Add - Bloomington,IN

You need to request a Planning and Placement Team Meeting aka a PPT. When you're there, you need to request that they do the neuro-psych evaluation. It will be free. If you have the official diagnosis from your child's pediatric neurologist, that would help you greatly.

The goal is to get either an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or a 504 Plan. Either of these education plans would REQUIRE the school to make accommodations for your child so that he gets his free and appropriate education. The fact that he has ADD means that he technically has a disability according to Federal Law, which means he's entitled to certain benefits under the IDEA Act (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

http://www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/idea-guide

http://www.fape.org/

I would say ask your pediatrician for a referral to a cognitive behavorial psychologist. They may give you many tips for how to help him focus and stay organized. Many schools play the "I have so many students" card...but then have a school philosophy that states that every child is unique and that they strive to treat each child as an individual. Demand some intervention from the school social worker/psychologist too. That is what they are there for. Medication is not the answer....giving him tools to help him is. Good luck!!!!! You have to be his cheerleader with those teachers!!!!!!!!!! They could give him reminders about his belongings at the end of the day....or put a list on his desk of things to remember and check them off as the day goes on with him. Also, become informed about ADD. Go to the library and get books about it. The more you know the better you can help him.

K.:

Welcome to mamapedia!

Is your son on medication for his ADD? What does his pediatrician or clinical psychologist say about his behavior?

If you have had him diagnosed with ADD - then he should be on an IEP or 504 program with the school so he can get individualized help.

Get his meds adjusted.
Make sure he is on an IEP or 504 program at your school.
Talk with his doctor about the meds and his new or worsening behaviors.

Good luck!

What have you done so far to get treatment for your son? Therapy? Medication? Activities?

It's not the school's job to provide treatment for your child's condition. And not every child with ADHD/ADD needs a 504 or IEP.

I need more information about what you have done so far before I can give an informed answer.

If your son has been formally diagnosed w/ ADD, he should have a 504 plan or an IEP. Jessica is right about about this being a disability. Has the teacher referred him for testing--If he has not gone already?

The school should test. If they don't:

I have been there w/ one of my kids. I took my child to a pediatric neuropsych and did testing and paid for it out of pocket because the school would NOT test her. I DID NOT WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL T HELP. Once I had the paperwork w/ the diagnosis, then, I scheduled a PPT meeting immediately. My daughter was younger than 10, but, I HAD to be my child's advocate !

At the PPT meeting, I brought the doctor (because they did not want to help my child) who tested her and the doctor told the team at the school what had to be on her spec ed plan. As aoon as I told them that the doctor was going to speak for me at the meeting, my child got the assistance she needed. Sad, but, true !

Message me if you need to chat ! I am a certified teacher and saw this w/ my child at a very early age--- when my child was little. So, I took control of the situation. If he is 10 and you have not had a PPT mtg, then, it's time to schedule one.

Jessica has good info.