What can I do about my son's school not wanting to help with son with ADHD and falling grades?

go do your homework and look and see if is your right ,to get him tested ,if nothing can be done talk to your son docter and see what he can do .also ask the school what are the reqirement to get tested and most important talk to your son ask him question and make sure what the problem on that end. he could be feeling down or it could be lot of things. i dont know more or less hoe old he is.i wish you and your son the best. i hope this help!

You must put it in writing that your child be tested ( atleast in my school district) and they should have so many days legally to have his tests completed. My school district never told me this because it cost money to bring in psychologist to test.

Don't let them get away with it as I did many yrs because I didn't know any better. Insist & follow through and always be an advocate for your child because I guarantee no one else will be. Good Luck!

Request a conference with the Principal; ask that person all the questions you can!  How would you like the school to help? Maybe they don't know how you feel. I'm not sure what kind of testing the other respondants are talking about. Has your son been tested for ADHD? Is he taking medications? Try not to demand anything right away. Find out what is available then ask for the things you think will help your son succeed.

Talk to the school counsler. To get help with testing etc thru the school system  is very slow so if you have any means please pay for the testing yourself and take charge. I was very fortunate with experienced teachers when my son was in 2nd grade and we had him tested right away and with the medicine he was saved from repeating a grade which would have ruined his self confidence completly. It is not easy but start asap and get help by doctors,phsycolgist etc. Find out your rights.

GEL

My son has ADHD and we battle with school every day.  It is not easy for students with ADHD.  There are laws to protect them.  Take a look at the Special Education laws for children with ADHD.  They qualify for a 504 plan in your school system and you will have to do your homework to find what accomodations and modifications your son needs.  You can check out your state special education website or you can search special educations laws for 504 plans.  It does not mean your child is in special education but that your child has special circumstances that hinder his education.  I know that I have made several accomodations and modifications for my son and his school success has improved.  If your child has a 504 plan, then make the school stick to it.  Our children are not old enough to stand up for themselves so we have to.  It is the law and the school has to abide by it.  Also remember that the school only uses the accomodations and modifications as necessary.  If your son succeeds on his own, then he will not need them.  Simple little things like making an assignment shorter, helps them be successful.  Call your district Special Programs office for more information, but do your research first and sound educated.  If you would like further information, contact me at kimbryant69@hotmail.com.

Has your child had a P.E.T. test for ADHD?  This test tell is the only accurate way of diagnosing ADHD.  Health Insurance should pay for it.  Wants you have this done and the results are positive, you need to set up an IEP or 504 meeting with the school.  This will include your child's teacher, principal, special education teachers and sometimes the school psycholojist will sit-in on the meeting.  You bring yourself, your husband and I recommend an attorney or child's advocate. Take a recorder, make notes of your questions, and listen  to what they say.  When they are through ask your questions and do not be afraid to ask the same question more than once.  You are learning how the school and the teacher response to question.  If an IEP or 504 is written request that it me plain language and that is where an attornney or an advocate will help.  They can also obtain concession from the school that you might not think of asking.  An attorney is expensive but they understand how the meetings are to be run, if the school is following the standard for an approptiate education because that is all a public school has to offer your child.  If they are not doing this thaey will talk to the school adminstration, or be able to take the school to due process.  Then the school district has to provide the needed materials, understanding, or paid for a school that can meet the needs of the child.  Never lose your cool, remain calm and get educated about your state's standards.  Go on the web, go to your state's dept of Education.  You will learn a lot.  Next step is to keep copies or samples of your child's work.. It helps if you have some from early grade periods.  Go to the library and read Wright's Being an advocate for your child.  You have to become educated!  It's best to have an outside advocate.  The school listens beter when a third party is thrown in the mix. 

If they have mentioned the word ADD or ADHD first I think they have to help you test him.  I ran into the same problems with my daughter when she was in grade school.  At first I let them intimidate me but then starting doing my homework and found that they are required by law to help me......do not let them do this to you.    If you find the right person at the school or school district they can be alot of help. 

Thats how the school will best help him. They wait til the need is there (the failing grades on his report card and/or failing school testing) and then they will probably step up to help him. I have a son that has ADHD and his teachers have always helped him so the school can't have a routine from one year to the next, it depends on each teacher and what they think will help him. We tried to get him an IEP, next year he goes onto middle school and if the teachers don't help him he will fail without a doubt.

If you are concerned about your son, you an request the school to do a PsychoEducational test, this may take a year or longer but will test for learning disabilities.

Write a letter to the school administration requesting evaluation for special education and/or education plan under the state Board of Education's 504 plan it may also be called and IDEA or IEP.  Contact your State Board of Education (Special Education Department) and find out what your child's rights are.  I am currently in the  process of getting my child evaluated through the school.  Remember your child has to be medically diagnosed first and the documentation forwarded to your child's school.  After you send in your request for evaluation the school HAs to do their own evaluation.  Even if they determine that your child does not need Special Education they still can qualify for an education plan.  Don't stop!! They will probably want you to but keep it up.  I called the Tennessee State Board of Education and they were very helpful.  I even got an Attorney's name that specializes in nothing but 504.  Make sure you talk to the State Board of Education's Special education Department.  They can give you all the information you need.  It may also benefit you to have a child psychologist to evaluate your child.  That extra diagnosis only gives you more ammunition.  I expect a fight with my son's school but I am in for the long haul.  Good Luck and remember your child deserves the best education possible.  Don't let anyone tell you that ADD/HD is not a disabilty.  It is a Learning disabilty and the State laws support it.

I think that you should get an advocate from protection and advocacy to help . If the school won't help get the docter that diagnosed to write a letter to the superintendent of your school district. If the sup.of schools hears that the school is not helping then they will make them act or ask that you child be transfered to a new school. I did this for my children and it was the best thing in the world for them. The new school has turned things around for my children and their grades are in the B's now.

If you got to the school and request an IEP by law they should test him and do it quickly.  I did this at the end of Kindergarten after my son was diagnosed for ADHD. but i did it for behavior.  He ended up gettin the IEP even tho they recommended i wait until the beginning of next school year but because i already requested they HAD to proceed. Special Education only has a time frame in which to do these things. Request a meeting if they dont do anything go higher up I did that to!  I was emailing anybody and everybody.  Just go to the internet type in IEP and it should tell you alot of things about what you.  There is someone in your state that can help you , and will help you. That is what this person is for. My son is in 2nd grade and is doing wonderful!

Paula

My son is ADHD along with dyslexic and I have had to fight long and hard for his rights to an equal education.  First off, there is a federal law, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  It says "if a child has a disability that affects his or her educational performance, then the child may be eligible for special services." Your child had the right to be tested.  You want to request that he be CORE evaluated, the school has to honor your request. The school only has a few months in which to get the testing done and have a meeting with you. Ask them for a copy of these rules, they have to give them to you.  In the mean time you must be a constant presence in your son's education and school.  Let them know that you are full involved in his education and push for what he needs. There are all kinds of modification they can make to help him learn. What ever you do don't give up and don't take no for an answer.  You know your son best and you are your son's best advocate.  Never doubt that "mother's intuition".  Just keep pushing for his right to an equal education. 

Best of luck.

I had the same problem and still do.  I took the school board to court in order to get any help for my son.  Now my son goes to school early every day andstays after for 1 hour every day and it does make a difference.

I am a special educator in a New England state, so your state's laws may differ.  Your question is not specific enough for more than a general answer.

First of all, have you set up a meeting with your child's teacher(s)?  You have the right to speak with them to ask what they are doing to help your son.  New federal laws (IDEIA) require regular education teachers to show what they have done to help your son before any special education testing is done.  They have to try everything before your son is referred to special education.  This is called Response to Intervention, and it's an opportunity to make them attend to the child and his needs.

I don't have any idea how old your child is.  Is he 7 or 17?  This also makes a difference.   Try to maintain a cordial relationship with your child's school.  It helps everyone, especially if he is 7.  It will make your life easier, too.

Good luck!

I would like to recommend the advocacy group PACER. They are loaded with information and can advocate ( go with you to the school/legal meetings ).