Sep 18 2008
Thursday Thankfulness
Today I’ve got one big thing to be thankful for: I finally feel like I’m on the same page, or at least in the same chapter, as Gus’s school staff. We had a long chat last night at open school night, and the question of medication is not an issue for the time being and I think I can stop feeling so pressured about there being an agenda. If there is, I don’t think it’s the one I was worrying about. Everyone’s really thinking out of the box and they’re trying everything possible to help him achieve his considerable potential. And that’s not to say he’s doing poorly at all. Aside from having such a busy brain, he’s holding his own with much older kids. Yes, we need to find ways to help him focus at least long enough to finish a task - so that’s the goal. If anyone has any tricks for building focus (aside from martial arts and yoga) ideas are welcome.
So far we’ve tried: special cushions, a balance stool, bouncy ball chair, rewards, separate space to minimize distractions, and periods of movement throughout the day.
We’re going to try music, and I may suggest trying to use resistance bands in some way.
So, feel free to comment with your thankfulness and any thoughts you might have! Have a great day!
In about an hour is our back to school night. It lasts two hours for middle school since six periods, luckily Matt is in spec ed but will try to sit through 15 min presentation by horticulture teacher, found out from aide it is a female. Good news on the med aspect, not an easy decision to make. Did that when Matt was about 6. Geodon does not cause the weight gain or side effects we had when on Risperdal.
school and homework is a struggle for my adhd 7th grader. Headphones and music helped him focus ALOT in 4th and 5th grade. All the tools and strategies go out the window in middle school, though. How frustrating it must be to try so hard… yet the “accomplishment” goes unnoticed because it really is just the normal thing that everybody else is doing. But when the concentration is broken and a mistake is made, everybody notices that and jumps on you. I am accused of coddling. Hang in there. When it comes down to it, you’re the only one fighting for him in class.
Yikes! I didn’t really flow with the THANKFUL theme did I? Well it is Friday now.
This issue just happens to be the most stressful one in my life. I am thankful he got all his homework done in time to go outside and play with his buddies!
As I was reading I was going to suggest music, but you got there first! I’m glad he is doing well.
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
Is he receiving Occupational Therapy? I see signs of a sensory diet in some of the things you have tried, but there are so many more. Doing an environmental assessment helps to. Some kids need a plain room- no stimuli. It is really about trial and error.
I am thankful that my kids give me so many opportunities to learn
I was going to say music. I find that when I have problems holding my attention to something, especially things I hate doing, that music clams me long enough to finsih what I must do.
Since you asked, I will suggest looking into the Feingold Diet if you haven’t already. Might help, couldn’t hurt.