My Kid's Education

[Desdinova]

So here's a little bit of background... My ex-wife had my kid diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was 3, and also with ADHD when he was 4. She gets money from the government because he's technically "disabled".

I don't buy any of it. I've been fighting against his mom and his teachers to put him on Ritalin. So far, I've been successful.

I talked to one of the teachers today. It pisses me off when they tell me all the good stuff about him. I already know all the good stuff. I want to hear all the problems so I can work on fixing them. She told me that they're not getting much output from him and he's needing to take frequent "movement breaks". She also told me that they're learning about the current election here in Canada.

My kid is 9 years old. Why in the hell should he care about politics? I barely care about politics. If you ask me to define the difference between Liberals and Conservatives, my response would be "they're spelled differently". So why should my kid care about this? If he wants to learn about Canadian politics, he can take it in University.

All I'm concerned about is that he knows how to read, write, do math, and abide by the rules of those in authority.

She told me that he has no problem working on things that he's interested in, but has no desire to work on things that aren't. Well, that's how NORMAL humans behave.

As for needing movement breaks because he's ADHD, he certainly doesn't need them when he's reading a book, buliding 5hit out of Lego, or watching a goofy video on Youtube. ADHD my ass. The only "problem" my kid has is he's extremely stubborn, especially when it comes to things he doesn't want to do.

I wish to hell that I could home school him. The school system sucks ass. We get taught nothing but the metric system here, and the first thing I grab when I get out of school is a 1/2 inch wrench. I had to learn about inches, feet, pounds, and all those other measurements we use in our daily lives outside of school. I see the purpose of school as preparing us to succeed in the real world. Instead, it's a struggle. I busted my ass in school, took the university bound courses, and used almost NONE of what I learned.

I won't be surprised if my kid drops out of high school. I can't say I'd blame him. You don't even need your high school diploma to attend college these days anyway. At least in college, you choose the subjects that are relevant to where you want to work.

/end rant.

 

[parkthebus]

I also have mild ADHD and mild ASD. When you enjoy something your brain reacts in a certain way that encourages you to continue ie dopamine but when you don't enjoy your brain won't react and so youre relying on the brain activity that occurs when you're doing something monotonous. In people with ADHD their activity levels will be a lowel depending on the severity and so its harder for them to concentrate. ADHD isnt a load of bull, trust me I feel the effects if I don't look after my well-being (too many drugs, bad food, not enough sleep). I don't really consider it a disability because its estimated something like 10 percent of kids have it so I reckon its more of a mental profile. People regard it as a disability because it causes problem in our society. If you're kid went to a school where they play sports all day I don't think he'd ever get diagnosed with ADHD. In regards to the drugs, I think you're right to not get him on them until he's at an age when he can have an opinion for himself whether he should take them or not. A lot if people talk about being forced to take them as kids and being unhappy. In regards to ASD, it can be very subttle and so you shouldn't disregard it all together. We're not all bloody rain man. Don't think of it as your kid being "special"; think of it as the part of your kids brain responsible for socialising is also under active. You'll need to give him extra social education. Intensively. Teach him game cos he certainly won't pick it up naturally. If you make the effort most mild ASD kids fit in just fine.

 

[Bible_Belt]

Down here in 'murica we have schools that focus on important things, like taking standardized tests to see how good we are at standardized tests so we know which new standardized tests to give. We've also solved the problem of low graduation rates by giving high school degrees to illiterate kids, and even college degrees if those illiterate kids play football or basketball. To be fair to illiterate college athletes, there were a long line of teachers who passed them as students, and a high school principal's signature on their diploma. Plus, it's not like any amount of effort on the athlete's part is going to help them; they couldn't read their own textbooks even if they tried. If you ever watch NCAA Div I sports, 10-20% of those guys can't read at a 2nd or 3rd grade level. They shouldn't have graduated elementary school, much less college.

 

[Desdinova]

Bible Belt, do you think it's different here? They have no problem passing my kid. School's a joke. The potential of failing a grade was motivation because the kid didn't wanna be seen as stupid. Now, everybody gets their feelings considered. We don't need anybody crying!

As for game, I don't think he's gonna have much of a problem. He takes on after me. A LOT.