Re: Are you afraid?
Deb Williams, CPA (DEBW@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU)
Tue, 21 Feb 1995 11:08:03 EST
From: Deb Williams, CPA
Controller's Office: Financial Reporting Section
Virginia Tech 201 Southgate Center 0312 (703) 231-8556
Tony this isn't a flame. Being a parent of two ADD kids has taught me ALOT!
Mainly I learned that usually its really easy to turn the kids around when you
say the words right.
For the kid that always gets misdirected, with hands and arms everywhere...
keep him BUSY! But keep him busy with simple directions: Instead of: Go and
clean your room. Use: Go and put your shoes in your closet and come and tell
me when you're done. Then: Go and put your books on your bookshelf and come
and tell me when you're done.
When the kid has begun to do an action that is inappropriate: "Bill, this is a
direction, put the ball on the stage, now."
How long does it take to learn to work with kids with ADD? All your life.
Notice the operative word is kids, many ADD kids learn to overcome the
disability.
How long does it take to learn not to say please? Depends on what type of
person you are. To a kid with ADD, please is a request he can ignore at his
option. So you say "Thank you. And GREAT JOB" instead.
How long does it take to talk to a professional teacher about this condition?
About 4 hours to begin to gain an understanding. You have to practice what you
were taught to get better at it.
How long does it take to talk to parents for some guidelines? Certainly not
more than 4 hours.
How long does it take to consult a Higher Authority for some guidance? That
depends on you and how well you know that Higher Authority.
Does it always work? Who are we kidding! We know it doesn't. Does it take a
lot of compassion? YOU BET! Does it take a lot of patience? You'd better
believe it! Who does it help? You; you get smarter. The kid with ADD; he gets
a chance to flourish in a kinetic environment which is the best environment
for most boys to learn in. And the troop learns to appreciate diversity. To
accept others for where they are coming from and what they have to offer to
the world. I didn't mention it, but kids with ADD make some of the best
criminals the world has seen. You see often, they have VERY high IQ's and
when society doesn't find room for them they can really strike back.
Do we have lots of volunteer's in the USA. Maybe. But I always was brought up
to believe and have found it to be true: I am only one, but I CAN make a
difference.
Besides, on the cynical side, as an accountant, I'd rather spend a few more
minutes learning how to work with the kid now and have him support my
government retirement plan than me have to work to support his prison term.
Like I tried to say in my previous posting. There are cases where you just
can't make it work. But don't just give up on a boy out of hand. That also
sends a message.
I feel so strongly about this Tony, because I'm glad my teachers, my club
leaders, my athletics coaches, my family and my friends didn't give up on me.
Instead they taught me how to turn it to my advantage.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
