School:
- Nurse:
Make sure the nurse knows what is going on, even if there are no
medications to be given. A child with behavioral disorders can be risk takers,
which means more injuries. A child with depresion will have unexplained
headaches and stomachaches. The nurse will be able to tell when it is time
to call you.
- Principal: Hopefully you will have an understanding one. They need to be
informed about your child's treatment plan. They also need to know when something changes.
Keeping up with the principal will make your child's life at school easier. If the
principal is not understanding then you may want to consider switching schools to protect
your child, or go to the school board to see what can be done.
- Counselor: Ahhh, the wonders of a counselor. They will be able to help divert
any problems that come up in school and can assist a teacher in dealing with your child.
Look into having the counselor develop a plan for you and your child.
- Teachers: Oh, boy; some are great, others will want to make you scream. Monitor what is going
on in your child's classroom. The teacher can provide valuable insight into
your child's problems. When they know what is going on, teachers are usually
very helpful. If you get an 'ole fuddy duddy, stuck in their ways, switch teachers
if possible.
Your child spends at least 60% of their waking hours in school, so it is important
to know what is going on and to keep tabs on everyone. When my daughter has a
good day at school then she has a better evening at home, the vice versa is also
true.
Set up a weekly meeting, if possible, with those who have contact with your child
at school. This is where you can address problems/concerns and let them know
what is working and what isn't.
I am lucky, my daughter's school has been very co-operative and helpful. She has a
young, idealistic, enthusiastic teacher who has developed a behavioral modification
plan for the classroom that has really worked.
