Memory Techniques to Help Your LD Child

Does your LD child have problems remembering certain facts in science, math, history or English class? Have you tried using mnemonics (pronounced ni-mon-iks) to help him recall facts?

These memorization techniques have been invaluable in my son's schooling. A few of his favorites include:

• ROY G BIV
  Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.
  (This helps students remember the order of the colors in a rainbow)

• Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
  Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
  (This allows students to remember the Order of Operations in math)

• My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles
  Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
  (This is an easy way to remember the order of the planets from the sun out)

• Thirty days hath September, ...
  (I even use this mnemonic to help me remember the number of days each month)
  Thirty days hath September,
  April, June, and November;
  All the rest have thirty-one
  Excepting February alone:
  Which hath but twenty-eight, in fine,
  Till leap year gives it twenty-nine.

• HOMES
  Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior
  (An easy way to remember the five Great Lakes)

• In 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue

For additional mnemonics and other memory techniques you can utilize to help your child, visit these websites:

• http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/mnemonics.htm
• http://www.web-us.com/memory/mnemonic_techniques.htm

Does your child need to remember something that you can't find a mnemonic for? Visit the following site, which offers a free mnemonic generator:

• http://spot.colorado.edu/~sonderga/mnemonic.html

Book Reports and Your ADHD Child

My ADHD son is now in middle school. I was more worried about his starting the sixth grade than he was. I knew what was in his future...lockers, gym class, harder assignments and... BOOK REPORTS!

To say my son is a reluctant reader would be the understatement of the decade. How would he ever read (an entire book) and then report on what he read?! He generally loses interest in a book after just a couple of pages. I decided to cross that bridge when we came to it and not dwell on the inevitable.

Well, that bridge (and the inevitable) came the second semester of this school year. His English teacher announced that the class would be required to read any biographical book in the school library and write a book report on what they'd read. She assured me, and a few other concerned parents, that she would make it a positive experience. I had my doubts.

My son chose the biography of R.L. Stine, the author of the Goosbumps book series. Interesting, I thought. The book was around the same length of most books in the series, 136 pages. That, however, seemed insurmountable to my son.

I'm happy to report that he finished the report on time and even got a B+ on the assignment. How did it do it? With a little help from me and a lot of creativity from his teacher, it was easy.

Tips for book report success:

• Allow the student a lengthy amount of time to "read" the book. My son's teacher allowed them six weeks to read a little over 100 pages... this amounted to a little over 3 pages a day!


• Allow the student to listen to the book on CD while following along in the book. This appeals to both visual and auditory learners.


• Allow the student to type the report. The thought of hand writing a book report will overwhelm many students. Tell them they can type it on a computer and the stress will be instantly lessened.


• Allow the students to work in teams. Students will feed off of each other.


• Allow the students to give oral, rather than written, book report presentations.

These are just a few things that my son's teacher did to ensure her class' success. You can find additional tips on the ADDitude Magazine website. When your child's teacher mentions those two dreaded words...book report...there's no need to cringe!

Eliminating Grade Levels in Public Schools

In last Sunday's Parade Magazine I read an article entitled The End of Grade Levels? and found it quite intriguing. The theory is based on the fact that children learn in different ways and at various rates. What takes one student one hour to learn may take another student a full day to grasp.

The practice of placing students in grades according to their age is being changed. Some schools are beginning to place students in classes according to their ability.

This has already been implemented in the Chugach school district in Alaska. In just five years, that district's achievement scores have gone from being the lowest in the state to among the highest. Schools nationwide are beginning to give this new approach a try.

I can definitely see how this approach would benefit my ADHD/LD son. This is the teaching model one school we previously considered for our son used. Although we decided against placing our son in that school, it had nothing to do with their lack of grade levels.

I think my son would excel in an environment that accommodated his learning disabilities. If he were surrounded by other students, regardless of their age, who were having difficulties as well, he would be more comfortable and relaxed. He wouldn't feel like the "dumb one" when he didn't understand a concept that the rest of the class mastered easily. Everyones learning curve would be relatively the same, reducing his anxiety.

I would love to see every school district in the U.S. give parents and students the option... attend a school with grade levels or without. I know that will never happen, but I can dream.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you think your child would benefit from this type of classroom environment? Do you see any negatives?

By the way, Parade Magazine has created a poll to see how m any of their readers agree and disagree with the idea of not having grade levels in schools. So far their readers are in favor of it.... 79% for and 21% against.

Elementary Teacher Gives Students the World

They ate with chopsticks in Japan, made piñatas and dove into chips and salsa in
Mexico and threw boomerangs in Australia.

And on Thursday and Friday, Debbie Suhrie's first-grade students ate fruit kabobs as they kicked back at their desks and listened to steel drum music in their Jamaican-themed classroom.


Every six weeks, Suhrie's students pack their bags, prepare their passports and head out for a cultural classroom adventure.

Suhrie, 55, believes in the old saying, "If you can reach them, you can teach them." So she taps into her creativity to figure out how to reach every one of her students.

Now that's what creative teaching is all about! This teacher was nominated for, awarded and certainly earned the Golden Apple Award.

Wouldn't it be amazing if all, or at least many more, teachers went above and beyond the call of duty to teach our children. Think of the possibilities. Countless students could be reached with creative teaching.

Kudos to you, Mrs. Suhrie. You wouldn't want to relocate to Virginia any time soon would you?

You can read the article in its entirety via NewsPress.com.

All teachers have to do is ditch the classroom chair. A growing number are replacing them with exercise stability balls more associated with Pilates classes than schoolroom lectures as an innovative way to improve student posture and attention.

"They're awesome," gushed 10-year-old James Howell, a fourth-grader at Bauder Elementary School whose class switched to purple stability balls in January. "They help you focus, they help you keep your structure. And sometimes you get to bounce on them, get the wiggles out."

I can definitely see how these would benefit all children. Even children that do not have a diagnosed disability get the "wiggles" sometimes. Kudos to this school for thinking outside of the box and for doing whatever is necessary to promote the students' ability to learn.

Do you think these would benefit your child? Should they be required in schools. Or, should children at least have the option to use them if they choose?

You can read the full story via the San Francisco Chronicle website.

My ADHD/LD Son is Thriving at his Title 1 School

Prior to moving to Virginia in December 2007, my ADHD/LD son attended a brand new $11 million school. It was state-of-the-art with all of the bells and whistles. Even though the lights turned on automatically when entering a room, the special education services were lacking to say the least. Yes, the school made adequate yearly progress each year, but that did not benefit my son in the least.

He had an IEP, which was rarely followed by his teachers. He saw the resource teacher for two hours each day but continued to stay well below grade level in every subject. He felt like an outsider and was well aware that he was "different."

Since moving to Virginia, his entire school experience has completely changed. The school he attends now is a Title 1 school.....

Please visit Trusera to continue reading this post. :)

Supplemental Educational Services for Your ADHD/LD Child

The following is information taken from the U.S. Dept. of Education website. If your child attends a Title 1 school that is in need of improvement, he may qualify for free tutoring services. Read the following to find out more.

Low-income families can enroll their child in supplemental educational services if their child attends a Title I school that has been designated by the state to be in need of improvement for more than one year. The term "supplemental educational services" refers to free extra academic help, such as tutoring or remedial help, that is provided to students in subjects such as reading, language arts, and math. This extra help can be provided before or after school, on weekends, or in the summer.

Each State Education Agency is required to identify organizations that qualify to provide these services. Districts must make a list available to parents of state-approved supplemental educational services providers in the area and must let parents choose the provider that will best meet the educational needs of the child.

Providers of supplemental educational services may include nonprofit entities, for-profit entities, local educational agencies, public schools, public charter schools, private schools, public or private institutions of higher education, and faith-based organizations. Entities that would like to be included on the list of eligible providers must contact their state education agency and meet the criteria established by the state to be considered for the list of eligible providers.

Supplemental Education Frequently Asked Questions.

Free Webcast Seminar Focuses on Homework

Is school painful for your child and your family?

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions below, Dr. Linda Silbert can help you at her FREE weekly "Let's Talk About School" Tele-Webcast on Tuesday evenings at 9pm EST.

• Does your child struggle in school with reading, writing, or arithmetic?
• Does he need help with homework, study skills, or organizational skills?
• Does she have dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, or another LD?
• Does he have low self-esteem due to school related issues?
• Do you and your child have problems communicating with each other?

Join her FREE 1-hr. "Let's Talk About Homework,

Topic: Math Made Easy"

Teleseminar-Webcast and Get Answers

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 (5pm PST / 8pm EST)

I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for those ADHD/LD parents whose children are having difficulty in school and with homework. To register for her weekly webcasts, visit her website.

Slaying the Middle School Dragon for your ADHD Child

In my last story I explained that my ADHD/LD son will be starting middle school this fall. Middle school! I feel like we've just gotten the hang of elementary school.

Starting this fall there will be an entirely new set of worries: changing classes seven times a day, being the new kid on the block, the intimidation factor and socializing with kids in their teens. Then there are the smaller worries... lockers, remembering his combination, learning a whole new routine, making new friends, etc.....

You can read the rest of this post on Trusera.

Helping Your LD Child Conquer Homework

If your LD child is anything like mine, he is easily frustrated when doing homework. The sheer amount of homework intimidates him from the very beginning. He has assignments to complete in two, three and sometimes four subjects in one night. Since his ADHD and LD prevent him from being able to prioritize and plan ahead, he has no idea where to even begin. This is where I come in.

While I want him to learn independence and self reliance, I also do not want him to flounder and fail because he simply cannot accurately determine which assignments to complete when. Consider this...

The National Institute of Health say that 75% to 80% of special education students identified as LD have their basic deficits in language and reading. Thirty-five percent of students identified with learning disabilities drop out of high school. This is twice the rate of their non-disabled peers. A National Longitudinal Transition Study indicated that 62% of learning disabled students are typically unemployed one year after graduation.

My LD son is already in the 75% - 80% of LD students whose deficits are in language and reading. Do I really want him to join the ranks of the high school drop outs and unemployed too? I think not! That's why it is so important that we help our LD students now, while they are in elementary and middle school.

It is up to us to help them not get frustrated and aggravated with school, especially when it comes to homework. Homework is a necessary evil that they will encounter their entire school careers so we needs to encourage them and help them get through it when necessary. Hopefully, our help will deter them from giving up and giving in.

So, what do I do to help my son in his daily homework struggles? I'm so glad you asked. Here are a few tried and true tips that work in my house:

1. Have a set time to do homework. My son gets 30 - 45 minutes every day to unwind after school. During this time he can do whatever he'd like, except leave the house. This helps him relax and de-stress from the school day.


2. Create a homework toolbox. Ours is actually a divided tub that holds everything he could possibly need to successfully complete his homework: sharpened pencils, erasers, markers, pens, glue stick, scissors, ruler and calculator and pencil sharpener. We store it in the same place so he always knows right where to find it.
   
3. Be lenient when it comes to where homework is to be completed. Some children like the kitchen table and like being in the center of everything. My son prefers his room however. He likes the quiet that the seclusion provides. He does have to leave his door partly open though so I can make frequent checks as I pass by (just to make sure he isn't goofing off).


4. Allow your child to listen to music if that helps. Some children require complete silence in order to concentrate and think. Others like to have something to listen to while they work, provided it isn't too distracting.


5. Help your child establish what needs to be done and when. We use a calendar for this purpose. By seeing what is due when, my son can visualize when he needs to begin working on a project. He can also see how long he has to complete it.


6. Always go over your child's homework once completed. This will assure him that you care and that he is going to have to be accountable for his work. However, always comment of the correct work before pointing out the items he made a mistake on. This will help encourage him and help build his confidence.


7. Help your child learn study skills. My son is in the fifth grade and is just now getting the hang of studying for a test. Before, he had no clue how to do this. We have successfully used flashed cards in the past as a form of studying. I let him make them which also helps him remember what he's written. We have also recorded test information onto a tape/CD so he can listen to it. This has helped him as well.


8. Perhaps most importantly, do not under any circumstances do your child's homework for him. This will only sabotage him. It is okay to help and offer suggestions, but not to do the actual work. After all, he is the one that is supposed to be learning... not you!

While we, as parents, could not control the fact that our children are LD. We can help insure that they do not become another statistic. With our love, assistance and encouragement we can help make sure that they rise above their LD. It all starts with helping them over the hurdle of homework. Once they conquer that, they'll be better prepared for the next.

ADHD/LD Children & Learning Lessons... the hard way

As the parent of an ADHD/LD child, I often watch helplessly as he endures trial after trial. Difficulty reading, not comprehending his math homework, not quite fitting in with his peers. It's painful and hard to stand idly by.

My first instinct used to be to jump right in and fight every battle for him. I figured the hand he was dealt in life was hard enough so what would be the harm in helping him when I could. If he forgot his homework at school I'd go get it afterwards. Or, I'd call other students, parents or teachers to get the information he needed. If he forgot his lunch money on the kitchen table, I would make sure it was in the cafeteria before he needed it. I just wanted to make his life easier any way I could.

However, I soon came to realize that he used my diligence as a crutch. He knew he didn't have to worry about things because mom would always be there to straighten things out if need be. He didn't make an effort to bring his school books home or complete his homework assignments. He just assumed that I would take care of things for him.

He recently called me from school frantic because he left his homework in his room. He said if he didn't turn it in my 11:00 a.m. points would be deducted from his grade. Now, this wasn't the first time he'd called me with an urgent request from school. Did I rush his work to school? No I did not! It was at that moment that I realized he needed to take responsibility for his actions.
All this time I had been trying to help him when in fact I had been doing the opposite. I had been teaching him that there were no consequences for irresponsibility. That was the last thing I wanted to do.

When he got home from school that day he was angry that I hadn't brought his work to him at school. I asked if he knew it was due that day. He said, "yes." I asked if he had done the work. Again he said, "yes." I then asked him who was responsible for turning the work in. He looked at my, quite puzzled, and said "me." I said, "exactly." When then discussed how he needs to take responsibility for his actions and how he is perfectly capable of doing so. He reluctantly agreed with me.

That was a hard lesson to let him learn, but I'm glad I did it. Since then, he has made sure is homework is in his backpack each night before going to bed. I'm proud of him and I'm certain he is proud of himself as well. He stepped up to the plate and (finally) hit a home run.

Virtual Schooling for ADHD Children

In my local paper today I read an article about virtual schooling. It is offered in a nearby county. Non-residents of that county (and reside in Virginia) can pay a fee of $600 per child and attend the virtual school as well.

The article mentioned two children who began the school 2008-2009 school year in an actual public school. However, after suddenly hating school after previously loving it, the children's mother took them out of the public school. She paid the required fee ($1200 total) and enrolled them in the virtual school. After eight weeks, she reports that her children are much happier and performing better academically.

I know what you are thinking... what is the difference between home schooling and virtual schooling? Per Answers.com, homeschooling is "An educational alternative in which children are educated at home and in the community, in contrast to a compulsory education which takes place in an institution such as a publicly-run or privately run school." Virtual schooling on the other hand is a web-based program where students complete the required work at home. The students are under the supervision of an accredited teacher.

The school mentioned in the piece, Bedford Academy of Virtual Learning, has students enrolled from 20 counties in Virginia. The Academy is a part of the Bedford county school system. Therefore, enrolled students are required to take the standardized Standards of Learning (SOL) tests like other public school children in Virginia.

I can definitely see how this type of learning environment could benefit some ADHD students. Many are well behind their peers and perform below grade level. While IEP's can help some ADHD students who are struggling, teacher cut backs and lack of funding can often make individualized attention impossible. Many ADHD children also have low self esteem and are targets for bullies. By attending school virtually, this problem would all but be eliminated. The only drawback I can see is not being able to participate in extracurricular activities. However, this could be attained through community activities I suppose.

My ADHD son is happy in public school. In fact, he absolutely loves it! He would absolutely hate to be taken out of it. But, if your child is struggling and you have wondered what other options are out there, you may want to consider virtual schooling as an option. For more information you can visit the K12 website (this is the curriculum that Bedford County uses).

Bridging the Gap Family Forum

If you are in the Roanoke, VA area, you'll want to attend the Bridging the Gap Family Forum that is coming up. It is being sponsored by Family Service of Roanoke Valley.

Who should attend: Families and caregivers raising challenging children, including those with special needs, educators, and community members who support vulnerable children.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Where: Roanoke Plaza Hotel, 2801 Hershberger Road (formerly the Wyndham)

Fee: Free

You can pre-register online at http://www.fsrv.org/. For more information please visit the Family Service of Roanoke Valley's website. See you there!

Teacher Absences vs. Student Achievement

My son's teacher has been absent ten days during the last month. This means that for the past 30 days, 1/3 of his school instruction has been administered by substitute teachers {at least 4 different ones that I am aware of}.

Substitutes are just that, substitutes. Generally they are not familiar with the day-to-day routine of the classroom, are not familiar with the students and definitely cannot call on them by name.

This has created quite a problem for my ADHD/LD son. Like most ADHD/LD children, he thrives on routine. He comes home all out of sorts because his day has been "terrible," a.k.a. chaotic and unorganized. I listen intently and try to empathize with him. However, this is of little comfort to him.

I am certain his regular teacher leaves lesson plans for the substitute, but that still isn't the same. Every teacher has their own unique style of teaching and interacts with students differently. In addition, the sub is not familiar with the material the students have been studying. Therefore, it is inevitable that student's grades will suffer.

10 days of teacher absence is equivalent to a student drawing a rookie teacher rather than a second-year teacher. ---CEA

My question is... Why are student absences more closely watched than teacher's? I think it is just as important for teachers to show up regularly as it is for students. Do you agree? Should there be consequences for excessive teacher absences?

Utilizing Online Resources to Help with Homework

I recently wrote a two part story entitled Homework & Your ADHD/LD Child on Trusera. Since homework seems to be a major issue with so many ADHD & LD children, I have a few more tips to pass along.

My son all too often would forget his reading book at school. Some years I purchase an extra set of textbooks to keep at home in case this happens. However, that can be quite expensive. Another solution I found for this problem was utilizing my local library. Every single story that was in his school issued textbook was taken from an actual children's book. So... I would identify which stories his class would be reading in the next two or three weeks. Then, I would go to the library and the check out the actual books. This way, if he forgot his textbook, no problem!

Also, his school uses the Harcourt Trophies series of reading textbooks. This site offers a wonderful resource for student's to use at home. You can choose your child's grade level from kindergarten to sixth grade. {This is great because my two sons are in the second and fifth grade.} After choosing the appropriate grade level, you will find a multitude of learning options.

My sons find this site fun and entertaining. It much for fun that sitting down to do homework with pencil and paper. Don't get me wrong, they still complete their assignments. We use the online resources if they are having problems with a particular subject and it works wonders.

In the past, we have also utilized the Houghton Mifflin Education Place website as well. This site offers "textbook support materials" for every subject: reading, math, science, history and spelling. You will find an enormous amount of material to supplement what your child is learning at school. And again, my boys actually enjoy learning this way.

So, have your child bring home his textbooks. Take a quick look and see what company his school is using. Most textbooks will list their textbook support website at the bottom of the pages. If not, just do a search on the web. I bet you'll find a related website.

Homework & Your ADHD/LD Child

I have just completed a two-part story about homework and your ADHD/LD child on the health site Trusera.  Part one details general views about the demands of homework currently placed on students.  I also offer my own opinions on the subject.  In part two, I share homework tips that I have successfully used with my ADHD/LD son for over five years.  I invite you to stop by and take a look.  Feel free to let me know what you think.

Six Proven Classroom Accommodations for ADHD and LD Students

According to an article on AdditudeMag.com, the following six accommodations are most effective for ADHD and/or LD children:

1. Seating the student near the teacher and away from doors and windows.
2. Allowing a student to tape-record assignments.
3. Providing the child with a note-taking partner.
4. Giving a lighter homework load.
5. Granting extra time for test-taking.
6. Letting the student run occasional errands for the teacher.

My eleven year old ADHD/LD son is currently using four of these accommodations.  He is seated close to the "core of instruction."  This has been an effective way to help keep him focused.  His teachers also give him a lighter homework load.  Instead of twenty spelling words each week, he has ten.  Instead of thirty math problems, he is only required to complete the even numbered ones.  This reduced homework has really helped ease his homework stress. 

He is also given extra time to take all of his tests.  He is usually taken to a separate room {along with a few of his classmates who also have ADHD/LD} to complete his tests.  This allows him to concentrate better as it is quieter.  The teacher or aide also reads each test aloud to him as reading is one of his learning disabilities.

Finally, the teachers are all kind enough to let my son run quick errands for them... taking the lunch count to the cafeteria, picking up copied material in the copy room, etc.  This allows him to use up some of his built up energy and also helps to increase his self-esteem as well.  He is most pleased that the teachers trust him enough to carry out their requests.

We have not tried using the other two accommodations, tape recording and a note-taking partner.  For now, each child in his class has an assignment notebook that they write their daily assignments in.  The teacher writes the assignments on the board and the students copy them into their notebook.  This has worked great at helping him get a Little more organized.  A note-taking partner isn't necessary at this stage either.  Since he is only in the fifth grade, there really is no note-taking yet.  This may be an option we use in the near future though.

Top 10 Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do

Recenlty I received this in my inbox (courtesy of the National PTA) and wanted to share it with you.

Be involved. Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.

Provide resources at home for learning. Utilize your local library, and have books and magazines available in your home. Read with your children each day.

Set a good example. Show your children by your own actions that you believe reading is both enjoyable and useful. Monitor television viewing and the use of videos and game systems.

Encourage students to do their best in school. Show your children that you believe education is important and that you want them to do their best.

Value education and seek a balance between schoolwork and outside activities. Emphasize your children's progress in developing the knowledge and skills they need to be successful both in school and in life.

Recognize factors that take a toll on students' classroom performance:

• Consider the possible negative effects of long hours at after-school jobs or in extracurricular activities. Work with your children to help them maintain a balance between school responsibilities and outside commitments.
• View drinking and excessive partying as serious matters. While most parents are concerned about drug abuse, many fail to recognize that alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and common substances used as inhalants are more frequently abused than illegal drugs.

Support school rules and goals. Take care not to undermine school rules, discipline, or goals.

Use pressure positively. Encourage children to do their best, but don't pressure them by setting goals too high or by scheduling too many activities.

Call teachers early if you think there's a problem while there is still time to solve it. Don't wait for teachers to call you.

Accept your responsibility as parents. Don't expect the school and teachers to take over your obligations as parents. Teach children self-discipline and respect for others at home -- don't rely on teachers and schools to teach these basic behaviors and attitudes.

Since this is the start of a brand new school year, I think it would benefit us all to take these ten things to heart. After all, we want to do everything we possibly can to make our ADHD/LD child's school experience a positive one, right? I thought so.

For more information about the National PTA visit their website.

Routines and Your ADHD Child

My 11 year old ADHD son does best if he knows what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. He flourishes on consistency. This is especially true during the school year. He also likes to "see" things. He's definitely a visual learner.

To help make our morning and after school routines run as smoothly as possible, I use charts. There are numerous free charts available on the Internet. Personally I prefer the ones at dltk’s website. They are completely customizable.

After customizing and printing the chart, I slip it into a clear sheet protector. This makes it reusable! We simply use a dry erase marker to check off each task as they are completed. Then, wipe it clean with a wet cloth and it’s good to go the next day.
My son's chart lists what he is to do each morning in the order he is to do it. For example:

7:00 Out of bed
7:05 Get dressed
7:10 Brush teeth and hair
7:15 Eat Breakfast
7:25 leave for bus stop
7:30 Bus arrives

Since my son can not tell time, he uses digital clocks to help guide him along. I placed a digital clock in his bedroom, the bathroom and in the kitchen. This keeps him on task and lets him know how he’s doing time wise.

Of course I still monitor his progress and give subtle reminders if necessary. However, for the most part, he is out the door on time and has completed all of the necessary tasks. This helps him feel more independent which he loves.

Also, to make sure our mornings go smoothly we prepare what we can the night before. His backpack if packed and waiting by the door. His shoes are there as well. He lays out his clothes the night before. We also place his medication and glasses on the kitchen counter so they will not be forgotten.

When my son was younger I used clip art to identify each task. Even though he could not read, the pictures told him what needed to be done.

My younger son (who is not ADHD) recently requested his own chart. He wanted to “be like Bubby.” I was happy to comply. Now they compete to see who can check off all of their boxes first each morning.

Back to School Tips for You... the ADHD/LD Parent

Not only is it important to prepare your child to go back to school, but you need to prepare as well. These are the things I do to prepare myself for a successful school year:

• Purchase a monthly calendar - I use this strictly for school related activities. I record my son's upcoming tests, project deadlines and activities. It's an easy way to he and I top see what's coming up on the weeks ahead.
  


• Update your Resource Notebook - I make sure all paperwork and report cards from the previous school year are included. I also check to make sure all information is up to date.

• Schedule a teachers conference - I like to schedule a meeting with the teacher about one month after school has started. This allows the teacher time to get to know my son and his abilities. I meet with her to get her feedback on his behavior, social interaction with new classmates and academic progress. This information provides a baseline for the teacher and I to base the rest of the year on.

• Schedule an IEP meeting - I usually do six to eight weeks after school has started. This allows the IEP team, me included, to review his IEP and see if any changes need to be made.

• Discuss the new school year with my son - After a week or two my son and I have a light-hearted, yet in depth discussion about school. I ask him how things are going, what he likes best, what he dislikes, what changes he things could be made to help him, etc. I use this information when I meet with the teacher and IEP team.

• Volunteer - I firmly believe that being active at your child's school will improve his school experience. I volunteer in the classroom, library and cafeteria. I am also active in the school's PTA. By doing this, you will form a stronger bond with the very people you entrust your child to on a daily basis... teachers, principal, school nurse, etc. Your presence will also allow you to get to know your child's peers. I have found this to be a wonderful way to combat bullying as well. The bullies are more apt to leave your child alone if they know you will be at the school on a regular basis. They will not see your child as an easy target. Plus, my son loves it when he sees me at school. It brings his two worlds together and makes him feel more at ease.

• Don't forget the picture - I always take a picture of my son on the first day of school. To easily tell which year each picture was take, he holds up the number of fingers that correspond to that year's grade. These are priceless photos that I've cherished throughout the years. Plus, it's amazing to see how much he grows from year to year.

For additional tips on getting ready for the back-to-school rush, visit these sites:

• Back to School: 10 Conversations to Have with ADHD Children


• A Back-to-School Checklist for ADHD Children


• Back-to-School Preparation for Children with ADHD

Here's to a great school year for you and your ADHD/LD child!