| Living with an ADHD or Learning Disabled child 24/7 is | | | | social events like birthday parties. Deep emotional |
| difficult. I know, as I had one before there even was a | | | | scarring can result. This should be avoided while the |
| name for it. He is now full-grown, doing well, living in | | | | child is young, so you can consider your options today, |
| California, where successful people are supposed to | | | | or find a solution like I did. |
| live. He now has two young sons of his own, and I | | | | Much can be done today that was not available for |
| wonder if he will be facing the same work and worry | | | | others like me years ago. Today, the social stigma can |
| in the future, as the problem runs in families. | | | | be prevented by obtaining, and insisting upon services |
| ADHD didn't used to be as prevalent, or it wasn't | | | | or obtaining outside help in addition to keeping the child |
| identified. According to a recent report by Scientific | | | | programmed into extra-curricular activities, like civic |
| Learning, at least 20% of today's school children | | | | volunteering, music and sports. There are many outside |
| remain unidentified for learning problems. In the 1970s, | | | | resources and solutions (see |
| Special Education laws were created delineating the | | | | The first step is to request a psychological-educational |
| thirteen different special education categories. Many | | | | evaluation, like the WISC-R or several subtests of the |
| parents do not want the stigma of admitting their child | | | | Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Cognitive |
| into special education classes, which can contain a | | | | Skills Battery and Achievement subtests. They used to |
| myriad of problems. Parents may even refuse to sign | | | | be routine practice, but are seldom administered today, |
| the evaluation consent forms for special services at | | | | because of the in-depth workload. Yet, when |
| school, fearing the child or his family would appear at | | | | requested, these tests give a complete picture of the |
| fault or will be stigmatized, that it signals something is | | | | problem. |
| wrong with the child, all of which are not necessarily | | | | Then comes the IEP (Individual Educational Plan) |
| the case. These feelings fostered the mainstreaming | | | | staffing of the school team to review the test scores |
| movement. | | | | and make recommendations for the child's needs, |
| The symptoms are the same: the restless, noisy, | | | | program and goals. At this time, if you are not satisfied, |
| unfocused child, constantly "acting out" to the | | | | you can request an outside evaluation through a |
| annoyance of those around him, whether it is parents, | | | | private source which the school district pays for. You |
| the school environment, or neighborhood. You may feel | | | | do not have to place your child in Special Education |
| like a "bad parent" unable to control these | | | | services, but this much up front testing information will |
| unacceptable behaviors, but I knew it wasn't me, as I | | | | give you an idea of how far behind your child is in |
| had two other well-mannered children living in the same | | | | reading and math, and which cognitive skills areas are |
| household. | | | | weak and need improvement. Understanding the |
| Pecking order reigns. Children with ADHD difficulties, | | | | playing field is your best ally. |
| are spotted by their peers, and often excluded from | | | | |