| The school year is long and it seems you have | | | | communicating to your child's teacher can have a |
| worked endlessly to help accommodate your | | | | great impact in the way your child will succeed. I |
| ADHD child to succeed. You have seen bright | | | | often leave telephone messages to get the |
| moments of improvements and you are happy. | | | | attention of the teacher to let them know I am |
| Behind it all you know that without the help of the | | | | there ready to help in any way. Most teachers |
| many people at your child's school, you could not | | | | openly respond and have often asked for my |
| have done it alone. Your child's teacher, counselor, | | | | ideas and advice on ways to help my son in their |
| staff and principal have all believed in your | | | | class. Emails are a great way to communicate |
| determination to help your child's success. The | | | | quickly and get fast action rather than waiting for |
| needs of your ADHD child are indeed different | | | | the school voice mail system. |
| than the other children and there are many ways | | | | 5 - Being documentation ready. It is often |
| to accommodate your child. The following are a | | | | overwhelming for a parent to understand how the |
| few successful tips that have helped me. They | | | | school system works especially if you have an |
| can also help you as you continue to advocate for | | | | ADHD child. Therefore, having your child's |
| your son or daughter. | | | | documentation, that is, special letters from |
| 1 - Identify learning gaps your child may face. As | | | | doctors, other professionals or past programs |
| an example if your child has a difficult time | | | | that your child has participated in will help you to |
| learning to read, seek advice from your child's | | | | advocate for your ADHD child. The key to your |
| teacher. Surprisingly they have a wealth of ideas | | | | success is knowing how to work in your child |
| that can help. There could be other off campus | | | | school system. You quickly learn when you initiate |
| programs available, check your local library. A | | | | an action to apply for special programs and learn |
| wonderful place to start is the local high school; | | | | the ins and outs of the process. |
| many of them provide mentoring programs | | | | 6 - Lastly, accommodate yourself. For example, if |
| where select students can come to the home | | | | your child is entering a new school be sure to |
| and work with your child. Whatever learning gaps | | | | attend the parents orientation meeting that is |
| your child faces there is a solution but you need | | | | conducted before the first day of school begins. |
| to seek them out. | | | | At these orientations you will be able to introduce |
| 2 - Teachers are can be very accommodating. | | | | yourself to the staff, teachers, meet with |
| Many teachers have great ideas to help | | | | counselors, find out who the key people in charge |
| accommodate your child in grade school. Because | | | | of special programs. You can also get a sense of |
| they are with them daily, they know how well | | | | the philosophy of the school. When talking to |
| they have progressed. Therefore they are willing | | | | these people, be inquisitive, ask lots of questions |
| to work with you and your child if you show | | | | and let them know your are interested in your |
| interest in wanting help your child improve. You will | | | | child's school. You can even set up any future |
| be amazed at the progress they will make just | | | | meetings to help accommodate your child. |
| from this one action. | | | | These are only a few of the ideas that I have |
| 3 - Parents who volunteer. Today's teachers have | | | | used to help accommodate my son in grade |
| their hands full everyday as the classroom gets | | | | school. Your child will be unique and will need |
| smaller every year. School closures are common | | | | perhaps different types of accommodations than |
| in some cities. While colleges offer intern | | | | my experience however the processes will be |
| programs in local grade schools, most teachers will | | | | similar while advocating for your ADHD child. I |
| have to fend for themselves. Volunteering is a | | | | recommend that you take some of these |
| great activity that can have a positive affect on | | | | strategies and tailor them to your specific |
| your child but also within the classroom. | | | | situation. Be persistent, contribute ideas to work |
| Interacting with the children in a learning mode is | | | | with their teacher and you will earn the respect |
| quite an experience and very fulfilling. | | | | from the school. Remember, they also want to |
| 4 - The teacher and parent connection. Simply | | | | see your child succeed too. |