Okay I know I have written about this before. My youngest DD has MAJOR issues with responsiblity in all senses of the word. She can't seem to follow through on anything, including homework. If she doesn't forget she has homework or to write what her homework is down. She leaves it at home or forgets it is in her backpack and doesn't turn it in. I have begged the school to help me and they have done a little but it is at the point where she has gotten an office referral for having too many signatures under responsibility. They sign her card every time she doesn't have her homework. Office referral comes when you have 12 for a 9 week period. They don't seem to pay much attention to this problem because she makes pretty good grades even when she doesn't do her homework and her TAKS test scores are commended.

I really don't know what to do. I am sending an email to the vice principal and counselor to see if I can't get an evaluation for her to get an Accommodation for her. If I don't get this from the email I will send an official letter.

Do any of you have any suggestions that might help.

Jordan is also going through a lot of things emotionally right now and won't talk to me about it. She starts counseling today and has been put on antidepressants by a psychiatrist about 3 weeks ago. I am not seeing a change yet but sometimes they take a while to get into your system.

I just want to cry... I don't know what else to do and I feel like she is getting a really bad deal because she does so well on tests. She is going to middle school next year and they are able to get into pre-ap classes in middle school but she was not recommended because of her responsibility issues. I am waiting a little longer to see if any of this helps before I override the recommendation of the teachers and put her in pre-ap on my own because she tells me that she is bored with school all the time and that her work is too easy.j

And help or opinions is very appreciated

By Tink on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 06:02 pm:

I've posted about my 10yo dd's trouble completing homework and finishing chores, etc. I suspect ADD but I've never pursued a diagnosis for her since I don't think it interferes with her daily life enough yet. Her teacher and I put a couple of strategies into play with her and it has been helping for the last 6 weeks or so. My dd is more than smart enough to do the work but I think she realized how pointless it was for her to do her homework since she didn't need the practice in order to do well on the tests. After reviewing her test scores, her teacher agreed to letting her only do half the work if it is just bookwork like Math problems. She also works on homework throughout the schoolday, including during recesses and free classtime. Now she rarely has homework at all and when she does, it's a fraction of what she used to bring home. Her teacher will email her homework to me if she forgets to write it down and I require her to bring home all of her schoolbooks each night so that she can't forget a book. I don't know how much of this will help, especially since Jordan is going to middle school next year but I hope something is worth trying. The homework and bedroom cleaning problems we've had have been one of the toughest things we've dealt with as parents. Good luck!

By Nomdeplume_75 on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - 02:26 pm:

Hi, I work with a lot of kids with ADHD, Autism, and other disabilities. Have you ever worked with a developmental specialist? They can offer you a wealth of information on what is called 'situational adjustment' SA helps kids with ADHD tremendously! Also, diet is a HUGE factor for these kids. I suggest checking out the Feingold Diet. I know tens of families that utilize this diet with marked results. Many of their children are removed from medication altogether. (that is of course between you and your daughter's doctor)

As for my personal recommendations, I suggest buying your daughter a multi-pocketed binder/folder. (You can find them cheaply at Wal-Mart) Label each folder/pocket for each class she takes. Have her take this folder/binder to every class and keep paperwork inside it. Each night when she comes home, her homework will be inside it's designated class folder/pocket. She can complete her work then replace it to the folder. It also helps if she carries an agenda for the day, this will log all of her work, both work she has completed and work that needs to be done as well as outline upcoming tests. If an agenda isn't suitable for her, try having her carry a voice activated recorder and at the start or end of each class have her or her teacher dictate the work to be done. A white board inside her locker also helps to give her a quick way to jot down notes for books and other reminders for the end of the day. It can then be erased at the end of the school day when she has packed her bag and is headed home. Most teachers are very cooperative when parents come to them and ask for assistance. Many will e mail class agenda's for the week or even the month to parents if asked. Some will even attach digital copies of work. Organization and structure is imperative when dealing with ADHD. I wish I had more time to write more of the ways to help with kids with ADHD, but I'm running late for an appointment. But basically the easier you can make organization on her the better. No age is too old for lists/charts/etc. Help her arrange a check and re check system for herself. Label things if necessary, create checklists for each class and tape it inside her book/notebook/locker. I hope this is helpful, even though it is rushed. I understand what you're going though, my daughter has CAPD, dyslexia, and is ASD (one doctor told me she's ADHD another that she's within the Autism specturm)I know even daily life can be a struggle. There are many ways to ease the stress and tension. If you haven't been in touch with your local developmental clinic for resources in your area you may want to check with them. There are also lots of great online and print resources.

By Tarable on Monday, April 7, 2008 - 05:16 pm:

Well I finally got in touch with the vice-principal. We played phone tag for a week. She wants to have a meeting and have get Jordan a 504 plan. She thinks there are a few things that they can change that can really help Jordan and also help me know exactly what is going on with her homework.

We will have the official meeting next week and fill out the paperwork.

I am so happy that she is on the same page as I am. I finally talked to the right person after trying to get help for over 2 years.

On another note Jordan is really liking talking to the counselor and thinks that it will really help her learn to deal with the things in her life that she doesn't like.

Thanks for all of your advice and support.