Labeling a kid with ADHD in school  

Technically, according to HIPPA guidelines, the teachers working with your son have no right really to even know he is diagnosed. If he needs to take the medication in school, he would just go to the nurse at a specific time, but the people educating your child really don't need to know. Read up on your rights, and become familiar with HIPPA before you do things.

I also have ADHD when I was in elementary up to last year. I did not take any medication but it was all self control. :D It was all about discipline and training. Well, it's hard for him since he's still a kid.

Actually I found it to be beneficial to my son for his teacher to know that he had ADHD. She went out of her way to learn new methods that would work better for him. Before the school year began this year I went in to speak to my sons first grade teacher. I explained my sons condition to her and what some of his triggers were to having a bad day. This helped her to know what to expect because each child who has ADHD is different.

If you are worried about your child being labeled I would suggest that you take the time to speak to your sons first grade teacher at the start of the school year. You know your child the best. You can give her helpful suggestions as to waht works best for your son. Make yourself available for the teacher so that she is able to ask you questions.

I believe that ADHD can still be in the mainstream learning. The teacher in the class must understand characteristic of ADHD. They can still learn and do well if they are taught how to cope with their behaviours. I have personally taught a boy with ADHD before. I can actually learn and as time passes his concentration level also improved. I have worked with him since he was 8 years old and now he is 13 years old. He is presently doing well in the secondary level.

Your child's class teacher must understand ADHD and provides a release area for your child when he cannot sit still anymore. They need to release their energy quite frequently. Medication can help but not for the whole day so good coping strategies implemented by his teacher is more important.

Actually, getting him "labeled" is the best thing you can do for him.

By being "labeled", he is entitled to extra assistance IF he needes it; it lets the teachers know that if there is a change in his behavior they may need to let you know so your doctor can adjust his meds before it becomes a real problem; it also means that he should be given an IEP (Individual Education Program) and that lets you and his teachers communicate more closely in planning a course of education for him (my son was also very bright but we found he needed extra time on tests which he was able to get because of his ADHD).

Labeling a kid with ADHD is no big deal now days because so MANY kids are diagnosed with ADHD and other learning disorders. Now, the kids without labels are the ones who are "left out".

My daughter has been on medication since she was eight years old. She is now 17, and in high school, and we have never included her ADHD medication on any school health forms. Her doctor is aware of what she takes, and we inform any other doctors she may see, but we don't believe the school needs to be informed. She takes one pill a day, before she goes to school, and the school has no part to play in her getting her meds.

My nephew was diagnosed with ADHD last month and we all kinda suspected he had it but he jus started takin medication for it and he has calmed down. The school and his teacher know and i think its better that they do know because then they can handle him better in certain situations. Classrooms these days are filled with 20-30 kids so its hard for the teachers to jus pay attention to his ceratin needs so yes i think its best if they all know..and its nothing to be ashamed of.

I can understand your need of such information on labeled in the school system. Some school systems have help for parents in Advocites for the school to parents of ADHD children. I think you can interview the potinetaly Teachers and make a request for your child to go in that teachers class room, it is one way for you to know that you are comfortable with the teacher that you will have contact with the most.

I am so glad that someone is talking about concerns with adhd! As a teacher I see alot of this in my class and it caught my interest to the point I included it in my masters paper on mutrition and learning. I realize there are children out there that are extremely chemically imbalanced but what about all those children who are on drugs that are doing more harm than good!

My step son was 'adhd'. I say it that way because, after my research found out that there is no such thing. I have some recommendations if you are open to them.