Well, we have officially started a new school year and is it me, or did the summer months just fly by? It feels to me like the summer vacation just started last month! Before we know it Christmas will be here.
The beginning of a new school year is hard for any parent with school let alone parents of children with ADHD. In the first month of school parents have pictures, new schedules, fundraisers start and that's just some of the things we have going on. Having an ADHD child includes meeting new teachers, going to IEP/Support meetings, organizing your child with the new schedule, and the fights over homework. This can be a very frustrating time for the parents as well as the child. Most of the time, the same things that are stressful for us are also for your child.
In my experience, this is one of the most stressful and frustrating times during the school year for your ADHD child. And though I know it can be very hard at times, we have to remember this. He/she is trying to get back into a bedtime and morning routine, sitting for longer periods, organizing, remembering/completing/turning in homework/assignments, and controlling his/her behaviors more. They are doing all this after a long vacation and more relaxed three months away from all these demands.
IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan, this is a plan that is designed especially for your child. Every public school should offer this. Dillon uses one and I think it is great for ADHD children. To make an IEP parents, teachers, guidance counselors, therapists, related services and the student (when its appropriate) come together and work on a plan that's best for your child. Here your child is evaluated and is designed a plan to meet your child's specific needs educationally and behaviorally. Check out my page Success in School for more resources you can use to help your child in school. Look for the page I will be posting to know all about IEP's and how you go about getting one for your child. Thanks for reading! To know more about IEP's now check out the IEP Guide Book!
~Stacy Overly
Dillon (my son) used to hate having ADHD. He felt that it made him different, he needed extra help, and it seemed like everything was harder for him. So, I decided as he was getting older I wanted to discuss his ADHD with him and his medicines to see how he felt they were working for him. I was surprised when he opened up about, he also had some really great ideas that we implemented and have been working for him.