My daughter is 6 and we're relocating to Columbia, MO. She has ADHD and she seems to learn slower than everyone else. She's done 2 years of preschool and I'm trying to find the best kindergarten class for her.
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Parent Answers to "What would be the best school for my daughter?"
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((Hugs)) I'm sure you know that certain conditions do have "hereditary links." There is a strong correlation to parents who have bipolar, having children with the condition. As sites like www.bpkids.org point out, childhood bipolar "looks different" than adult bipolar, but in many cases it is first diagnosed as ADHD, when it may be more complicated. Sometimes medications prescribed for ADHD make the other symptoms worse. I hope your daughter is under the care of a child psychiatrist, NOT just a regular pediatrician.
Since she's now a year older, and you say she's resonding well to Concerta, I think it's critical to have her re-evaluated to try and determine what her medical condition really is, whether it's PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified) on the autism spectrum, or something else. It sounds like your daughter definitely has needs that should be addressed on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and to put her in a regular classroom without appropriate supports would be overwhelming.
Unfortunately, even the best schools don't have teachers who are "mind readers" and they aren't all well-trained in different mental health conditions.
That's why you need to get a better diagnosis, so your daughter's needs can be properly addressed. Schools can test for educational delays and disabilities, but they can't diagnose medical conditions, so I'd start with that.
Due to the complicated nature of your daughter's situation, I'd also like to recommend that you join another parent forum, where there are some other very experienced people regarding medication management and special education laws...it's www.millermom.proboards107.com
Since she's now a year older, and you say she's resonding well to Concerta, I think it's critical to have her re-evaluated to try and determine what her medical condition really is, whether it's PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified) on the autism spectrum, or something else. It sounds like your daughter definitely has needs that should be addressed on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and to put her in a regular classroom without appropriate supports would be overwhelming.
Unfortunately, even the best schools don't have teachers who are "mind readers" and they aren't all well-trained in different mental health conditions.
That's why you need to get a better diagnosis, so your daughter's needs can be properly addressed. Schools can test for educational delays and disabilities, but they can't diagnose medical conditions, so I'd start with that.
Due to the complicated nature of your daughter's situation, I'd also like to recommend that you join another parent forum, where there are some other very experienced people regarding medication management and special education laws...it's www.millermom.proboards107.com
When my daughter was tested for ADHD, they also tested her skills and said that she was a year or two behind. She was 5 at the time and they said that she was on a 3 or 4 yr. old level. She also displayed symptoms of autism and O.D.D. However, she was to hyper to test for these. When she gets real excited she shakes her hands, kinda rolling them back and forth. She also does not listen to anything she's told. Her father, who is out of the picture, I believe is bipolar. He has major anger isuues and would not go get tested, eventhough it was ordered through the court. I believe that my child has inherited his anger and at times it can be unbelievable. For her adhd, at first they put her on adderall. She became very violent and after taking it for a little, I had her taken off of them. It was like living with her father again. Last year, they prescribed concerta for her and she's doing much better now.
HI. Unfortunately, Greatschools is a nationwide forum and the chance of finding another family from the same town with a child of similar age and with similar needs is slim. My son has ADHD, and whether we've felt a school year has been a positive experience has more to do with individual teachers than a specific school. (I assume you're speaking about public schools...There are a few private schools geared just to kids with special needs, but the tuition isn't cheap.)
My advice to people is always to try and join a local support group in your new community, and network through those parents to find out about the best schools and other resources in a particular area. For ADHD, contact www.Chadd.org and see if there's a Columbus, MO chapter...you can phone or email the local chapter president, even if you'e not physically relocated yet.
Does your daughter currently have an IEP? I'm concerned when you say she seems to learn slower...has she had a comprehensive educational evaluation for learning disabilities, in addition to the medical diagnosis of ADHD? There are a high percentage of children who have both ADHD and LDs, and if that's the case, your daughter should be able to get remediation assistance for reading, math, and/or whatever other issues she's struggling with.
While it's not going to answer your specific question about good schools in Columbia, MO, I'd also like to invite you to join Greatschools Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/gro
My advice to people is always to try and join a local support group in your new community, and network through those parents to find out about the best schools and other resources in a particular area. For ADHD, contact www.Chadd.org and see if there's a Columbus, MO chapter...you can phone or email the local chapter president, even if you'e not physically relocated yet.
Does your daughter currently have an IEP? I'm concerned when you say she seems to learn slower...has she had a comprehensive educational evaluation for learning disabilities, in addition to the medical diagnosis of ADHD? There are a high percentage of children who have both ADHD and LDs, and if that's the case, your daughter should be able to get remediation assistance for reading, math, and/or whatever other issues she's struggling with.
While it's not going to answer your specific question about good schools in Columbia, MO, I'd also like to invite you to join Greatschools Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/gro
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