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 http://www.newideas.net, 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.
Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD as it is more commonly known, is characterized by restlessness and impulsivity. Though extensive studies have been done and are ongoing, much is still to be learnt about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder). Symptoms vary so greatly in different individuals that it makes the diagnosis and treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) very difficult. ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) can occur in childhood, but so many of its symptoms are associated with the growing pains of childhood and diagnosis is often delayed. If treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) is not begun in childhood then the conditions will usually continue into adulthood and then manifest themselves in ...
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Symptoms And Treatments Of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit Disorder is a chronic neurological disorder, which is predominantly diagnosed in children. Statistics estimates that 2-5 % of the population is affected by ADD, considering the rare possibility for cases of Adult ADD. ADD is one of the disturbing pediatric disorders in the United States, since 5 million are affected by this disorder. Attention deficit disorder is the old name of the disease with characteristic symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity, which is later renamed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD HD). The disorder is classified into three distinct subtypes, ADHD predominantly combined type, ADHD predominantly inattentive type and ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, on the b...
Why Does It Seem That There Are More Children With ADHD Than Ever Before?
Even though the percentage of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is likely the same as in the past, there are three likely reasons why it seems that "there is more ADHD" than ever before:
First, we become more aware of problems like this as parents than we were as a children. We have grown up now and we are more concerned about these issues since we have our own children.
Callin All Parents Who Are Looking For Information On ADHD
It can be hard to find good information on ADHD. We have a society that is so quick to Medicate, after all, that often other solutions are ignored. Don't get me wrong, ADHD medication can be very helpful for a lot of people. Whether you suffer from adult ADHD, ADD, or childhood attention deficit disorder, there are many medical options to choose from. Nonetheless, there has been some evidence that taking Ritalin in the long term is not very good for the health. It is easy to pop a pill, of course, but it is not the only solution. There is information on ADHD that indicates that there are other, perhaps better choices.
The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems? A powerful intervention that is clinically tested with computerized testing, not merely parent reports, has been available to the public since 1997, but is little known.
It is an over the counter product that contains specific Amino Acid combinations, Essential Fatty Acids, Phospholipid complexes, and Homeopathic Medicines.
What About ADHD Teens and Driving?
This is one of the most common questions asked of me by parents of teenagers who have ADHD.
"Should I let my teen drive when he turns 16? He seems so immature.
Adult ADHD: The Magic Egg Timer Trick
For people with Adult ADHD, focusing long enough to get even a small task done--if it is boring--can seem almost impossible! Here?s what I do when I have to focus on something that I really don't like to do, especially sitting at my desk.
The Existence Or Absence Of ADHD, Helpfull Behavioral Interventions
It is not compulsory for any very active person,which lacks attention or proves himself/herself impulsive to be affected by ADHD. It is difficult even for the specialists to determine whether is ADHD,considering that many healthy people may be distracted, may forget things or speak too much spontaneously in certain situations.
How Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Diagnosed?
Assessing whether a certain individual is suffering from Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder or not is far harder than it appears to laymen like ourselves. This is because, not only does it?s symptoms largely overlap those of hyperthyroidism etc. they are also largely exhibited by ?normal? human beings some time or the other every single day. Therefore the first important step towards diagnosing the disease is to consult a trained health care provider regarding it. Things only seem scary when we are treading over 'new ground', so to speak. Take small but deliberate steps and a positive end will begin to appear on the horizion.
Teacher Tips: Helping ADHD Students to Perform Better in Your Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Melatonin, Sleep Enhancement, and ADHD
Overview
Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is produced and secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of many hormones in the body.
Understand ADD/ADHD And Stimulant Meds
Stimulant drugs do not cure ADHD. These medications only help people with ADD or ADHD to have better control of their behaviours so that they can be productive academically, when they are at home, or when in social gatherings. Therefore, stimulant medication can be viewed just as a `tool' to alleviate problems related to ADD or ADHD. To be truly effective, stimulant medication should be taken together with behavioural skills training.
How to Get a Good Diagnosis to See If Your Child Has ADHD
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out if your child has ADHD or not. What do you do? Here are some tips from the ADHD Information Library.
Finding Natural Alternatives Adhd Children Can Use.
Most doctors, when they encounter a case of ADHD, turn to stimulant or anti-depressant drugs to counteract most of the disorders symptoms. However, in taking these drugs the effects are short lived and the medication needs to be constant. There is also the possibility of various side effects to contend with too. Because of this, it is only natural that parents try to find alternatives. Most parents are attracted by natural alternatives ADHD children can take as opposed to prescribed drugs mainly because they are considered to have less side effects. Here are some natural alternatives for ADHD that have shown promise: