Hi all!
I just joined, and wanted to introduce myself and my family. I'm Carrie, mom to 2 difficult child's and stepmom to one spoiled easy child. (or so her mom claims - wants to change the kid's name to Mary Poppins 'Practically Perfect in Every Way' - yes, that's a direct quote). But all those rants are for another board.
My oldest is DS15, currently diagnosed (misdiagnosed?) as ADHD and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified. He is profoundly daughter. I strongly suspect a diagnosis of Angelman's Syndrome, but due to insurance and miscellaneous issues, I haven't been able to get that confirmed. He is non-verbal, with global delays. But a sweet, loving disposition, according to all his teachers and therapists, he works hard in school, and delights in making people proud of him. His receptive communication skills are close to age-appropriate, his expressive communication comes from a mix of an augmentative device, some ASL and some sign approximations, natural gesture, some verbal approximations, and a healthy mix of charades. His only medication currently is Ritalin, 25mg a day broken into 3 daily doses. He had been on Clonodine for sleep, however seems to have outgrown his need for that.
My youngest is DD10, diagnosed with ADHD, even though the neurologist agrees that the only 'H' part of her is her mouth! She is the one I'm really having problems with right now. She is reasonably bright, tests about average on the standardized testing, but I believe she is a bit better than that. (of course, I'm mom, so I may be biased.). She is currently flunking ALL of her academics. She has test scores ranging from mid 90's down to last week's science test of 42. She seems to think that homework is beneath her. We have always struggled with school, focus and homework issues, but it became extreme over the past few weeks. She is on Focalin XR, I don't think it is the right drug for her, but because she did show some improvement, the neurologist is refusing to change.
Last week we set up a new system of punishments and rewards for homework and tests. She is grounded during the week from all electronics... The computer/internet, the nintendo DS, tv, dvd's, etc. She is not permitted to go outside to play. Allowance has been suspended until grades improve. Every missing homework assignment will be costing her $1.00, and every test score below a 75 will cost her .10 per point. Her teacher is reviewing her homework jounal every afternoon to confirm all homework is written down, and I review it every night to confirm that all homework is completed.
Her teacher will be emailing me weekly to let me know if all homework was handed in, and if all tests were passed. If she achieves that, then her grounding is lifted over the weekend. If she excels (B's or better on all work) then she is rewarded over the weekend. Possible rewards include a movie or DVD rental, a trip to the ice skating rink, a couple hours of 'girl time' just her and I.
In the first two days that this system was in place, she forgot to bring her homework material home, both days. Today is day 3. So obviously my methods are not working. I need to scream now.
I just joined, and wanted to introduce myself and my family. I'm Carrie, mom to 2 difficult child's and stepmom to one spoiled easy child. (or so her mom claims - wants to change the kid's name to Mary Poppins 'Practically Perfect in Every Way' - yes, that's a direct quote). But all those rants are for another board.
My oldest is DS15, currently diagnosed (misdiagnosed?) as ADHD and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified. He is profoundly daughter. I strongly suspect a diagnosis of Angelman's Syndrome, but due to insurance and miscellaneous issues, I haven't been able to get that confirmed. He is non-verbal, with global delays. But a sweet, loving disposition, according to all his teachers and therapists, he works hard in school, and delights in making people proud of him. His receptive communication skills are close to age-appropriate, his expressive communication comes from a mix of an augmentative device, some ASL and some sign approximations, natural gesture, some verbal approximations, and a healthy mix of charades. His only medication currently is Ritalin, 25mg a day broken into 3 daily doses. He had been on Clonodine for sleep, however seems to have outgrown his need for that.
My youngest is DD10, diagnosed with ADHD, even though the neurologist agrees that the only 'H' part of her is her mouth! She is the one I'm really having problems with right now. She is reasonably bright, tests about average on the standardized testing, but I believe she is a bit better than that. (of course, I'm mom, so I may be biased.). She is currently flunking ALL of her academics. She has test scores ranging from mid 90's down to last week's science test of 42. She seems to think that homework is beneath her. We have always struggled with school, focus and homework issues, but it became extreme over the past few weeks. She is on Focalin XR, I don't think it is the right drug for her, but because she did show some improvement, the neurologist is refusing to change.
Last week we set up a new system of punishments and rewards for homework and tests. She is grounded during the week from all electronics... The computer/internet, the nintendo DS, tv, dvd's, etc. She is not permitted to go outside to play. Allowance has been suspended until grades improve. Every missing homework assignment will be costing her $1.00, and every test score below a 75 will cost her .10 per point. Her teacher is reviewing her homework jounal every afternoon to confirm all homework is written down, and I review it every night to confirm that all homework is completed.
Her teacher will be emailing me weekly to let me know if all homework was handed in, and if all tests were passed. If she achieves that, then her grounding is lifted over the weekend. If she excels (B's or better on all work) then she is rewarded over the weekend. Possible rewards include a movie or DVD rental, a trip to the ice skating rink, a couple hours of 'girl time' just her and I.
In the first two days that this system was in place, she forgot to bring her homework material home, both days. Today is day 3. So obviously my methods are not working. I need to scream now.