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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Homework with ADD!?!

21 replies

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 17:41

It's wrong isn't it, that I'm sitting on the stairs rocking while typing

DC has many issues, one being an attention deficit. We have homework, like any other typical child, but... how the hell am I supposed to get him to do it all.
I've spent an hour and so far have nothing on paper!

We have reading, book review once said book is finished, maths and literacy.

And I shouldn't worry myself because DC is bigger now and 6 weeks makes a DC grow soooo quickly. Let's not worry about what the file says FFS

Ggggrrrrrr

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cornsillx · 20/09/2011 17:46

How old is your dc?

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 17:50

He's 7.5

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cornsillx · 20/09/2011 17:52

That's a lot of hwk. How approachable is the SENCO?

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 17:59

SENCO is approachable but I'm still working them out.
I haven't raised it with the teacher yet, they haven't been back long and DCn settling in etc. but I get the impression on previous discussions that they're hearing but not listening ifkwim
I feel like the overbearing anxious parent, but we've all worked hard to get where we are.

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cricketfan · 20/09/2011 18:04

I assume he has moved up and therefore has a new class teacher. Have you spoken to the new teacher and pointed out issues (files don't always get updated properly and teacher may not realise severity of problem).

I used to work with Special Needs kids including ADD (Secondary school so not sure any of my tips would be that useful) and I was always impressed if any homework was done (even a sentence).

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 18:11

Yes, I've had briefing with them, they've had full briefing from previous class, full files etc incl all med reports, advisory detail etc.

I'll get this week done, allow some bedding time then arrange a sit down I think.

Just feel helpless but at the same time an irritating thorn in their side!

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mrz · 20/09/2011 18:17

When you say maths and literacy what exactly is involved? I'm a Senco and the mother of a child with ADHD /ASD and expected my son to complete homework. In fact I would have been concerned if staff had lower expectations because of his difficulties ... sorry.

LynetteScavo · 20/09/2011 18:25

Hands MoreThanJustPatience

I feel your pain, I have taken to MN, with pursed lips and a glass of red.

My DS has no diagnosed SEN but is so s...l...o...w..... He is trying really hard with his homework, but I have calculated at the rate he is going his maths will take 4 hours, and he can't concentrate for more than 40 mins without going white and well, just stopping.

My able/willful/difficult DS1 refused to do any homework ever. He hasn't dropped dead yet.

At worst the teacher will think you are crap.

The sky will not fall in.

ragged · 20/09/2011 18:28

I have an "awkward" y3 child, no diagnosis but my money would be on ADHD if it was worth the hassle to pursue, anyway...

I just have to sit with him, and wait him out. He will do it, eventually. 1.5 hours is not uncommon. With DS it's actually mostly a confidence issue; if he knew for sure what he was doing he'd whiz thru it. It's feeling he doesn't know what to do that makes him easily distractable and tantrum almightily.

Apologies is this doesn't apply to your DC, OP. But it's my job to help DS when I can see what the teacher can't, why he can't get on with something because he doesn't have an underlying basic skillset(s) yet and he needs the home one-to-one time to acquire it. It's a pain because I have to offload all other DC onto DH for an hour (or longer). All too frequently. But it's what DS needs and truth is he CAN do it, he just needs a lot of support.

Maybe there is something in what I wrote that will resonate or help?

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 18:35

You misunderstood my post mrz... And no need to say sorry, its your opinion :)

I have never and would never expect anything less from my child than anyone else, don't believe I said that above? My concern was how I'm supposed to get him to complete it all.

My gripes with the rest of it, re their opinion is a separate matter, and I'm venting.

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MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 18:42

Thanks Lynette glass gratefully received :o

Thanks ragged, yes sometimes that's the best way. It just irritates having to start back at the beginning each year.

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mrz · 20/09/2011 18:43

Which is why I asked about the literacy and maths homework involves ...

If it is a short task and a week to complete then no issue if it is to write a side of A4 and 100 maths problems every night then it is a different matter

nickschick · 20/09/2011 18:45

Simple!,take the work into school tomorrow say he couldnt do it in the time you had available last night and youll perhaps try it over the weekend.

A schooldays long enough for a child without ADD so for a child with it - let him chill.

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 18:53

Sorry mrz, skipped that bit.

In my opinion, they are easy tasks for a DC to complete during the week, but for my DC... Aurgh..

That's not a bad idea nicks although keeping him behind to do it it might be better :o

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MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 19:10

One thing though mrz
Each DC on the spectrum is different. Not expecting anything less and not getting what you'd hope for from the DCn - how do you work that?
You say your DC has ASD & ADHD but how long did it take your DC to write a sentence?

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mrz · 20/09/2011 19:19

Every child is different MoreThanJustPatience.

It took my son until Y6 to write a sentence so that would 6 years or so ...

IndigoBell · 20/09/2011 19:38

MoreThan - would you be happy for him to dictate his hw to you, and for you to type it up?

(Then he could move round while doing his hw)

Or to let him type it up instead of write it? (If it's actually writing he hates)

mrz · 20/09/2011 19:59

Or use a Dictaphone

MoreThanJustPatience · 20/09/2011 21:46

Thanks - all excellent ideas.

My concern with him dictating though would be that he wouldn't be pushed to get that writing done, to learn - iyswim.

I suppose something could be added where he has homework the same as the other children where he dictates but additional minor writing set for him to practice or is it practise (always confused)?

I miss his old teachers/senco - I was able to bounce ideas off them very easily trying to work the best way but don't feel comfortable yet with his new setting. Its also harder to get the contact so freely.

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IndigoBell · 21/09/2011 09:39

My DS types all his homework, unless he is really struggling, then he dictates it and I type it.

I do handwriting practice with him separately. You don't need school to set it. Just buy a handwriting book, or download worksheets and make him do one a day.

My DS does most of his work in class by hand, and only occasionally uses a computer.

He also does extra handwriting practice at school.

And we have just started to see an OT to help with his handwriting.

So yes, your DS can type or dictate his homework, and work on his handwriting separately.

MoreThanJustPatience · 23/09/2011 15:51

Thanks IB & all, spoke with school and we're putting together a plan where we work together. :o

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