I see and read about it every day, parents asking each other, “What consequences or punishment should I give my child with ADHD so that they will…” Parents and teachers are excellent at coming up with punishments. Everything from writing sentences to missing recess or other “rewards” that they think will suddenly inspire a kid to no longer have ADHD, as if it’s a choice by the child. These kids are consistently punished for their mental health issues. Some people are under the impression that if they find just the right punishment their child will no longer struggle. They fail to see that their child is lagging behind developmentally with one or many social/emotional skills. I assure you that kids with ADHD and other mental health challenges are punished far more than their peers. Just do a quick search for kids with IEPs being punished more than typical peers, you will find many stories and statistics, just like this story. These kids do not need more punishments.
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What if I told you that there was a child in a public school that used a wheelchair and was told every day that they should walk on their own without the wheelchair because everyone else is the class is capable of walking, what’s wrong with them? If they just tried harder they could walk. Maybe they should write sentences every day during recess until they decide that they are going to walk. Until they decide to walk they will have to sit at a separate table at lunch or eat in the principal’s office. What if there was going to be a special assembly, but to go, you have to walk. Sorry, kid, you don’t get to go, maybe you should work harder to walk. The class is going on a field trip, but only kids that walk get to go. Several times a week the teacher emails the parents and lets them know their child is still refusing to walk. As parents, they need to work on this at home because it’s disruptive to others. Many times a day the child hears things like, “How many times have I told you to walk?” “What is wrong with you? Why can’t you just be like the other kids?” “Why do you like to cause trouble?” “I know you could do it if you really tried”
They ARE doing their best!
You might and should be appalled that someone would say those things to a child that uses a wheelchair. These same things are told to and done to children with ADHD EVERYDAY!! Just because their struggles are not visible it does not mean that they are less real. Your thoughts and feelings are just as real as theirs. They often lack the same skills that their same age peers develop with little to no extra help. These kids often do not understand that their minds are working differently so they cannot understand why they struggle and other kids do not. They do not understand why they are punished so much and so severely just for trying to do the right things. They definitely do not learn anything from these punishments because they are not intentionally trying to do the wrong thing. I know it often looks like they are not trying their best or they are trying to be disruptive. This is not the case. If (when calm and feeling safe) you were to ask any child if they want to make good choices and be “the good kid” that has friends, gets good behavior awards, gets invited to parties, etc, they, of course, would say YES!! They just do not always have the skills to make that happen.
Equal is not fair, and fair is not equal!
Just like we all make accommodations for people using wheelchairs, crutches, those that are blind or deaf, we need to make accommodations for those with mental health issues. Sometimes these are easy to implement and sometimes it makes it very hard to figure out what is going to be helpful. Simple things like alternative seat choices, being able to stand and walk around more, extra time for assignments or things to fidget with or chew on can go along way with some kids. I have heard some teachers express concern that if they make allowances for a few kids then all kids many ask for the same allowances. For most kids, if you explain that we all have different needs and abilities, strengths struggles and school is the place for each child to feel safe and understand how to use their gifts in the unique ways that they were meant to use them. Some kids need to move more, some kids need a bit more time to complete a task. By allowing each child to have their need met, you as a teacher. are teaching them compassion and that it’s not a big deal to have different needs. Most kids will want to try out the alternative seating, but the novelty will wear off and each kid will know that it’s there if they need it. As far as allowing extra time for assignments, you can ask the child requesting it if they truly need it. Most of the time the other kids won’t even know another child is getting more time, but you can explain that each person’s needs are met in your class and if they feel their needs are not being met they can meet with you to discuss their ongoing concerns. Younger kids are probably going to be satisfied with being told that you are taking care it and everyone’s needs are being met.
There is hope and help!
One of my favorite resources for understanding how to help struggling kids is http://www.livesinthebalance.org On this site there are video clips, links to podcasts, downloadable forms, etc.. This information helps you to change the way you think about kids that have “behavior problems” and helps you figure out how to help them and reduce the stress levels of all of those involved. Please stop thinking that punishment is the answer. It will never teach the skills anyone lacks.
Book Recommendations
For a list of “Teacher approved fidgets”, check out this post For some ideas on accommodations for the classroom, look here
You are so right on its not even funny. Beautiful post.
Thank you!
When I think back to the outrageous punishments that my son received in middle school, it makes me want to cry. I DID cry then, almost every day, but I didn’t know that I had the power to insist that my son not be punished for having ADHD. I assumed that teachers and administrators knew about and understood ADHD, but they didn’t. I was told that my son did not “qualify” for accommodations, although he had a medical diagnosis and took medication. Even now, as a 23 year old college student, he still encounters professors who shame him, and assume that he is not trying. Thanks for your insights.
Tara,
Just came across your article thumbing through Pinterest. Wow! First article on I have ever read about kids with ADHD and other disabilities that has been written with heart and soul. I’ve worked with children with varying disabilities kinder-5th grade for 14 years. I wish with all my heart teachers could understand what you have written. I love the teachers I work with-they work really hard for all their students, but our special ed population definitely suffers to a degree. Thank you for putting this out there for everyone to try to understand!
Your post so true my son has been having trouble since kindergarten and he’s in 8th grade now last year he was bullied and the teachers had the nerve to tell me that he was the reason for him being bullied just cause he talks alot when he’s upset or nervous they don’t help him with his work if he asks and lots more I’d love to be able to home school him but a a single mom and am working everyday but he has a big heart and is big help to me at home and I love him no matter what.
I’m so sorry you are both going through this. It can feel so isolating. He’s lucky to have a mom like you! He sounds like a great kid! He and my chatterbox would probably get along really well! Do you have a local ADHD parent support page or group? I know it can really help just being reminded that we aren’t alone!
This sounds like my son now in 5 the grade. My heart broke. He just had silent lunch because of an outburst. All of his teachers are aware of his ADHD but she still punished him😢. I think I’m going to make it a daily thing to go and sit with him in class to keep him calm. The day I went up there was the day he had silent lunch. So I sat with him and cracked jokes with him. I want to homeschool him but I fear his social skills will get even more behind.
That would be awesome if you could sit with him. It’s so hard when it feels like the world is against our kids when a bit of understanding and empathy could go such a long way! I keep seeing our important it is to teach kids empathy, but if the all adults in their lives could just show some to them, it would go such a long way and have such a wonderful impact!
Yes! Thank you so much! I love what you said here! (I came across your post on Pinterest). I grew up with undiagnosed ADHD and It is helpful now to know that the things I was punished for as a child were not my fault. Now as an adult i’ve been reading up about it and so mamy articles—even many of the ones that talk about “positive disciple” or some other similar phrase—just completely miss the point, that as you say, accommodations for a child with ADHD should be treated with the same legitimacy as accommodations for a classmate in a wheelchair.
P.S. this is a list of classroom accommodations I found as i’ve been reading about ADHD that I appreciated:
https://pin.it/jxuacpyxcoxqdu
I’m so glad you found this helpful! Thanks for the list of accommodations! I hope that one day soon accommodations for mental health issues are viewed by teachers just like glasses, wheelchairs, hearing aides, etc are viewed. These accommodations help to level the playing field.
Writing with INK for ALL and standing while I study are the 2 new things that work well for me right now
The standing idea is great! I’m thankful that more people are becoming aware of the benefit of simply standing to do educational work. I’ve been seeing more standing desks in classrooms recently. Thanks for sharing!