So here's what happens at school today:
The kids had to take a District Assessment that took about half the day, so they ate their lunches in the classroom with me. One student (who is ADHD and gets modifications because of this 'disability') proceeds to get out her lunch that consists of a tupperware of strawberries and a tupperware of sugar. I know strawberries are healthy and are a great source of fiber, but dipping them in sugar and eating only that for lunch is not the best decision. After she had eaten all the strawberries, she pulls out a spoon and eats the rest of the sugar. I can't imagine eating sugar by the spoonful; it turns my stomach to think about...No lie, she downed at least a full cup of sugar (not to mention the Coke she was drinking!!!). One of the other kids in the room said that last week her lunch one day was a bag of chocolate chips...and ADHD is her problem!?!?
Don't get me wrong, there are truly people who are ADD/ADHD and can be helped by medication, but then there are other parents who just don't raise their kids right and want any excuse to make themselves feel better.
After a little thinking about the situation, I decided to email her Mom. This girl isn't doing too well in class and I'm constantly having to let the Mom know troubles that she is having, only to get the response "Are you following her educational modifications? It's probably because my child is ADHD." I sent a very carefully-worded email about my concerns about her lunch selection (because we have to be careful never to "diagnose" any condition) and suggested that maybe her lack of focus and attention was due to a sugar rush followed by a sugar crash. The Mom emailed me back assuring me that she didn't know that's what was packed for lunch because both parents are marathons runners/rock climbers and are very health conscious. Way to be involved in your 11-year-old's life...
ARGH!!! I'm not a miracle worker, people!!!
10 years ago
4 comments:
I hate that excuse too! It seems like all of the sudden EVERYONE has ADD/ADHD. I don't even teach but I feel your pain and while yes, some people vaidly do have a problem, I think you're totally right...it comes down to bad parenting and they want an excuse for not doing their job. Lame! It sucks how your hands are tied too, and that no matter what, the parents are always going to say "Are you following the regulations?" LAME!
LOL! ADD/ADHD are definitely over diagnosed. Especially with all the kids who watch TV/play video games (I almost typed Nintendo ... shows you I'm old and know nothing about the kinds there are) all day. No wonder they are going crazy in class rooms. However, I think there are also the strict elementary school teachers who expect 6 year-olds to sit still all day and convince the parents the child is abnormal. Our society has a real problem. Poor kids ... and teachers! Ha ha!
Let me tell you, it doesn't get any better once they get to college. I'm all for helping people with disabilities, but sometimes the accommodations that are made are out of control. I just keep wondering where these students think they are going to get a job that will accommodate them like that out in the real world.
Your comments about your student's eating behavior was doubly infuriating. I certainly am not a prude when it comes to enjoying treats and junk food, but the way some children are allowed to eat is ridiculous.
One of my favorite authors on feeding children is Ellyn Satter. She has several excellent and helpful parenting books on the subject. She asserts that in feeding young children adults are responsible for deciding "what, when, and where" and the child decides "how much or even whether" they eat. As the child grows and learns, those areas of responsibility become more shared. Sounds like the parents of your student have completely abdicated their role.
All great comments but no one except a parent with a child that has ADHD actually knows what it is like. we must remember the patience and tolerance our savior had for peoples disabilities, and it is a disability. If these oarents truly had no idea what their child was packing, then give them the benefit of the doubt. Hannah you your self as a mother of three know that it is impossible to know every little thing that your child does all day every day. There is no telling what my boys have eaten when I wasn't looking. If this child is expressing her independence then perhaps the parents have been letting her pack her own lunch and just didn't think to check what it was. that is not bad parenting. That is realistic parenting. Hopefully now that you have made them aware of the situation her lunches will change. If they don't then that IS bad parenting.
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