School Choices for ADD Students

Does your ADD child attend public school? Have you ever considered alternatives?

My kids attended public schools. We lived in an area known for it’s quality education, and the fact that we didn’t have to pay for it was an important consideration, too. All of my children had some difficulties in school because of their ADD, but they each managed to get through it with a fair amount of success.

It has often been suggested, however, that private schools offer students with Attention Deficit Disorder a greater chance at scholastic success. Part of the reason is that private schools tend to have smaller class sizes than public schools, allowing the teacher more one on one time with students.

Another reason is that private schools often have stricter rules and a more structured environment than public schools. In addition, you may find that private school students take their studies more seriously, which can create a postive kind of peer pressure.

But what if you can’t afford a private school, or want other alternatives?

You might consider home schooling. I confess, I used to look down on parents who home schooled, because I felt that they couldn’t possibly teach their children all subjects at all grade levels and do a good job.

I’ve changed my mind since then. Most states monitor home schooling parents to make sure that the children are getting the education they need. In addition, there are all sorts of groups and resources out there to help home schooling parents do a better job.

Parents who home school can offer their children a much richer learning environment than any classroom can, provided they make the effort. Lessons can be tailored to the way your child learns, and can capitalize on their interests. I think that an ADD student might do very well in such an environment.

Of course, home schooling isn’t for everyone, but it is an option.

Another option, depending on where you live, are schools designed especially for students with Attention Deficit Disorder. There are a few of them throughout the country, and the ones that I’m aware of have very good reputations. Cost, of course, is a consideration.

Even if you end up sending your ADD student to public school, there are things you can do to make the experience more beneficial to your child. I’ll address some of those things next time.

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Organizing ADHD

The other day, my daughter confided to me that she had created a “genius” organizational system for school. She color coded books, notebooks, and folders by subject, making it easier for her to find the right materials for each class.

It is a great idea, but sorry to say, she didn’t invent it. And although it’s something I’ve recommended to students in the past, I didn’t invent it either.

None of that matters, of course, as long as the system works. I find that some students with Attention Deficit Disorder do well with this sort of organizational system.

For others, however, it can be confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating. They may have trouble remembering which color goes with which subject, or they may find that it’s just too many things to keep track of.

If that’s the case for your ADHD student, consider simplifying. I suggest one large, multi-subject spiral notebook (with built in pocket dividers) or two, at the most, depending on how many classes the notebook needs to cover. If you have to use two, divide them in a logical manner, such as morning and afternoon classes, or classes that take place on the same days.

I like spiral notebooks because the papers are attached and in order. If you have to tear one out to hand in, most notebooks these days have a clean tear perforated margin. Any loose papers can be put into the pocket divider.

Another alternative is one big folder. You use one side for papers coming home and the other for papers going to school. The disadvantage of this is that it can get messy, so it will need periodic clearing out. Also, papers may be harder to find and easier to lose. The advantage, however, is that it’s one thng to keep track of instead of many.

Spend some time with your ADHD student and see which idea fits them best.

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Fashion, Style, and ADHD

I’m a big fan of the show “What Not to Wear” on TLC. For those of you who don’t know about it, each week the show picks someone who’s been nominated by their friends or family because of their fashion disasters.

The shows hosts, Stacey and Clinton, critique the person’s wardrobe, make suggestions on better choices, and then give them $5,000.00 to buy a new wardrobe. They also get their hair and make-up done.

I find it really interesting to see what a difference simple changes can make; it’s sort of like a Cinderella story each week.

The other day, one of the hosts made a comment to the person they were helping, and it really stuck with me. The woman in question had a tendency to wear loud, brightly printed pants (often a little too short) with colorful socks and clogs. Her everyday look was almost clownish; it was hard to believe that a professional would wear such clothes to work.

One of the hosts remarked to her that dressing in this manner was a form of defense mechanism. Wearing such over the top clothes took all the attention away from her and focused it on what she was wearing. If people found her unappealing, unprofessional, or just not worthy of attention, she could always blame it on her wardrobe; people would never get past the awful clothes to see the real person underneath.

When I heard that remark, it hit a little close to home. I can remember going through a phase in my younger years when I tended to dress a little “quirky”, and I can see now that that is exactly what I was doing. I was always the new girl at school, cause we tended to move a lot, and when you add in shyness and ADD, it made life difficult. Wearing crazy clothes took the attention away from me, and kept most people away, too. The few people who did approach me were those with their own battle scars and we could relate.

Now’s the time of year when kids go back to school shopping. Even if you don’t buy anything new this year, take a good look at what your child chooses to dress in, and how they present themselves.

It’s one thing to adopt a look that lots of other kids are wearing, too, (regardless of how you think it looks) and quite another to set your own style, especially if it’s a style that would tend to put people off.

Kids with Attention Deficit Disorder sometimes become the class clown in order to hide their shortcomings. Dressing in a weird style is another way to sort of do the same thing, although it’s not attention or laughter they’re looking for.

If you find that your child is dressing in a manner that concerns you, recognize it as the outer signs of a deeper problem. The answer is to help them work through whatever issues are troubling them, and that might mean a therapist or other professional.

Don’t ask them to change the way they look; allow them to be who they are right now. If you seek the help they need, their clothing and outward appearance will be a reflection of what’s going on inside, and you will see changes begin to take place.

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