| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 7:15:24 PM | ^^^glad it gave you a chuckle at least amongst the seriousness.
And, yes, my parents were called into school to deal with my behaviour because i was going too far ahead in class and not being a classroom team player!!! I also got in trouble in grade 5 for asking my teacher what the educational value was of the dough map we were making--she wasn't impressed (it was a legitimate question i thought). my parents were cool, their reply in the parent teacher interview was "well, did you tell her?" LOL
serioulsy Mae, trust your instinct, it will never lead you astray :) | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 7:31:58 PM | Hi Mae,
I have tried to read most of the above posts, although admittingly I did only skim some of them. As a teacher I find myself needing to defend my proffession somewhat. I know for a fact that there are a lot of teachers out there at least in the TDSB that manage very well to deal with kids that have been "diagnosed" with ADD. That's not to say that there are not those teachers who do fall into the trap of "the easy way out". I can speak from experience there are ways of teaching students who have difficulty concentrating, for various reasons.
If I were you, I would take the test results with a grain of salt. Like some other posters have stated you are the only one who truely knows your son. I suggest that if your son's current school is not willing to work with you in trying to help him in the best way possible without using the drugs, to look for a school that will.
I work in an Alternative Highschool (there are elementary alternative schools aswell) And one thing that we do that is slightly different than the bigger schools is that we work with the students and parents closely and alter our teaching methods and even our assement methods to accomodate all different learning styles and types of students. I have kids who are ADD, who have behavioural problems, who are gifted (and get bored of school), I have students with social phobias etc. and in our environment everyone works well together and helps eachother out. That's not to say that we are perfect we do have issues of sorts at times, but we try various methods to deal with a more wholisic approach to education.
I hope that offers some form of help...not all teachers are evil drug pushers...although I will say that our ministry of education needs to promote educating teachers how to manage students who are having difficulties of this nature better. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 9:01:34 PM | hey this sounds exactly like my boy!
Yes they do test for the whole spectrum.. Con scores off the chart for comprehension but scores "unmeasurable" for the time sensitive things.
The BEST thing is you child WILL recieve extra attention and a modified learning plan (EID) which is his right as a student. The teachers and schools will have to modify THEIR behaviour first, and then help him modify his learning behaviour.
Con spent 2 years in the EID program at his school, and has now entered the standard stream, and is doing extremely well (from R's in grade two to b's in grade 4.) | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 9:08:15 PM | The Ministry of Education in Ontario does not recognise ADD/ADHD as fundable disabilities. A diagnosis will not get your child any official special help such as IMAP. Because of this most educational testers will say the student is gifted ,that way there can be funding but in place to help the kid
There is a HUGE over diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and a huge industry built up around it. This is recognised by most teachers.
As far as drugs go most students are sent for testing because of their behavior not their learning abilities, and when it comes down to it the drugs may not help the kid learn, but it prevents them from keeping everyone else from learning,makes them easier to deal with. I do not approve of the way the drugs are handed out like candy,there are other ways of improving behavior, they just require a lot more effort from the people involved. In our day and age however everybody wants a one size fits all , easy solution to education, learning and socializing. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 9:17:15 PM | I think he's got a crappy teacher . Otherwise how else can he "not" get his work done in class ..unless the teacher isn't keeping an eye on him ? I wonder how many others in that class are not getting their work done either ? When I was in school ... if the teacher wasn't on our butts ..none of us would do any work ..lol It's tooo Borrrrrringggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg ! Grade 2 ... 3 hours of homework ? That's just nuts ! . The teacher sucks ...and he/she is covering up the incompetence with ADD excuses. I think your son's potential is being smothered by the system . If you can scratch up the money ..try him in a Sylvan learning centre , and see what happens .
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 9:19:11 PM | I have ADD and the first thing I will say is KEEP HIM AWAY FROM RIDELIN (hope thats spelt rite) It is uncomm0n knowledge that Ridelin and the street drug Speed are basically the same drug. I was on Ridelin for about 6 or 7 yrs and lets just say it was not an experience I would EVER want to repeat. Thats just my opinion. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 9:19:23 PM |
I thought I was the only one. Who puts 4 words on a page anyway?
Mr. Muggs sat down.
Ok and then what??!!?!?!?!?!?
that's exactly how I felt. I had to get special permission in kindergarten to take books from the grade 1-3 area of the library. My son is the same but thankfully there is little restriction on where he can choose from. He has been reading chapter books since he was in the last half of S/K. I remember when I was tested in public school I was at a university reading level but can't remember the exact year. It was somewhere between grades 5-7. I know I was reading and loving Isaac Asimov books in grades 4/5. My mom would drive me into town every weekend, I'd take out 5 or 6 books and read them that week. I laugh when I see my son now ... wow mommy, this book has 150 pages, it should take me all week. by bedtime he's halfway done LOL
He's never happy with the story either, always has a better way to tell it ... God, I love that kid and his mind! | |
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.Lisa
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Joined: 1/13/2007
Msg: 33 | |
| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 9:20:58 PM | don't be afraid babes, although my son is autistic not ADD i know where you're coming from. It's a scary thing for parent's, it was like someone shot me when i heard the doctor tell me that i went blind and deaf and his teacher had to hear the rest. Many kids have disorders and never know cause the parent's are in denial or don't wanna hear it and want that "perfect child". I know many ppl who were told by teachers they may have ADD and never found out cause their parents didn't get an assessment and they struggled in school and whatever. Babes i rest assure you after finding out my one and only baby has a disorder in 2001 that, do it. He may have it but you know what mae ? It's just gonna be a label that will help you open doors to give him the tools he needs that has a hard time getting, but he'll always be that baby boy u held since day one. Just remember, YOU know your child better than your doctor so you hold the ball when it comes to what you want for him. Another thing, sure he's bright babes, my son has autism and yea thats a disorder and all but that brain is so smart in there it's unreal. I recommend assessments to anyone with kids over 2 cause there's so many disorders around and many ppl never know, amazing how the brain works.
i'm not gonna say i wish you luck and this and that babes cause he'll always be ur baby regardless.
i will leave you with my word that took me long to realize, sure it may be a life long disorder but at least it's not a life threatening disease.
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 7:43:45 AM | Hey now did you not say the little guy is 7 years old!!
Look I know kids are hard to handle but I also know that in order to get their attention you need more then a stupid book to read. And maybe thats why he seems to be lacking or slacking off at school.
I know for me personally books suck& I find books very boring.
And just maybe thats what your little 7 year old is finding too.
Not many people love reading books of any kind.
So maybe its not he has a disorder at all. More likely its how he is being taught at school thats boring and so thats why he has so much home work to catch up on.
Hes most likely a hands on type of little fellow which means he would rather be doing it to learn it then to just sit and read about it. You'd be surprised how fast little ones even at 7 years old will learn by hands on learning instead of reading books to learn. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 11:30:36 AM | Hey now did you not say the little guy is 7 years old!!
Look I know kids are hard to handle but I also know that in order to get their attention you need more then a stupid book to read. And maybe thats why he seems to be lacking or slacking off at school.
I know for me personally books suck& I find books very boring.
And just maybe thats what your little 7 year old is finding too.
Not many people love reading books of any kind.
He actually reads at levels well above his classmates.
He snatches books away from me so that he can read to his 2 younger sisters at
bedtime.
On the one library day they get at the school he tries to take out 5 or more books like we do a the Barrie library, and they only let him have 2, for a whole week.
The kid is a nonstop million questions kinda kid. He craves info.
I think he's got a crappy teacher . Otherwise how else can he "not" get his work done in class ..unless the teacher isn't keeping an eye on him ? I wonder how many others in that class are not getting their work done either ? When I was in school ... if the teacher wasn't on our butts ..none of us would do any work ..lol It's tooo Borrrrrringggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg ! Grade 2 ... 3 hours of homework ? That's just nuts !
The biggest worry in all of this is the fine line I tread… I don’t want him to hate school. I have never done anything more difficult in my entire life than try to make this homework ordeal fun and upbeat.
Literally the only thing lacking here with him is the concentration to finish the sheets given or tasks in class.
Quite often they (teacher and the EA) have sent home notes, in response to my 3rd note that week on forgotten homework that it isn't their responsibility to "babysit" every kid in the class  If I could get to the damn school to pick him up I'd make sure he had them MYSELF! Unfortunately he has to attend a before and after school program due to my work hours.
Could they not spare 1 MINUTE to see if he has the sheets in his bag between the two of them??
I have told them from day one.. I am extremely willing to work with them. SEND THE STUFF HOME THAT DAY. Not to let it pile up for a few days and then He’s got 3 hours of homework and just wants to play outside because he’s already been in school all day.
This is why I'm welcoming the testing, it will force a higher responsibility upon the teacher and the EA.
** and I'll also note that the tests are being done by a Pediatrician/Child Psychologist, not the school | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 3:56:41 PM | Quite often they (teacher and the EA) have sent home notes, in response to my 3rd note that week on forgotten homework that it isn't their responsibility to "babysit" every kid in the class
This says it all...I remind my students all the time about the stuff that they need to do and I call home and talk to the parents in person, and I teach 15-20 year olds. If you care about your students you do whatever it takes to help them out. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 4:10:51 PM | Get at least three opinions, if the first says to medicate. You've already been given source materials, but definitely get many opinions.
I hated the stupid Mr Muggs books too. Grade One I was already reading Chronicles of Narnia. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 6:10:05 PM | chuckling at the Mr. Muggs references.... You should have been reading Dicc and Jane....See Dicc Run. Doh! We have come a long ways. LOL!
My son was tested in Gr, 2. They thought he had problems........hahaha He is a genius. Doing extremely well to-day too.
You do have a line of authority to follow here. The teacher, the principal, the superintendent, and the school board as a last resort. You can home school the kids....I did. You can become a school trustee.......I did that one too! Let me tell you....if the school superintendent becomes aware of you having real problems in the class-room heads will roll. They frown on lack of skills from their hired people and green contracts will not be renewed. I know I had a couple of teachers fired via that route. The school system usually uses psychometrists to test....but they are extremely pricey and usually a school board might only have 1 or 2 at their disposal. There is a long waiting list for them. You also have the option of having another professional person from an outside school system testing your child. It will cost you money. I was with the Elgin Board and went to the Niagara Board to have my kids done when I home schooled them. The concensus? They were in grade 6 and 7 ... but tested out at a grade 10 level.
Last you are the mom, no-one else has control over anything about your kids. I wouldn't even let them immunize mine. The school system screwed up so bad I had my Dr. do it all. we might be the mom's from Hell.......but we do know what is best for our kids. I have the finest educated children to-day. Both are in fine professions at the top of their fields, and doing quite well.
I suspect yours will end up just the same Mae. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 8:19:39 PM | Hey Mae..
As quite a few have stated before. Trust your instinct. I say get him tested, as long as your son in comfortable with the testing. My son, when he was in grade 3, got tested for the gifted program (and he made it) but we chose to keep him in the regular classes (and thankfully all has worked out). He still has a very hard time concentrating when it comes to some things (but remarkably.. he has no bother conentrating on the instructions for the latest playstation game) LOL
I was lucky enough, to have great teachers at both of my sons schools. When sitting he would always sit on his knees (one teacher gave him into trouble for it and called me in to talk about it). So we made him sit on his behind, then voila in grade 3 his teacher noticed that when he is on his knees, he concentrates alot better (a simple little thing, but makes a difference) and some teachers won't let their children sit like this (but as a parent I had to cause a fuss and now he is able to sit that way).
Try anything but medication. I know far too many children (friends children and my children's friends) that are on medication and it breaks my heart. As stated above, up all hours of the night, or a complete zombie.. I've yet to see one in between (not saying they aren't out there, just saying I don't know any).
Diet plays a huge part in all diseases, so please check into this, if it turns out to be anything.
I'm sure all will work out fine. Just the fact that you are concerned enough to even ask for suggestions/help speaks volumes about how much you care and support him.
Best wishes for good health and happiness for you always. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/22/2007 10:15:19 PM | Well I know what teachers are like now adays . Nope not all teachers but a big part of them don't give a rats tail if any kid in their classes learn anything as long as the kid is there sitting in that chair they get paid . Oh hell I have heard many school teachers tell me their job is so dam hard trying to teach kids something . And I almost want to smack them in the head when I hear this crap line. Look any teacher worth thier certification will know how to be a real instructor and understand that it takes a little more then telling someone to read or do it this way.And any child in school is not worried if they learn anything or not.
And being thier teacher must include the understanding that they are kids and nothing means more to a child then having fun.
So if a teacher expects a child to want to learn then they must catch and hold the childs attention or they will soon tire of what the teacher is trying to instruct to them and hence home work !
Being a teacher in any school even high schools or Universities you have to know how to teach as well as know how to keep the students full attention to learn what is being taught. I train people all the time on cnc machines and also with beginers computer operation . And if you know how to instruct properly anyone can learn and will learn quickly . But not many teachers can actually teach or know how to instruct people and hence anyone whom is kinda slow learning is some how classed as being having a disorder mentally .HAHAHA what a laugh .
Sure I know teachers all have a paper hanging on the wall saying they are certified teaching instructors. But it does not say they actually know how to do it. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/23/2007 2:31:16 PM | ^^^^^ you sir...are a complete idiot. My little pieces of paper allow me to offer that professional opinion. Mind you, your teachers obviously never taught you how to spell ( their, for heavens sake, and this program has a spell checker) I do hope when you are teaching N.C. you do more than photocopy the Mastercam and Fanuc manuals and hand them out.  | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/23/2007 10:42:48 PM | | I have a friend who was told her son was ADD, simply because the teacher said so. As I told her, her son can tell you about his favourite video game in minute detail. Some kids are bored stiff at school, other's aren't. But to drag off every bored kid, test them and drug them? Sounds like a Twilight Zone episode to me...oh wait, we are still in Ontario, right? Forgive me, I forgot, that's the norm in Ontario! God forbid you don't fit the 'normal' PC model around here. Shame this totalitarian crap should apply to kids, who should be allowed to BE kids, and not turned into zombies. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/23/2007 11:52:41 PM | FYI -- the paediatrican and teh school both wanted my boy on ridlin..
We refused and said figure out another way.
The octor started working on a natural plan (diet, sleep, exercises).. the school actually said if hes not taking medication he doesn't qualify for the special funding.
We fought it, we won and Con got the special attention he needed to get through a tough time. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/24/2007 6:01:33 AM | | hey BD,i had the same allergy when i was a kid as well and i also had trouble focusing in school too.what did you do for your sister?i thought they pulled red dye 5 off the shelves years ago.hey mae, i went through 5 or more years of testing when i was young.they did everything from i.q testing to eeg's etc....i know you are a good mother and only want what is best for your son.so go with you gut and do what you feel will benefit him in the future.i have a niece who reads above her level as well so encourage him to keep reading,you can never stop learning. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/27/2007 7:26:09 AM | Hi, I'm a mother of a 10 year old boy diagnosed with ADHD. It doesn't really sound like your son is from what I have seen and learned, although I know there are some differences between ADHD and ADD....hyperactivity. I believe my son's diagnosis is sound. I would strongly recommend you insist he be tested by a pediatrician who specializes in ADD/ADHD. There are a few out there, the trick is finding one. There are also some Homeopathic doctors specializing in this area, though I've forgotten the name of mine. While my son is now medicated, and it works for well for him, it isn't for everyone. There is a time at the very beginning of medicating in which the "zombie" effect is noticable. This is only while figuring our dosage and letting his system adjust to the change. If a child doesn't need Ritalin then it should be very apparent. Let's face it, it's a stimulant. Someone not in need of it will be bouncing off the walls. In my son, I saw a change from a violent, unfocussed, dangerously impulsive boy, to a boy who could complete his work, get along socially and think before acting.
There is a great book that I used for years with a very strict vitamin and dietary solution to ADD that has some effectiveness, but it has to be followed very strictly. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. Another huge help is to hire a tutor for 1 or 2 days a week to give you a break from the homework. Get the ball rolling on an IEP for your little guy in school which is very, very helpful, but he will definitely need to be tested for this. It sounds like he only needs some slight modifications to his programme. My son's IEP is sort of open ended so I can make decisions on how much homework to finish and if he requires a deadline extension....just work with the teacher. Most are very understanding. You may feel like you're being a pain, but it's worth it in the end. I found it very difficult to keep up with the 3 hours of homework a night, as I'm sure you are as well. This would likely be the case if he is gifted I would think. Either way, some changes would be helpful.
Good luck to you....I know it's very stressful, but a diagnosis one way or the other will at least give you a path to follow. If you want to be sure he's being tested to see if he's gifted, demand it! You have every right as a parent to ask for that. If it gets to the point that he needs meds, and everything else has been exhausted, try it. Lots of people will make you feel guilty, but you have to do what works best for your son and your family. Our experience with Ritalin has been very positive and my son has not experienced any negative side effects. And ADD/ADHD children tend to be very charismatic, intelligent and creative....it's not a bad thing if managed properly.
All The Best | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/27/2007 11:05:40 AM | One question: since when are teachers or anyone in the school system allowed to bully a parent into getting their child tested for ADD/ADHD or insisting that the child is "unruly" or whatever connotation because they lack the people skills to handle behviour of the children and refusing to teach them until they are made into Zombies on Ritalin?
Sorry about that. I was a tutor in a public school while in University and I had asked the resource teacher about the ratio of children in the school who have ADD/ADHD and those who don't. Along with the ratio of those children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and who actually were misdiagnosed and have an actual learning disorder. He just shrugged and said it's too bad most children are misdiagnosed today. I perosnally think it's sad that teachers are too quick to judge, doctor's today just want the money, some parents are not educated or know how to educate themselves (very sad) and kids are ALWAYS suffering.
Mae.... don't let it stop with ADD/ADHD testing. Get the other tests too and actually pinpoint (if there is something "wrong" with him) what could possibly be the problem. I mean for all you know it could just be the adults in the school with an issue towards you or your son and taking it out on him. Sad really when you look at it from that perspective.
Good luck | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 5/7/2007 12:24:34 PM | I figured I should drag this back up and give people an update on how its going.
So 2 months,
$1350,
3 fights in the prinicipals office(one where I was almost over the desk),
4 refusals by the teacher to fill out the "gifted" packet that came along with the ADD packet,
2 attempts at filling ot the ADD packet where she just filled out 3's (all the time) about his symptoms in one continuous line down the pages,
and 5 testing sessions later he's done!!!!!!
We find out on friday how it all went.
I have a constant twitch in my left eye
AND
theres 38 more school days left and counting | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 5/7/2007 12:50:50 PM | 3 hours of homework is not acceptable and you can limit that as a parent.
My son has learning disabilities, including very limited short term memory. It makes it seem that he had ADD because everyone thought he wasn't paying attention.
Homework was an overwhelming task and it was every night. I limited his time to 20 minutes, we'd put the timer on the stove so we'd both know the grulling work would end then we'd take a break of 10 or 15 minutes and do the next work if there was more than one subject. We never went back and continued on the same subject - that just defeats the purpose of there being an ending place. If the homework isn't done - you as a parent can write on the paper how much time you spent on it and your decision to stop, a childs mind can be just like a glass of water - you can only fill it up so far. If you feel he can only handle doing 10 questions of a page of 20 or 30 then only do those ones, there's no sense in hurting your parent child relationship over homework.
Good luck | |
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