Question:

Hi. 
I just started the process of having my son evaluated.  He is having a hard time in his pre-school class.  He is defiant, impulsive, somewhat aggressive toward teachers, he refuses to join the group at times just to name a few.  His teacher has started a system in class and we have a communication notebook.  I am doing my best until he can be tested.  How do I make her understand that he may not be in control?  I need her to be more understanding and compassionate.  He may be able to control himself.  Please, I need help!

Margie

Answer:

Dear Margie;

It is sometimes difficult for teachers to understand that AD/HD is a neurobiological disorder and that behavior is sometimes beyond the conscious control of the child. Often parents are called on to educate the educators. Although teachers spend a great deal of time with children during the day and are able to compare their performance and behavior with that of typical peers, only parents see their kids develop and grow over time.

When parents try to share with teachers, they may find that teachers are extremely busy and have little time to read and study in addition to their teaching duties. However, to help your son’s teacher understand his behavior and avoid conflict with her, consider sharing with her some simple information written for professionals about AD/HD. A number of organizations provide information online that is easy to access and print out. I strongly suggest that you stick with sites that feature research-based materials. There are many groups that exist to promote their own products and do not necessarily provide scientifically-based information. The sites below are reliable:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

The NIMH website provides an excellent introduction to AD/HD including an explanation of the neurobiological causes for the disorder. A video of recent research about AD/HD and brain development is easily accessed at the site. This new research indicates that the brain of the child with AD/HD develops in the same way as the brain of the typical child, but is delayed in development by about three years. Sharing this fact with your son’s teacher may help her to understand that your son may simply be less mature than his classmates.

National Resource Center on AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/

The National Resource Center is a joint project of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This invaluable resource includes comprehensive and reliable information about all aspects of AD/HD. The website also includes a series of printable pamphlets entitled “What We Know” (WWK) about all aspects of AD/HD. Links to the latest news about AD/HD are available.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/default.htm

The address above is a link to a one page document discussing the definition and prevalence of AD/HD.

LD Online
http://www.ldonline.org/adhdbasics

This website specifically designed for teachers includes information based on the NIMH website. In addition, teachers can find links to specific topics such as AD/HD and the gifted child, as well as links to articles about specific strategies on intervention strategies.

Hopefully, your child’s teacher will have the time and interest to look further. If so, the following are excellent introductions to information about identification of and interventions for children with AD/HD:

CHADD Educators Manual, Chris Zeigler-Dendy, editor

Available at www.chadd.org This excellent reference includes information about all aspects of AD/HD including characteristics and interventions for preschool.

Office of Special Education, U.S. Department of Education (OSEP)
www.ed.gov

OSEP publishes two excellent and free resources for teachers: Identifying and Treating Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; and Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These can be downloaded and printed from their website or ordered in bound form.