The Trouble With Boys Chapter 8 Pay Attention

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Zinski on March 30, 2010 at 8:37am

What am I doing wrong? Are food additives to blame? Why is he acting this way? As the mother of an uncooperative boy I tried the Feingold diet, I had his hair sample analyzed for chemical deficiencies, and finally meds. He eventually refused the meds............he just didn't want to be "different," and didn't want to think anything was "wrong" with him.
I remember having my son evaluated at Childrens Seashore House and within ten minutes, after asking him to spell, and inquiring into his behavior and "feelings" he was labeled with Attention Deficit. He very well may have ADHDS but I theroize he was depressed and angry, and was a 'never sit still' boy.

Sending this child out of class for special ed. was persecution. Hearing remarks like, "Time to go to the dummy class," from peers made him feel inferior. I too believe ADHD is too readily diagnosed and there must be a way to manage this condition without medicating. In some cases it may help, but it is not a panacea. As a Mom I totally understand parents' reluctance to medicate.

We teachers got laid into in this chapter, didn't we? Our ADHD Checklst tells more about our expectaions than a boy's true behavior. We "forget what is normal." I do not take issue with any of this criticism. I agree we are often wrong. The more we need to manage our larger classes the more we report cases of ADHD. Now I REALLY feel guilty!

Supporting Our Sons in Northern California tries to help teachers "understand the gestalt of a boy." Movement and well-being is said to be a cause and effect relationship for both boys and girls. How interesting. This deserves a closer look.