Hello IM. So.. I have a daughter who is in year 6, 11 years old, who is diagnosed with ADHD. Has been for a couple of years now, and on non stimulant medications (going to soon see pediatrician to ask about a stimulant medication at next visit) as her symptoms have gotton worse. Her ADD is the inattentive type. Please if anyone can share their own experiences and thoughts with me (if they have been through this with their own children who're also ADHD/ADD diagnosed, especially ADD inattentive), to assist with my troubles I seem to be having regarding the school she attends.
I understand that integrating a child into a classroom with 28 neurotypical children is difficult, and there only may be 1 to 3 children with additional needs/who are neurodiverse, like my child, in the classroom. However my issue is she isn't eligible for an integration aid, but I wish she were, but unfortunately ADHD is not considered for integration aid funding support. Therefore my daughter is falling between the cracks, she is being told things like hurry up! You take too long!! Stop pretending to be busy, when you're not!! The Teacher has said things like you're not ready for grade 6. If it takes this long. Other phrases like now who do you ask, who who, why are you not asking!! My daughter feels silly, embarrassed, she is aware of her disability, the last thing she needs is the teacher to ridicule her with hurtful comments (whether the teacher realises it or not).
I have already pulled up the teacher in the nicest calmest way 3 weeks ago, emailed the school with endless information about ADHD etc, have spoken to the teacher verbally, however a few weeks on, nothing has really improved in the classroom. She is pulled up in front of her peers, basically embarrassed in front of others, with comments like above, hurry up, now what did I say before? What are you doing now ? It is just so disheartening for us parents to hear this from her. I feel the school should be finding ways to help her integrate into the classroom using other support tools. I guess I'm just asking if anyone else has found their child's school to not really be helping, and what do I do from Here? Do I contact the education department? I have sent another email this week to the school principal detailing all my thoughts about my daughters experiences so far for term 1. What else can I do?. Are these comments from the teacher acceptable? Thank you.
2 Replies
No they’re not acceptable.
You need to meet with the teacher and possibly Sep teacher. Your daughter does not get any extra support under ADD - BUT - your teacher has a duty to meet her needs and it sounds like she either has no understanding of your daughters daignosis or ways to adjust for her. While it’s a bit condescending to ask the teacher to educate themselves, you have to advocate for your daughter and there’s clearly a gap there, SEP can explain and offer strategies.
Keep pushing the teachers as much as you can, file complaints and do whatever is necessary to get your child the support she needs. This happened to my son when he was in high school.
He was subjected to humiliation and ostracised by his peers as a result and he did slip through the cracks because the school wiped their hands of him.
He is now finding his own path and has left school many years ago (he’s now 25)
It took a lot of years to finally get here and looking back I wish I pushed back harder for him.
So don’t ever stop.