Advice on ADD

Hi, My almost 6 year old has recently moved countries and therefore schools. He has always been a very happy child and we always thought did well in school previously. Initially he had trouble settling into the new school (September 09) but now we feel all is well. We have for some time thought that he is a really good reader for his age and this has been proven at his new school. Here is my concern, we go to have 3 way school assessments last week and are asked by his new teacher (January 2010) how we feel he is doing, of course we say we are very happy, to which she replies, yes he is extremely bright, but you may want to look into ADD, I was horrified to say the least, she says he shows some characteristics of ADD, those being he is bright and also under-acheiving for his capabilities, whilst I find this a total and complete shock, I have to ask the question, is my son bored at school? the school is a new school and currently has less than 90 students, years 1 and 2 are sharing a classroom and teacher, total 17 kids. Should I have him tested? I really am confused at what to do. His teacher tells me, he has organisational issues (in my mind I say but he is not yet 6) and a boy. What to do?


Anyone with similar situations, ideas, etc.?


Thankyou.

I am not surprised you are totally shocked! I am a teacher of and live in HK. I know for certain that his teacher was acting completely unprofessionally! She can NOT make an assumption like she did - she is NOT qualified to diagnose such a disorder in any way is she?

There are certain protocol depending on where you work. A school should have a policy in place. THis is what is supposed to happen in my work place:

I will use a child who is demonstrating "organisational difficulties" as an example. Teacher/s observe the child. Try and use strategies to help child organise himself. These dont work, begin to make anecdotal observations. These should be done by two teachers if there are two in the class, perhaps even a supervisor can observe and make their own observations. The diferent view points are important so a discussion can take place to assess child. We would then hold an interview with parents - if it falls around interview time then we do it then, otherwise we hold a special meeting. Parents are given examples of observations of the child and how this is or isnt matching his developmental stage/age. Parents asked what their opinion is and how they cope with this at home. Explain to parents what strategies have been tried in class. Explain that it is beyond the teachers abilities and ask parents permission for a referral to be made to special needs teacher OR if none work in the school, parents asked to find some outside help to assess child. We would give them numbers of people to call if they dont know any themselves.


I would seriously look into speaking to the teacher's superior and ask what the school policy is on this. I will be sure that teachers are not allowed to make assumptions as to any disability or label.


What country are you in now?


Good luck!

PM me if you want to talk about anything in regard to your son.

OA shanghai, thanks so much for your reply. Like I said we were very shocked and concerned by this. We are heading out tomorrow for chinese new year break, if you don't mind I will PM when we return, I will have questions you may be able to help with.


We are in Zhuhai now.


Thankyou so much.

Some people are extremely unprofessional. Last year my son's teacher told me that he needs to improve on his reading and that they thought his arms where a bit short. They also told me he had the physique of a toddler. By the way, he was 3, could read simple words and was the tallest in his class. I wasn't so much upset as horrified by the fact that I had up until that point made the mistake of respecting his teacher.