In education, I've always viewed the diverse learning styles of various students. You have those who are more visual, kinesthetic, auditory, etc.... You have those who learn independently and those who learn better in a group situation.

Students who were diagnosed ADHD who struggle with completing a task when they are truely attempting to do their best. In fact, if their parents do not disclose this fact, I can pretty much figure out which students cannot hold their attention span for very long and they are not trying to be disobedient. As a teacher, I adapt to their learning style and help them become successful with their studies and incorporating skills of monitoring their own learning to refocus back to their work or to use symbols to track long reading assignments.

What gets to me recently, is the criticism that ADHD has in the educational field. There is a population that believes ADHD is medical quakery, a product of a disorganized home environment, and a lack of discipline. Perhaps this may be true for some students, especially misdiagnosed students, but I fail to see this kind of ignorance in teaching which is suppose to foster an environment that enables all learners to become succesfull.

(what I mean by misdiagnosed is the fact that some children experiencing significant life changes or trauma will exhibit ADHD type behaviour)

Anyway, with my son recently diagnosed with ADHD.... how do the experienced ADHDers deal with this type of negative sigmatism. I know if you look at some of the most brilliant minds in our word... a large majority of them possess ADHD behaviour.

I'm sooo fustrated and currently arguing in another forum about this and I am a bit furious that this even goes on behind the minds of colleagues. This shouts a reform on training edcators.

welcome!

You may find this website helpful: www.schoolbehavior.com

(It's not just about 'behavior', but it explains the more SUBTLE parts of ADD/ADHD, and how they affect the 'brain's Manager' (Executive Function) and impact 'Auditory input' (processing) and memory and learning and so forth, etc.)

Where's the edit feature?.. I see a lot of writing errors. :D

Where's the edit feature?.. I see a lot of writing errors. :D

The ADD Gods do not allow edits after 30 minutes.

Justtess, I almost told you to quit being RUDE untill I realized you were talking about editing your own writing. :) I'm just a lil impulsive.

My son has ADHD, ODD and Depression. I have fought with teachers since day one. He is now in the 7th grade. I have been told he is lazy, isn't a good student, he has been degraded (in front of his peers) he is made fun of, been bullied and has not received the help he deserves. I will also say, he has bullied and made fun of students too.

I think ALL teachers should be educated on ADHD, not just special education teachers. I don't have any answers, just questions myself. I have had much input from the people on these forums though.

I can only say, keep loving your child and keep searching for answers. That is what I am doing.

From my dealings with the schools regarding my 10 Y/O son's performance in school, it seems that administration "educates" the teachers to recommend medicine for ANY child that is difficult to teach.

Probably leads to a lot of false Dx.

Luckily, we have had some EXCELLENT teachers who have been able to see his potential past his inattentiveness.

I'm learning that people who have never experienced it themselves simply can't comprehend it. I don't talk about my problems with family and friends because I was afraid they wouldn't understand.

This past week, I got brave enough to bring it up to my closest family members. One reacted with part understanding in that my other family members have many of the same symptoms... but also part denial of the ADHD. She blamed other outside sources for some of my more severe issues, but admitted the lesser issues could be inherited.

The other simply said "If you want to stop, just stop." It's hard to explain that it's not that easy for me to "just stop."

Perhaps it's this inability to comprehend the problem that leads people to dismiss it or call it quackery. It is frustrating.

Funny thing, I don't want to diagnose my nephew, but his doctor suggested ADHD once. He is very hyperactive and the child doesn't listen. I don't mean in a defiant way... he just doesn't hear you. Unless you get in his face and pull his attention away from whatever he is doing, he tunes EVERYTHING out. Even then, all he seems to care about is "get this over with so I can get back to what I was doing." I've never seen anyone like that.

His mother was very angry with the suggestion of ADHD. She complains to me all the time about it. She doesn't want to put her child on drugs, etc. How dare the doctor put that label on him, etc. Yet, in the back of my mind.... I think I'm more inclined to want to pay attention to the doctor's advice. Then again... I'm right there with that little boy.

I think I had a breakthrough with other teachers. When I tell my experiences about how we, as a family decided to explore the idea that my son had ADHD, it became difficult for other colleagues to criticize or judge my parenting or lifestyle... which may be more organized than theirs.

My son has flourished somewhat and has not been accepted into competitive programs at his school without a 2nd consideration. Though some other parents are criticizing the meds giving him an unfair advantage... I almost dared them to put their child on them to see if it worked too (had to bite my tongue).

I guess as parents, since the time our children were born we are always subjected to criticism from others regarding our parenting. s i g h ....