This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't mean to suggest that my comments here are the definitive thoughts on the subject. For a parent to even consider the issue, things have to be pretty problematic at school. So, even though these thoughts may be inadequate to cover your individual situation, I will share them with you anyway...
Consider these things:
1. How old is your child? If you child is 4 or 5 years old (especially with males) and is struggling in Kindergarten, he may simply be too young for structured learning. Not a big deal. Bring him home and work with him for another year. I usually recommend that parents start their sons in Kindergarten at age 6 anyway. And many kids with ADHD are just so neurologically immature that they are not going to really be "ready" for a classroom setting until they are 8 or 9 or 10. So consider homeschooling the young ADHD kids.
2. If the child is older, and the reason cited is "immaturity," then ask yourself these questions: When did the "immaturity" become apparent? Did it just begin this year? Are there emotional issues, or learning disabilities, that need to be addressed? Or is it really "immaturity?" How long has the teacher felt that this was a problem? What other options exist to deal with the situation? Would your child benefit from being with students who were a year younger than himself if the problem is immaturity?
3. If the reason given for retaining the child is lack of academic progress, then ask yourself these questions: Why didn't my child learn more? Were there problems in school behavior? Poor attention span? Poor work ethic? Poor work skills? Too much TV watching? Too little parental supervision? Too much parent supervision?
Would any of these problems be fixed by holding him back, or would you just repeat the same situation over again?
Are there other options, such as tutoring, home schooling, summer school, school interventions and accommodations?
Look at all of your options first. There are dozens of things that can be done besides holding a student back a grade in school. Just some simple thoughts. Hope they help. You can learn a lot more about attention deficit disorder in children and teens at the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including attention deficit disorder , helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
one time home cleaning Highland Park ..There is little doubt that reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic are... Read More
Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
Hope, excitement and anxiety all wrapped up in fresh haircuts... Read More
Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
My daughters and I went to the beach several weeks... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Child support is defined as that part of your income... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More
Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
After giving up my profession to become a wife, a... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
Chaim Ginott was a schoolteacher whose ideas and observations helped... Read More
The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
There are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance... Read More
The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More
As the father of a toddler, I am an expert... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
Parenting |