Learn as much as possible about Attention Deficit Disorder. It’s impossible to have realistic expectations or advocate effectively for your kids unless you know what you’re facing.
Have your child tested for both ADHD and learning disabilities because the two commonly go together. People with learning disabilities have average to high intelligence, along with brains that work and learn differently. They often have problems in school because their learning styles are different from the majority of kids in the class. Teachers have to teach to the majority, so LD kids get left behind. They may not have the chance to show off their strengths and talents. It’s important to diagnose a learning difference early on, so you can find help and opportunities for your children before they become frustrated or feel like a failure. Your child can be tested for learning differences privately or by the school psychologist.
Once your child has been diagnosed, apply for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or Section 504 accommodations at school. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 were designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to education and school activities. Eligibility for Section 504 is based on the existence of an identified physical or mental impairment that significantly impacts your child’s learning or behavior. If your child is struggling, talk to the school counselor or psychologist about applying for an IEP or Section 504. Accommodations vary according to the child’s needs and are a tremendous help to “level the playing field.”
Ask the school psychologist or testing professional to advocate for your child. When I had my son tested at the Learning and Language Clinic in Seattle, the director accompanied me to a meeting with his teachers. She explained how they could help him learn best. Soon after, they incorporated her suggestions. Long term assignments turned into smaller, achievable chunks, we utilized talking books for long and complicated literature; he was allowed to use the word processor for every assignment, and he wasn’t graded down for spelling except on final drafts. That meeting improved his whole middle school experience. When he entered high school, the psychologist who qualified him for 504 accommodations was also a wonderful resource and advocate. Ask for help.
If medication is recommended for your child, research all the options so you can make an educated decision. As well as traditional medications for ADHD, there are alternative and complementary approaches to explore. Some people experience a reduction in symptoms through naturopathic or homeopathic medicine. Others combine traditional medicine with supplements such as flax seed or cod liver oil. A deficiency of fatty acids has been implicated in ADHD. I started with the natural approach for my son and tried “brain health” fatty acid supplements. After a few years and not much difference, I realized he needed traditional medicine. He was struggling in every area of his life. First he tried Concerta, which did nothing for his brain but make him nauseous. When he was sixteen, he tried Adderall for the first time. He arrived home from work and said, “I can’t believe something legal can make me feel like this. I can carry on a conversation, I can concentrate, everything seems so clear. My supervisor even complimented me on what a good job I was doing!” That had never happened before. It’s important to try different medications and approaches as soon as your children are diagnosed. It may take awhile to find something that works and they deserve to learn, make friends and experience the joys of childhood.