[blparent] children, behavior problems and ADD

[jan wright]

Hi Tammy,
when people do these tests, ask them to find out how your child learns best.
Maybe he is bored because the teacher is teaching something in a
learning style that is just not helpful for him.
Honestly, and this is just me, I have found that labels do more damage
than good.
Not only do they put people in a box, but they tend to prescribe
certain treatments, expectations, etc.
None of us fall clearly into these boxes, though and it can be
detramental to someone's psychological well being to have a label
follow him or her around all the time.
I know that they can be useful, but people spend too much time on the
label and not enough time on just finding solutions that work. (JMHO).
I would opt for medication as a last resort, if necessary.
But, even if you do the meds (if the tests show that he needs them),
you can start teaching him ways to stay on task or to focus. These
tips will be more helpful than meds, in the long run. they just
require more work from you, the teacher and ultimately, the kid.
If tests show nothing, you can still teach focussing tips, etc. So,
label or no label, meds or no meds, you can target the challenge and
find a solution... ... you know????
And, it could be the teacher's style of teaching or the paperwork
involved, or other things. You can teach him ways to deal with boring
teachers and paperwork.
Jan