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ADHD
What is a School's Responsibility?
By Julia Rosen
When a child passes all the spelling tests but fails language arts, something's wrong – and not with the child. Children with ADHD have a right to a free and appropriate education under federal law, just like any child with or without a disability.
"New education laws require that school boards supply an education designed for each individual child, and ensure that disabled students have a program comparable to other non-disabled students," says psychotherapist Terry Matlen, who counsels children with ADHD in her private practice in Birmingham, Mich. "Parents have a right to advocate for their child to ensure teachers make reasonable accommodations so strengths rather than weaknesses can be demonstrated."
It's important to discover how ADHD hinders a child's learning. "Parents can and should involve themselves in issues like where a child sits, the supplying of a second set of textbooks for home and providing technological accommodations such as a laptop to reduce the use of loose paper," says Martha Cameron, special education consultant in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Arranging for support from "learning buddies" or an instructional aide can also help keep a child on track.
To help him stay organized, 8-year-old Eddy Hauser of Seattle, Wash., brings home a "reminder binder" at the beginning of each week, which contains the next five days of homework. His teacher also supports parental involvement and goes out of her way to help him succeed.
"She lets us write answers that he dictates," Hauser's mother says. His teacher also allows him to use a word processor at home for help with spelling, grammar and organizational problems.
"Teachers need to teach in ways that match a child's learning style and test in ways that let him show what he knows, and not how poorly he takes tests," says neuropsychologist Jerome Schultz, clinical director of The Learning Lab at Lesley University, Cambridge, Mass. "If a child can cope in a regular classroom with support, the teacher has a responsibility to provide it."