Long story short his grades been kinda bad. He struggling in English kinda bad with a “F”. Math grade is around a “C” right now. We talked to his teachers and certain staff members staff and we have him speech and tested him for some learning issues. He have some problems with words and endings sounds.
His behavior at home is becoming a issue. Some days he will do his homework and some days it’s a fighting issue. He lately become irritated and angry at everyone . I think part is he stressing out with all the homework and he’s overwhelmed with it. He knows his grades are kinda bad especially in English. I think he knows he going to fail. I got his doctor to do some blood work to see if his thyroid is messing up since we have a family of thyroid problems. She checked that and his glucose and so on. All came back good!
He seems to have a hard time listening when I tell him something and gets distracted by everything around. I have to put him in the room with me by himself to help with his work. He been lately spinning around in circles to music. I don’t know if he doing that to clear his mind and stress or what. Question is how do they diagnosed a child with adhd? What helped your child focused on homework and etc? I forgot teachers at school said he’s perfectly good and he listens and is quite. TIA!!
doesn't sound to me like a kid with ADHD. sounds like a kid who is struggling in school, though.
but i'm not a professional.
why on earth not have him evaluated by someone with a medical degree?
khairete
S.
Our school doesn't do grades until 5th grade, so I don't really know what it means to be failing. Is it that he isn't understanding the concepts? Or is it that he doesn't always complete his assignments? What is bringing his grade down?
Does your son have a great deal of homework? Our school didn't really give much homework. Sure there were nights when our son didn't want to do it, but it usually didn't take more than 15 minutes. So it wasn't too hard to get him through it. We usually reminded him that once he was done he could watch tv or play a video game or something. Now that he actually gets letter grades, he's more self-motivated.
I would have a meeting with the teacher to talk about specifics. What concepts is he missing? Where are the low grades? Are the homework? Tests? Classwork? Is he just not able to do what the other kids can do or what is considered to be "grade level?" Ask the teacher what she (or he) plans to do to help your son. Could he be pulled out of class for extra help? Would he benefit from being in the resource room for a bit each day?
Students at our grade school who struggle with reading or writing or math or whatever are often pulled out for extra one-on-one or group help in that subject area. So the concept of "failing" doesn't exist.
If you do want to have him tested for ADHD or any other learning challenges, I would begin with your pediatrician. Let him/her know what some of your concerns are and that you would like a referral to a pediatric psychologist (or similar professional). You should be able to request an evaluation.
Get him a complete physical, not just blood work and see an audiologist for a hearing test as well as an ophthalmologist for a complete vision test. What the pediatrician or the school does is not enough!! If everything is "normal" there and he is still struggling in school, demand that the school evaluate him for learning disabilities. I am having my 7 year old evaluated and it has taken the public school system over 7 months and we still haven't reached the front of the line. If you start now, you may know something before Christmas! BTW, doesn't sound like ADHD to me - sounds like a boy who needs to burn some energy but that doesn't solve the grades situation.
The teachers may have said that he is good, listens, and is quiet, but he's failing his classes so he's clearly not learning. Get a referral from your pediatrician to a specialist who can test him. It could be inattentive ADHD, but it seems just as likely to me that he might have a learning disability, or it could be something totally different (or nothing at all). The testing that the do in school is usually not detailed enough to catch all learning problems and would not look at developmental issues like ADHD at all. You need a comprehensive evaluation.
Please don't start trying diets, caffeine/supplements, or other ADHD strategies until you actually know what the problem is - you could cause more harm than good. You need a specialist to test him to know. Then you can figure out the best way to help him.
Talk to your doc about his behavior, and the difference in home and school. One of my older girls was very much like this. She would however, lose focus a bit in class. We would argue about homework, almost screaming matches. I had her tested when she was 4 just because of her behavior and the doc said no. Then again at almost 8 because of how much it escalated. Again it came back no. There just seemed to be an issue at home. Over the years we learned a lot about her learning style. For one, she is a visual learner and do not give a list of instructions verbally. And she did turn to music, and then running, to deal with stress. She is now a nursing student and on the college track and cross country teams.
My daughter was considered a trouble maker until I changed her school and she got a teacher in 3rd grade that was willing to work with her to keep her on track. In 6th grade something just fell into place and she took off from there.
First, talk to the doc. Then see if you can talk to his teachers. How is he in class (fidgety or sits well during instruction) you may need to sit with him and show him his homework rather than tell him. It may take time to get him on a track he can follow.
I haven't had a child diagnosed with ADHD and not sure my experience will help you - but just want to add it in case it's worth investigating.
Has he seen ENT? My son had hearing issues (needed tubes). What you've written here reminds me of what we went through mind you, he was younger. Speech issues was the big thing, but he would be distracted and would spin (he had inner ear imbalance). He was a perfectly good child and exceptionally quiet.
He would get frustrated though.
As for homework - we used to sometimes divide it up into manageable bits at that age. Sometimes a bit before dinner, a little after, reading before bed, etc.
What about having a tutor just help out a couple of times a week in the meantime?
I hope you find answers soon and wishing you guys the best :)
I don't know what they do to test as mine was never tested. We started trying to change his diet which was a disaster for us. The one thing we did do was start giving him caffeine that helped so much. We spoke to his dr about it and she said if it was working to keep it up. That it has less long term side effects than meds to on his body.
These are things you should discuss with your pediatrician.
Though if he can pay attention at school - he should be able to at home too.
I don't think there's such a thing as part time ADHD.
It could be he needs to burn off some energy after school.
After school taekwondo is great for this.
They get to run around and work up a sweat which is great after sitting in class all day.
At 8 yrs old (about 3rd grade) - it's preferable that he do his homework while you are nearby - right at the kitchen or dining table is great.
It's often not till middle school before they can do more without you being right there.
Angry and irritated with everyone? - don't you have days like that?
I'd talk with him about that while riding in the car.
"Are you having a no good horrible terribly bad day to day, Dear?"
Ask him what was the best thing was that happened during his day and what was the worst thing that happened.
And you tell him what the best/worst things happened to you too.
Celebrate the good, sympathize about the bad.
If you want kids to listen to you - you have to get their attention before you start your message.
When our son was 4 he seemed to be ignoring me - but he was just so focused in his playing he never heard me.
This is a skill that actually comes in handy if you work in a cubicle or have to concentrate on a task while ignoring what is going on around you.
I started
calling him over to me,
have him look me in the face,
tell him my message,
ask him to repeat what I just said
- and then asked him if he understood or if he had any questions.
Worked like a charm!
the homework hassle and at home behavior describe my son. he is a perfect kid at school. at home not so much. his grades are right where they should be. (just got his report card and he is doing well.)
his teacher is a fan of candy pop and sugary treats. when he gets candy and treats at school he comes home acting like a nut. lately the class is being taught by a student teacher. she does not give candy and pop and sugary treats, she gives stickers. my son has come home with stickers galore and is not so nutty. after a half hour of free play (usually outside) he will actually sit to do homework. we work with him at home to make sure he is understanding the homework.
i suggest you keep a journal of what he eats, what he drinks, and what his behavior is. there are many things that can contribute to problem behaviors. and the first step to figuring out if its food related is to journal it all. you may notice a pattern, such as my husband is grouchier the day after a meal containing pasta.
my nephew goes nutso for about 12 hours after eating something with red dye in it. the journaling may help you see a pattern., but it might not. talk to the child's Dr, and see what they say as well
