Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Parent Support Forums
General Parenting
first major meltdown this week...
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="InsaneCdn" data-source="post: 456271" data-attributes="member: 11791"><p>There are quite a few issues that "tend" to go with ADD/ADHD - and are often not caught and/or not dealt with.</p><p>In particular... you might want to look into these:</p><p></p><p>- Working memory - the math issue really looks like it could be a working memory issue. If you don't have enough working memory, then memorization tasks are next to impossible. Does she have problems with other memorization tasks? (states and capitols, for example) If it affects multiple subjects (math, social studies, history, maybe english or a second language), assume this is an issue until ruled out by a professional. Toss it out to the school, too. </p><p></p><p>- Executive Functions - the ability to initiate tasks, plan, organize, shift between tasks, inhibit (self-management), and so on. These issues alone, combined with the ADD diagnosis, qualify her for an IEP. These executive function issues are considered a "developmental delay". Most kids will eventually mature and develop at least reasonable levels of these skills, but not completely (thus the classical ADD disorganization picture...). These skills need to be taught and/or reinforced daily, PLUS allowances made for the fact that she is not "at grade level" in these skills. I don't know your system well enough to tell you HOW to get the IEP for this - but she definitely needs it.</p><p></p><p>- reading at 2 grades higher means there's no way she has dyslexia. Doesn't sound like she has dysgraphia, either - without accommodations, she's scoring well on standardized testing. But that does NOT rule out <u>dyscalcula</u> - a learning disability to do with math. Has she ever been taught strategies for basic math rather than memorization? For example: 2x tables = doubling. 4x tables = double, then double again. The rule of 9s. 3x = triple, 6x = triple then double. You can cover most of the times tables with a handful of rules (I ended up memorizing <u>exactly one</u> cell on one times table... 7x7!) Some of these kids can give you the LOGIC for math problems - but can't do the actual math to get the right answer - might even be advanced compared to the rest of the class in finding strategy, but they don't get recognized for it. School needs to push the edges of her ability/disability with math.</p><p></p><p>On a separate note - sounds like she's definitely still dealing with depression and/or anxiety issues. I'm guessing this will be secondary problems... i.e. caused by her background and/or abilities/disabilities mix (which is really hard on self-esteem). The psychiatrist who's dealing with her medications should be able to get to the bottom of the various source issues... OR you may need another specialist. But you will need to get to the bottom of it.</p><p></p><p>I agree with Suzie that Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) may be another factor - radical attachment disorder. Even if it isn't full-blown Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), she probably has attachment issues. If so, this is definitely a factor in her depression/anxiety... and you will need to find ways to resolve this if you are going to get past the other issues.</p><p></p><p>Also agree with Suzie on the Parent Report - "somebody" has to keep a master document going with ALL of the issues, what has been tried, why stuff didn't work, etc. The Parent Report is a good framework. The more YOU can document, lay out in detail, have YOUR case in black and white, the better prepared you are to get the support of schools and medical professionals. (Getting support of insurance is a whole different kettle of wax, I hear... we don't have that issue directly, but do have to find the right people to do referrals to other right people....!)</p><p></p><p>As the ADD behaviors are a problem at school as well as at home, you might want to look at two more books...</p><p>1) Driven to Distraction (E.Halloway) - I've heard there's an updated version coming out within weeks, but if you can get ANY version from the library, it would be a good start. The book is a very balanced discussion of ADD/ADHD right through life, with the positives as well as the negatives (yes there are positives).</p><p></p><p>2) The Explosive Child - OR Lost In School. Both by the same author - you don't need to GET both. The first is a parent-perspective, and the second is a teacher-perspective, of the same material. For some kids, the different approach to problem solving works amazingly well. But even if the approach isn't "the" answer for this child, the discussion about hidden problems, what some of them are, and the impact they have, is really useful. Again, if you can, get it from the library first - if it resonates, if it seems to make sense for this child, THEN get the book. (We have both versions... so we can lend out Lost In School to the teachers without giving up our own version).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="InsaneCdn, post: 456271, member: 11791"] There are quite a few issues that "tend" to go with ADD/ADHD - and are often not caught and/or not dealt with. In particular... you might want to look into these: - Working memory - the math issue really looks like it could be a working memory issue. If you don't have enough working memory, then memorization tasks are next to impossible. Does she have problems with other memorization tasks? (states and capitols, for example) If it affects multiple subjects (math, social studies, history, maybe english or a second language), assume this is an issue until ruled out by a professional. Toss it out to the school, too. - Executive Functions - the ability to initiate tasks, plan, organize, shift between tasks, inhibit (self-management), and so on. These issues alone, combined with the ADD diagnosis, qualify her for an IEP. These executive function issues are considered a "developmental delay". Most kids will eventually mature and develop at least reasonable levels of these skills, but not completely (thus the classical ADD disorganization picture...). These skills need to be taught and/or reinforced daily, PLUS allowances made for the fact that she is not "at grade level" in these skills. I don't know your system well enough to tell you HOW to get the IEP for this - but she definitely needs it. - reading at 2 grades higher means there's no way she has dyslexia. Doesn't sound like she has dysgraphia, either - without accommodations, she's scoring well on standardized testing. But that does NOT rule out [U]dyscalcula[/U] - a learning disability to do with math. Has she ever been taught strategies for basic math rather than memorization? For example: 2x tables = doubling. 4x tables = double, then double again. The rule of 9s. 3x = triple, 6x = triple then double. You can cover most of the times tables with a handful of rules (I ended up memorizing [U]exactly one[/U] cell on one times table... 7x7!) Some of these kids can give you the LOGIC for math problems - but can't do the actual math to get the right answer - might even be advanced compared to the rest of the class in finding strategy, but they don't get recognized for it. School needs to push the edges of her ability/disability with math. On a separate note - sounds like she's definitely still dealing with depression and/or anxiety issues. I'm guessing this will be secondary problems... i.e. caused by her background and/or abilities/disabilities mix (which is really hard on self-esteem). The psychiatrist who's dealing with her medications should be able to get to the bottom of the various source issues... OR you may need another specialist. But you will need to get to the bottom of it. I agree with Suzie that Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) may be another factor - radical attachment disorder. Even if it isn't full-blown Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), she probably has attachment issues. If so, this is definitely a factor in her depression/anxiety... and you will need to find ways to resolve this if you are going to get past the other issues. Also agree with Suzie on the Parent Report - "somebody" has to keep a master document going with ALL of the issues, what has been tried, why stuff didn't work, etc. The Parent Report is a good framework. The more YOU can document, lay out in detail, have YOUR case in black and white, the better prepared you are to get the support of schools and medical professionals. (Getting support of insurance is a whole different kettle of wax, I hear... we don't have that issue directly, but do have to find the right people to do referrals to other right people....!) As the ADD behaviors are a problem at school as well as at home, you might want to look at two more books... 1) Driven to Distraction (E.Halloway) - I've heard there's an updated version coming out within weeks, but if you can get ANY version from the library, it would be a good start. The book is a very balanced discussion of ADD/ADHD right through life, with the positives as well as the negatives (yes there are positives). 2) The Explosive Child - OR Lost In School. Both by the same author - you don't need to GET both. The first is a parent-perspective, and the second is a teacher-perspective, of the same material. For some kids, the different approach to problem solving works amazingly well. But even if the approach isn't "the" answer for this child, the discussion about hidden problems, what some of them are, and the impact they have, is really useful. Again, if you can, get it from the library first - if it resonates, if it seems to make sense for this child, THEN get the book. (We have both versions... so we can lend out Lost In School to the teachers without giving up our own version). [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Parent Support Forums
General Parenting
first major meltdown this week...
Top