Having a child with ADD/ADHD is far too common in many families today. Even though I am a special education teacher, I was resentful and shocked when my son was diagnosed with this. I want to assure all of you that of all the disabilities I deal with, ADD/ADHD kids are the most intelligent, diligent and personable kids.
My job is teach skills and strategies to students and families to
compensate, but when it came to dealing with my own flesh and blood, I was just as handicapped as my son. ADD/ADHD was not considered an educational but one of medical concerns
in the late 80's. I was approached by fellow teachers who described " those kids" in their classrooms as " Lazy, spoiled, irresponsible brats". I was afraid to admit that I had one of "those at home.
I had a choice to make: Accept my son as the precious gift of God and use my training to help him compensate or join in the " The pity party" and use this diagnosis as a an excuse to make him more disabled. I began to read and ask his pediatrician for information. The more I learned, the more involved I became and the closer I got to my son. I thank God for his precious gift daily and asked him to empower me and lead me in the right direction.
I never realized there were so many parents who share my concerns and feeling in the same school district. I was lucky that the school my son attended was open minded and willing to allow me to send notes home to begin a support group for all parents of children with disabilities. Together we played, learned and became " experts " on advocating for our children.
That is the best advice I can give other parents: Research your child's disability, accept and deal with the situation.
- Be involved in the school and the be informed with their weekly
routine.
- set clear and concise expectations for home and school to structure the environment of your child.
- monitor food diet and promote healthy eating habits.
- Get involved in a support group to have unity in advocating for your child.
-provide your child with friendly reminders and other ways to cope in school.
- Have your child counseled and monitored by his pediatrician if medication is used.
- Involve your child in a physical fitness program and encourage
participation in extra curricular school activities.
- Motivate, encourage and feed your child's self esteem.
- If school work becomes overwhelming, seek the special
education teacher for advice on setting goals for helping the child
become organized, structured and independent learner.
- love, respect and pray for your child daily.
Thanks for allowing me to be part of your family and I wish all of you a smooth school year!
N. Haddad,
Parent and teacher