Hello everyone:
I'd like to ask what I'm sure is a basic question, but I don't know the answer to it--or at least I'm not sure I'm getting the right answer from my son's principal.
My son is nine and in fourth grade. His behavior has been an issue since kindergarten, and this year has been hard, maybe because things get more "serious" in fourth grade.
He is an intense kid, doesn't pay attention very well, speaks out of turn, very energetic, easily angered, can be rude. When I read The Explosive Child four years ago, he sounded like a textbook example.
We've had therapists a couple of times--kindergarten and first grade, but no one recently. Both of them felt he was simply "bouncy" and/or "anxious" and neither diagnosed him with anything.
His principal has recommended that we get professional help again, to try to ensure that our son doesn't get a "negative self-concept" (her words) from getting into trouble all the time. (It's usually minor stuff, but pretty constant.) I asked her if the school could provide any help, evaluate him, etc., and she said that he is not eligible for any assistance through the school district because his academics have not been affected (he is working at or above grade level in all subjects).
Is this true? If he only has behavior issues but is doing okay academically, does that mean any intervention must be private and is the parents' responsibility?
Thanks for any insight,
Lilac
I'd like to ask what I'm sure is a basic question, but I don't know the answer to it--or at least I'm not sure I'm getting the right answer from my son's principal.
My son is nine and in fourth grade. His behavior has been an issue since kindergarten, and this year has been hard, maybe because things get more "serious" in fourth grade.
He is an intense kid, doesn't pay attention very well, speaks out of turn, very energetic, easily angered, can be rude. When I read The Explosive Child four years ago, he sounded like a textbook example.
We've had therapists a couple of times--kindergarten and first grade, but no one recently. Both of them felt he was simply "bouncy" and/or "anxious" and neither diagnosed him with anything.
His principal has recommended that we get professional help again, to try to ensure that our son doesn't get a "negative self-concept" (her words) from getting into trouble all the time. (It's usually minor stuff, but pretty constant.) I asked her if the school could provide any help, evaluate him, etc., and she said that he is not eligible for any assistance through the school district because his academics have not been affected (he is working at or above grade level in all subjects).
Is this true? If he only has behavior issues but is doing okay academically, does that mean any intervention must be private and is the parents' responsibility?
Thanks for any insight,
Lilac