You are your child's best advocate. To be a good advocate for
your child, learn as much as you can about ADHD and how it affects your child at
home, in school, and in social situations.
If your child has shown symptoms of ADHD from an early age and has been
evaluated, diagnosed, and treated with either behavior modification or
medication or a combination of both, when your child enters the school system,
let his or her teachers know. They will be better prepared to help the child
come into this new world away from home.
If your child enters school and experiences difficulties that lead you to
suspect that he or she has ADHD, you can either seek the services of an outside
professional or you can ask the local school district to conduct an evaluation.
Some parents prefer to go to a professional of their own choice. But it is the
school's obligation to evaluate children that they suspect have ADHD or some
other disability that is affecting not only their academic work but their
interactions with classmates and teachers.
If you feel that your child has ADHD and isn't learning in school as he or she
should, you should find out just who in the school system you should contact.
Your child's teacher should be able to help you with this information. Then you
can request—in writing—that the school system evaluate your child. The letter
should include the date, your and your child's names, and the reason for
requesting an evaluation. Keep a copy of the letter in your own files.
Until the last few years, many school systems were reluctant to evaluate a child
with ADHD. But recent laws have made clear the school's obligation to the child
suspected of having ADHD that is affecting adversely his or her performance in
school. If the school persists in refusing to evaluate your child, you can
either get a private evaluation or enlist some help in negotiating with the
school. Help is often as close as a local parent group. Each state has a Parent
Training and Information (PTI) center as well as a Protection and Advocacy (P&A)
agency. (For information on the law and on the PTI and P&A, see the section on
support groups and organizations at the end of this document.)
Once your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and qualifies for special education
services, the school, working with you, must assess the child's strengths and
weaknesses and design an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). You should be
able periodically to review and approve your child's IEP. Each school year
brings a new teacher and new schoolwork, a transition that can be quite
difficult for the child with ADHD. Your child needs lots of support and
encouragement at this time.
Never forget the cardinal rule—you are your child's best advocate.
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