My oldest son has ADHD and learning disabilities with writing and math. He is in the basic freshman classes, not any honors or AP classes at this time. At the high school in our community, it seems that there are many AP classes, and the college-bound kids take the AP classes. I am nervous about my son having a good year, and about him being on a college track, where he will learn and get what he needs for his future.
We think he will go to college. Coming out of 8th grade, it is rough, but he is getting more mature and capable as he’s getting older. We like his support teacher and he has an IEP.
I have probably been too hands off with his schooling, trusting that teachers will help him. He has always had kind special education teachers and they like him, but he obviously has more learning and growing to do before he will be college ready. He has medication and seems to be in a good place overall. He has no strong career interests and we really need to limit video gaming though high school, as it will consume his life. He also needs to learn to type (and work on spelling).
Any suggestions as we begin freshman year? He has two younger brothers that do not have diagnoses, but do not like school and are not yet high achievers. Thanks.
Note that I have no idea where he would/should go to college, and everything seems so much more competitive now than it was when I graduated high school in the late 80’s. We are saving for all three boys.
ScouterMomof3, having established his IEP and having good relationships with his support teacher is very important. Networking can also really pay off. Getting him started with a mix of courses to sample his strengths and weaknesses might give you a better read on his future HS experience and whether or not college might be the right choice for him.
The goal of high school should be to prepare him to do well in college. So, he should be given the tools to succeed. This will differ by child, but for my son with ADHD, he had tutoring 3x a week in 9th grade for executive function (lots of help organizing his long term projects eg), and the tutoring dropped each year, so twice a week in 10th grade, once a week in 11th and none senior year. So you see how the supports were gradually removed. (He also is on medication, and got extra time, which he sometimes used and sometimes didn’t).
As he entered high school, I didn’t know if he could manage that, let alone college. He is now starting his sophomore year at Emory, so it worked out!
As I say, each child is different. My son tests very high (and does well on exams). He struggled with homework and organization and remembering things.
I think it is great you are focusing on this now – your son has 4 years to learn techniques that will work for him in school. Good luck, it is a journey!