What helped your challenging kids do well in school?

Log in / Sign Up

List of Forums + New Post Recipe Box Usergroups Following My Posts Bookmarks

Private Messages Advanced Search Rules New User Guide FAQ Advertise Contact Us

Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)

View latest: 24h 48h 72h

amother

Fri, Jul 14 2023, 5:06 pm

I'm an intervention specialist (special ed teacher) and I'm starting a new job in a jewish school. Until now I worked for a public school district, but I got fed up with the politics there. I'll have a class of boys with learning disabilities, adhd, behavior issues and trouble with emotional regulation who've never felt successful in school and honestly never got the help they deserved. The school means well but doesn't have a lot of resources. I have my own strong opinions about how to help these boys make great progress and feel good about themselves, but I'd love to hear other people's experiences about what helped their sons the most. I'm used to my students having a shorter day and only English, so this is going to be a change for me.

mha3484

Fri, Jul 14 2023, 5:08 pm

What age are the boys?

mha3484

Fri, Jul 14 2023, 5:14 pm

I have 3 boys with ADHD in a boys yeshiva and all are K'AH doing well. My kids school is really into colloborative problem solving. There has been a big shift away from rules and instead they use expectations. Its so much more positive. These boys try so hard and the more behavioral based systems like PBIS just wear them down and make them feel like they cant. Then you spiral into behavioral problems.

Positive discipline has made a real difference.

This podcast from my sons menahel had a lot of good things to say. https://www.chinuchshow.com/di.....ller/

amother

Fri, Jul 14 2023, 5:21 pm

6th grade. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

amother

Dandelion

Fri, Jul 14 2023, 6:57 pm

What helped my son was to move him to a school for boys with hdhd. They have a very elaborate points and reward system. They all knew what was expected of them and the assistants made sure to keep track of the behavior and points throughout the day.

TwinsMommy

Fri, Jul 14 2023, 7:32 pm

how is the sensory room in your building? Is it well stocked? If not, can you have some items in your classroom to use proactively at various break points for heavy work and squeezing and bouncing etc? Rather than wait till a child NEEDS a sensory break, prep sensory breaks for the whole class pro-actively.

curlyhead

Sat, Jul 15 2023, 5:39 pm

Focus on the kids postive. Make them feel amazing abot themselves. Many kids with adhd are very creative and out of the box thinners Allow them to use their creativity.
Allow them to move and take frequent breaks.

amother

Sun, Jul 16 2023, 12:16 pm

Yes I'm planning lots of movement breaks flexible seating etc. Lots of structure and clear expectations. Any other tips especially regarding the long school day for these kids? I appreciate everyone's responses.

amother

White

Sun, Jul 16 2023, 12:24 pm

Honestly having gen ed teachers who are trained in accommodations and differentiation was the most important. My kids don't belong in special ed and can be accommodated when done right. Unfortunately in our yeshivas most teachers don't have the training which leads to kids being kicked out needlessly.

amother

Aquamarine

Tue, Aug 01 2023, 10:55 pm

2 kids with adhd here...
1. Meds.
2. Meds.
3. Meds

But the school shouldn't force unless they happen to have an MD on staff. We did it independently. They can force the kid to get an evaluation but they shouldn't say (as I heard from others) "if they aren't on Ritalin don't send them back". Because even with ADHD that med isn't foe everyone. And maybe it isn't adhd but another issue...

Next- teachers who understand basic accommodations such as sitting in the front of the room. Such a simple request, right? 2 years ago the teacher refused, said it wouldn't work, teacher didnt want it yadda yadda. Didn't even try it out. My kid sat in the back and didn't accomplish much. The following year my kid sat in the front and did amazingly!
Also- when the teacher gives a test he/she should make sure the room is quiet. My kid couldn't focus on the spelling list etc and therefore didn't do well when at home did fine. The teacher should make sure kids are quiet and not distracting others.

Page 1 of 1