(no subject)

[sabrinamari]

Thank you, friends, for your substantial, detailed thoughts on helping Trent. As soon as I awoke, I checked my LJ for your thoughts, and as soon as Michael awoke, I asked him to read them.

I really do think we can benefit from a professional evaluation and some extra support. I have asked about this before, and now I feel even more certain this is a useful idea.

Many brains are usually better than one or two when grappling with a chronic problem. Thank you for contributing your insights!

******

What we've accomplished today:

* Email to teachers has been written (Michael) and edited (Sabrina)
* Meeting between Michael and Trent's mom today
* Last night's list of proposed action steps about to be texted to Michael for that meeting
* Possible objections considered and responses prepared
* Trent has been fully brought into the process; he knows what we are going to propose and has had a voice in designing it

What we'll do tonight:

* Sabrina: Go to the gym after class to manage stress and frustration
* Meet with Michael later tonight and go over today's meeting with Trent's mom
* Review early teacher responses in Michael's email
* Note date and time of Michael, Trent and mother meeting; figure out appropriate targeted supportive actions
* WRITE DOWN an action plan everyone can see, comment on and modify
* Email to Trent's mom?

Comments

[sligoe.livejournal.com]

You forgot one thing---hug each other. A LOT.

[jasminewind.livejournal.com]

Sharon has excellent advice - LOVE each other!

Please tell me when to stop telling you things, b/c I think about this stuff a lot and more details of my & A's experiences keep coming to my brain that you might find relevant:

1. Don't expect tons of help from the school system. This is a shame because it is probably clear to everyone who knows T (even his teachers) that he is not performing to his potential (for example, by being late and missing hw assignments). School systems usually don't interfere until a kid is performing below grade level. Also teachers don't have/take time to support kids the way an ADD kid needs support on focus and organization. There just isn't time in a classroom for them to do it. Also the testing & evaluation will be geared toward grade level performance. A private evaluation with a physician and an educational psychologist will help you maximize Trent's potential, not just get him performing at grade level.

2. Things we've found that help:
- Ear plugs (you can buy silicon molding kits on amazon for $20)
- Regular aerobic exercise - it supports brain function, ramps up the parts that are slower (like Sharon said)
- Fish oil (we get one for kids that has Vit D too)

3. I know I had something else to say, to Trent mostly, but I can't remember. :-)

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

DO NOT STOPP TELLING ME THINGS.

I am a huge believer in keeping a diverse group of people around me, precisely because I cannot be expected to know everything or understand everything, and I do not believe in reinventing the wheel by myself.

And I didn't spend years with Newark's resourceful women to disregard the key lesson that kept them alive: social capital is one of the most important tools a human being can deploy in assembling a happy/productive life. I am not stupid, and I learned this from them.

The primary purposes of my LJ are to 1. keep me sane, and 2. help me think, but a *very important* tertiary purpose is to tap the collective wisdom of my allies, peers and associates in order to help me meet the challenges that emerge in my life.

So please do not desist with the insights and instructions. I may not use them all, but chances are good that one or more of your comments can save me years of wasted effort.

I am huge believer in minimizing years of wasted effort. After all, I wrote a frickin' dissertation and if I learned anything from that process, it was to enter into battle fully armed, instead of trying to do everything alone!

So, post, email, text, and call if you have any insights to share with me. I *want* your help, and the help of anyone else who is willing to help me grow in a positive way.

I am very willing to Skype with you and A., with Trent by my side if you think you can help. I have no shame and will readily go the extra 10 miles to help those I love.

[gracewillow.livejournal.com]

I must have missed the original post about this, but I know this from my experience with my youngest nephew, who has some speech and learning issues:

1. There is help out there.
2. Push and keep pushing in order to get it.
3. Consider yourself hugged. This is vital! :)

[catbirdgirl.livejournal.com]

excellent books with good suggestions- Driven to Distraction, and You Mean I'm not Lazy Stupid or Crazy. The latter's more for adults with ADD but it's still worth a read.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you!