ADD/ADHD and School
There are so many concerns surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD that parents must be knowledgeable and cautious. It is usually the school that approaches parents to have an assessment for ADD/ADHD and parents often feel pressured in having the traditional drug treatment to ‘correct’ their child’s behavior.
What should parents do if the school identifies a child with potentially having ADD/ADHD?
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Have the school put their concerns and directions in writing. Hold them accountable.
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If the school tells you that your child needs medication to control his or her behavior, remind them that medical help does not necessarily mean taking medication.
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If you are told to sign a release for your child’s medical records, ask to see that law in writing.
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Whenever you have a school conference or go before a school review board, record that meeting on a tape recorder. The recorder should be in plain sight. If you are told that the meeting is confidential, remember that confidentiality is your child’s right — not the school’s right.
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Children who have an ADD/ADHD diagnosis normally have an above-average IQ. Ask the school why it is so difficult for them to teach the smartest kids in school.
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The federal government allots over $2 billion to local school systems under the Individual Development Assistance Act of 1985. Ask the school officials how much money their school and school system gets when a child is coded as needing special education services.
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Find out what percentage of students in the school system are taking ADD/ADHD medication. The average number is between 3-5%.
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