Q
ADDITUDE ASKED:
How do you get teachers
to work with your child,
not against him?
Most teachers will do anything to help your
child. ADDitude readers gave us suggestions
for making sure you get your child’s teacher
on your team.
> Be as nice as possible and
volunteer frequently for school
activities. It is hard for the
school not to help your child if
you are the parent who is always
helping the school.
Tara S.
Seattle, Washington
> We have two teenagers with
ADHD in high school, and we
work best with teachers when
we keep the communication
lines open. We ask for their
assistance in dealing with our
children’s needs, and we also
let them know what we do at
home to help our children. We
ask for their suggestions to help
us work together effectively. We
acknowledge that our children’s
needs require extra time and
effort from them, and we make
sure to thank them.
An ADDitude Reader
> The teacher and I share information, which has made us
closer. We use a behavior card
that goes from home to school,
and back, each day. I send the
teacher teaching tips from websites that I think are helpful.
Mary
New York, New York
> I think cooperating with the
teacher, without expecting him
or her to do the parents’ job,
is the most effective approach.
Helping your child is a team
effort.
Julia
Essex, Connecticut
>I compliment my child’s
teachers as often as I can. It
keeps us and our child on their
radar, and gives them a much-needed boost as well.
Leslie
Chicago, Illinois
> I asked my child’s teacher
what works for her in the
classroom, and I use the same
strategies at home.
An ADDitude Reader
Show respect to
the teacher, and
he will respect the
needs of your child
Jerry,
New Hope, Pennsylvania
> I acknowledge the difficulties
that teachers face in managing
ever-larger classes, and I express appreciation for the efforts they take to understand
and accommodate my child.
Doug
Cupertino, California
