School Update and ADD

I received a call late Friday from the principle. He told me that he had read my e-mail and was sorry that he had been too busy to answer my calls. It turns out that he had already spoken with the councilor, but, this was before he knew all the details. As soon as I told him about the “waste of space” comment he rsponded with a “you’re kidding” and then asked to speak to my son. I guess it was to verify that she had indeed said that to him.

My son verified it and it upset the principle a lot. The kid told him it didn’t upset him as much as it felt like a humiliation because it turns out that this was said to not only my son but to another child that was pulled into the same meeting. This councilor made a few huge mistakes… both with her words and her actions by doing so in front of another student.

The principle told me to not worry about her again. He is pulling her from my sons case. He also told me and the kid that if there are any more problems with her or with anything else, that all the kid has to do is ask. That statement alone made me feel much better. He has gone over the kids files and knows that he is making huge strides over last year. He told the youngin that he was proud of him and his accomplishments.

As I had said in the e-mail, the kids grades are improved… but it is not only that, his behavior has improved as well. This time last year… actually it started the second week of school… he was in ISS almost every week. ISS=In School Suspension. It wasn’t long before he was sent to in-school second chance learning. He was so far behind last year that he never really had a chance to catch up by the time school was over. The fact that he only missed his math GCRCT by 20 points and passed the rest was a miracle in itself.

The youngin does not have a learning disability, other than ADD. Some people have the wrong impression of ADD. He is not hyper or ADHD… it is just that he is bored easily. It is a proven fact that most kids with ADD are super smart… it is just that they have so much going on in their brains at one time that it is hard to focus on just one thing at a time.

There are a few ways to “try” to control ADD. One is through diet, but that is a chancy and most often a failed thing. The other is through drugs. The drug of choice is Speed. Kids with ADD produce too much of a variant of the dopamine D4 receptor gene that speed counteracts. It can make their bodies and minds slow down… caffiene can also help with this… but that is not a viable source inside a middle school.

Below are some of the symptoms to look for in an ADD child, per Wikipedia:

Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Often forgetful in daily activities.

The above list is my son… down to the last detail. As kids get older they can usually recognize the signs and struggle through it. My son is starting to do this. It has taken a while but I can honestly say that I am proud of the way he has changed in the last year. I just wish that the schools would recognize that these kids are not learning disabled… they just need teachers that can keep their attention. It takes another kind of teaching… one that can be a bit more animated and passionate about what they are teaching. Keep their attention and you will have kids with great grades.