that you just can't get everything done? It sounds like the counselors and teachers are still looking at the end result without searching for the cause. So you may have to keep the data for them try to put the time you started and the time you stopped and /or completed an assignment. This will help establish how long it takes you to complete an assignment. You also need to mark on tests when you cannot complete them in every class. This should estblish a pattern.

I assumed that you are having trouble finishing tests in other classes too. You or your parents need to talk to the teacher and be very frank with them about the types of trouble you are experiencing. You DO NOT have to be failing to recieve 540 accomodations.

Wrightslaw is one of the BEST websites for getting info that you'll ever find. You can also call the OCR (Office of Civil Rights) to get more information and suggestions. They are for more than complaints.

well RADDmom thank you VERY much for the post that last one was very helpfull with some good information. after thinking about it i make 80's and 70's (this is a new school for me which is VERY easy compared to my older one VERY easy) but i have not been mean i have accually been very nice, waiting until they call on me to ask questions, when i go to the teachers desk i wait for them to say or look at me if there busy.

but i think for the most part i just need help with testing (maybe i freeze a little, or maybe some part of me just doesnt want to complete it?) i took the PSAT and i was only able to answer about 50-60 questions
(out of about 100) i was thinking i was doing average until the test ended and people were getting mad saying they had to omit 1! and another saying i had to omit 5! (well i omited 45...) and here really soon i will be seeing the counselor hopefully i can atleast get test accomidations...

my parents are not feeling like there are hopeless its just me, my parents feel i am over exagerating or i am just being a baby, my dad said he had to take the test and he took it when there were a couple 100 people in a big room (i was complaining saying i felt like i needed to take it in a more 1 on 1 enviroment as i kept forgetting the instructions (i was unable to keep up so i couldnt remember what i was suppose to do to box #8 when i was filling in box #5)

anyway hopefully i will be gettign this sorted out, i will look more closely at the website to see WHAT KIND OF accomidations they can make (can i listen to music thats proven to work on me)

and yes i have been officially diagnosed take meds at school (dexedrine) with paper work.

and also, apparentally the school has been doing work they just ahvent been informing us about it.

i did take your advice RADDmom and i went out and got a new desk to work on (this is my first time on it now yippie) plus i got a pocket sized book to keep up with my homework assignments etc etc. thanks for the help, plus i am keeping ALL my papers given to me in a desk drawer (ive already got a pretty nice sized stack forming) thanks again for the tips to get stuff done!

(if i could give you a badge for leadership/support i would)

:D Justin

well RADDmom thank you VERY much for the post that last one was very helpfull with some good information. after thinking about it i make 80's and 70's (this is a new school for me which is VERY easy compared to my older one VERY easy) but i have not been mean i have accually been very nice, waiting until they call on me to ask questions, when i go to the teachers desk i wait for them to say or look at me if there busy.
I am so glad! That will make a big difference for you all through life! I know I appreciate that and always thank my students for treating me respectfully.


but i think for the most part i just need help with testing (maybe i freeze a little, or maybe some part of me just doesnt want to complete it?) i took the PSAT and i was only able to answer about 50-60 questions
(out of about 100) i was thinking i was doing average until the test ended and people were getting mad saying they had to omit 1! and another saying i had to omit 5! (well i omited 45...) and here really soon i will be seeing the counselor hopefully i can atleast get test accomidations...

Not all kids with ADD need a ton of accommodations! Extended test time is a very reasonable, easily accommodated need! Each school has their own way of doing it.


my parents are not feeling like there are hopeless its just me, my parents feel i am over exagerating or i am just being a baby, my dad said he had to take the test and he took it when there were a couple 100 people in a big room (i was complaining saying i felt like i needed to take it in a more 1 on 1 enviroment as i kept forgetting the instructions (i was unable to keep up so i couldnt remember what i was suppose to do to box #8 when i was filling in box #5)


If your dad doesn't have ADD, it can be hard when your parents understand. My mom still has a hard time with me and I am way older! Your dad loves you and wants the best for you. Give him some time to understand this. Maybe you could find an article on the internet for him to read! I do well on tests-but take the entire time and sometimes really do need more time-and I am very intelligent too. It sounds weird to a lot of people but that is my ADD brain!

anyway hopefully i will be gettign this sorted out, i will look more closely at the website to see WHAT KIND OF accomidations they can make (can i listen to music thats proven to work on me)
This is a possibility-it has been written into some IEP's. I am all for it. I have seen kids with and without ADD focus better on individual work and tests. My rules are, only for tests and individual work, if I can hear it it is too loud! Otherwise they stay in the backpack! At first I thought it was a really stupid thing-that the school let the kids have their iPods and CD players in class! But I found that it improved class behavior and work completion!


and yes i have been officially diagnosed take meds at school (dexedrine) with paper work.

and also, apparentally the school has been doing work they just ahvent been informing us about it.

Good, try to find a polite way to let the counselors and others keep you and your parents informed as things happen. Give them an email-then it is easy to dash off a note!

i did take your advice RADDmom and i went out and got a new desk to work on (this is my first time on it now yippie) plus i got a pocket sized book to keep up with my homework assignments etc etc. thanks for the help, plus i am keeping ALL my papers given to me in a desk drawer (ive already got a pretty nice sized stack forming) thanks again for the tips to get stuff done!

Glad to hear this! You are taking initiative. This is something that you should share with the counselor-it shows you are not making excuses and that you are working to improve your school performance! One last idea-a clear red or other bright color plastic bank folder-with the string thingy-use that for all your assignments-both new ones and completed ones. Always put it in your backpack. It is easy to find and you will not lose an assignment in a book or binder. Plus you will have the due date written in your notebook!

You get an A+ from me today! You are motivated and showing initiative! Any parent or teacher would jump for joy to see that! Treat yourself to some ice cream or a movie for making such positive changes in your life! My best to you!

RADDmom-RADDteacher!

I agree with RADDmom - great initiative!!

Keep it up, JustNeedHelp!

Courtney

JNH,

It's great to hear that your getting organized!! That is a huge step to managing your ADHD at school!

You need to check on a couple of things....one is if your school has a testing center where students go to take test to be free of distractions. There is generally at least one place that teachers can send students who need to complete tests if absent or go when they need a quiet place. Sometimes this is a Content Mastery room, but whether a 504 student can use it is different district to district and is dependant on how it is funded. ASk!

The use of a headset without a IEP through special education that states that you need it. The state inniative to take electronic devices out of the schools has made some districts crack down on CD players. You may have to talk with your principal to get this and use whatever data you have that says it works for you. If you used it at your old school, contact the teacher by email and ask them to fax something to the counselors saying that you used that in their classrooms. Teachers often do things instictively for students that are modifications but are not listed.

RADDmom im one step ahead of you i went out and got (several weeks ago) a 5 subject spiral (about 100 pages per section) and i take notes write stuff down and then there are little folders in each section i put my homework for each class in its own section. (kinda like the thing you were mentioning) but the thing if remembering to use it and well... using it. but im trying although i have still NOT heard from the counselor i will go to her office monday morning and also have my parents call her tuesday if i still have yet to see her.

JustneedHelp, do you use an agenda / planner?

JustneedHelp, do you use an agenda / planner?no i dont use an agenda planner, although i do use a small black spiral notebook (the thing is like 2-3 inches tall) and i keep track of wha tpapers are due when (if i remember)

Getting organized is really hard but you sound like you're getting a handle on it. Spirals and trappers are great tools to keep everything together but in it's own compartment.

Use the KISS principle and Keep It Simple Stupid (not that you're stupid)
The more steps you put into the organization, the harder it will be to implement and remember. Get one thing into your routine at a time. This will help, so your not dropping the ball and not getting ANY of it done:eek:

Getting organized is really hard but you sound like you're getting a handle on it. Spirals and trappers are great tools to keep everything together but in it's own compartment.

Use the KISS principle and Keep It Simple Stupid (not that you're stupid)
The more steps you put into the organization, the harder it will be to implement and remember. Get one thing into your routine at a time. This will help, so your not dropping the ball and not getting ANY of it done:eek:yes thats so very true lately ive been trying to do all of these new practices and its making it hard to remember everything, maybe i should try it one at a time good idea.

WELL UPDATE:

i talked with counselor after requesting to speak with her, she told me there was NOTHING she could do but request i take the test to see if i need to go to special education.... and umm NO not going to special ed for ADD, theres NO PLACE to go take a test in quiet, theres no chance of getting modifications, on ANYTHING, and she said she wouldnt even think about modifications for SAT, TAKS testing, as that is just too restrictive... so ALL HOPE IS GONE... and my grades are slipping, im failing now, and its jsut gonna get worse as i have decided to stop takign my dexedrine, (its not working as well as hoped, doc wont up dose and i have 1 side effect i cannot and WILL NOT LIVE WITH, (there is 1 other thats just annoying but manageable). so im completely hopeless, now i feel bad, now my license is gonna get taken away cause im failing, im gonna get depressed cause i caint see my frineds and its just gonan kep going down hill... CRAP...

JustNeedHelp, have you been tested for a Learning Disability?

JustNeedHelp, have you been tested for a Learning Disability?that was somehting i was wondering but why wouldnt anyone bring it up until now? all my life ive seen a doc for ADD not an LD plus i dont think i fit the critera fo ran LD but i might not sure its wierd... but i gott ado somehting

Well, when my son was assessed for ADHD, the psychologist did a battery of tests to rule out any learning disabilities.

my parents have emailed my teachers telling them that i have ADD and asked my teachers if they could contact them about my grades and maybe help me pay attention during class or give me extra attention. the problem is that i feel kinda insulted or ****ed off when they do that cause i see it as them using ADD as an excuse for my actions and i just don't like that.

my parents have emailed my teachers telling them that i have ADD and asked my teachers if they could contact them about my grades and maybe help me pay attention during class or give me extra attention. the problem is that i feel kinda insulted or ****ed off when they do that cause i see it as them using ADD as an excuse for my actions and i just don't like that.in a way i know what you mean... i too dont like to use ADD as an excuss but sometimes you have too and when you do they laugh and think your just lazy falling back on this so called 'disorder' becasue your too damned lazy it makes me mad and i dontlike to use it either... but my grades still slipping but she has been much more willing to help me (i havent told her i have ADD (atleast i dont hink i have) and i think the fact i SHOW i want to learn helps alot)