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Stories from the Documentary: Nathan V. LaurenSarah LeeAdamNathan S.
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Recent responses to the Misunderstood Minds documentary and Web site. March 19, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: To Parents of Children w/ADHD and Educators of Students with ADHD, I am an educator, and I specialize in ESL and Writing at the K-12 and college levels. I have worked for many years with students who have ADHD, and I have developed several teaching strategies for teachers (of such students) who want to be more effective. These students need to learn about their condition as it relates to the writing process. They have more strengths than weaknesses. For example, the first step of the writing process is brainstorming. These kids are expert brainstormers and can be tremendous helpers for students who cannot brainstorm easily. The second step is organizing information - the major weakness for these students. They need special strategies for this step. The teacher must anticipate that the student is likely to stumble here so that s/he can reinforce those special writing strategies and avoid the emotional blowout that can come as a result. There is SO much more we can do to teach students with ADHD how to write. Some of my students have become top-notch writers, able to compete with absolutely anyone. They could very well become professional writers. Special strategies for teaching writing to students with ADHD is an important area that I am working on to develop for K-12 and college level professional development. I would welcome any information that you might have come across regarding this. I didn't choose this area in which to specialize; I was chosen. Actually, I was shoved kicking and screaming into this area of my profession because I had to find a way to help my son learn to write. In our family, my husband and two of our four children have ADHD. It has changed our lives. We struggle with it as a family, but we are making it. We use Ritalin in various forms, and we find it to be a vital piece of the ENTIRE multifaceted approach to dealing with ADHD. It is not a silver bullet by any means, but it can mean the difference between a child reaching his/her full potential or struggling just below that level. I realize that Ritalin has gotten a bad reputation among some; however, I have found that when our children were properly diagnosed and other aspects of treatment (such as counseling) were sought, Ritalin-type medications improved their quality of life so much more! That improvement extended absolutely to the rest of us in the family. On bad days, I curse this condition. I pray for patience and just try to make it to bedtime. The two other children without ADHD sometimes need to be especially patient. I hope that someday, when they are all grown up, the two children with ADHD will finally appreciate the sacrifice the rest of the family has made. Well, I like to think that, anyway. On good days, ADHD can be a tremendous help. There are some Saturdays when it all comes together like magic, and NO ONE could clean a house faster, more thoroughly, and with higher spirits than my ADHD kids and husband. They have the energy and enjoy the movement. They never seem to tire. My only concern is keeping them on task, and that is not a major problem. I have learned lots of fun ways to do this: playing music, making a contest, promising rewards, etc. Those are the moments when I allow myself to really embrace and, just for a minute, actually enjoy this ADHD. I'm waiting for science to develop the medication that the REST of the family can take to tolerate the ADHD crowd. (smile) Did I mention that a good sense of humor is the most essential tool in your Living-with-ADHD Kit? It is. If you don't have one, get one. I wish you happiness. Sincerely, Karen Keyworth March 19, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: Thank you. Thank you for your work and for giving us more information to help our children. I have a 12 year old son with MULTIPLE learning differences and I am constantly looking for new information to help him and to help his teachers understand what he is dealing with. I don't think any of us who do not have these difficulties truly "get it". My son has a great attitude and work ethic. He comes home every day to not only do his homework but to get the work done he was suppose to do in class. Finally, (in the last couple of years) more information is becoming available, and ideas on how to help these kids cope. So thank you for your site. March 19, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: I am looking forward to this program with an enthuisiam(?) that words cannot describe!! I am an adult with Multiple LDs and a Developmental Disability that my family didn't tell me about until I was 30 years old!! Had I known about this situation earlier, maybe I would have had my life go in different/better direction--Possibly even looking at early retirement options. Will there be anything about adults, like myself, who have been 'THROWN AWAY' by society due to mis-diagnosis of LD? If not, I would like to offer my research into the subject and my 'BEEN THERE--DONE THAT!' experience. March 19, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: I am a first grade teacher and this website is a wonderful resource for parents and teachers! I appreciate the resources available, especially the demos that allow us to experience learning through the eyes (or ears) of someone with learning differences. Thank you for giving these children an opportunity to share their stories. March 19, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: My physical disability was never an issue when I went to public school. I had no special anything, except I did get out of gym my last two years of high school. I had to do all of the work, etc., in order to get promoted from grade to grade (just as the rest of my classmates)to get my high school diploma, The teachers did realize I had a physical disability(there was a lot of attitude adjustment made by the staff, as physical and mental disabilities went together back then), but it was never an issue or a way to get exceptions made in my class work (it was a safety issue only, in case if an emergency.). It extremely rare that someone judged me by what I could do...it was always, what I could not do...Then there are all these 'professionals' who think they know what they are doing when it comes to persons with disabilities. The majority has not a clue. A lot of parents of children with disabilities do not have a clue either...they mean well, but a lot of them can get so protective of their child, the child never gets to find what he/she can really do or can not do...Find out what a child can do, and work with that...and all these disorders that have exploded in the public school population these past 20 years?...I would guess one third of the kids with the labels would not have them, if they were disciplined, and taught to be responsible for their actions....but then how many adults are there in this world of ours that take responsibilities for their actions... So it will remain, the so called 'professionals' making lots of money, by stating they are experts in the field of disabilities...and those of us (like me) who are true experts with disabilities, as we have dealt with them a good part, if not all of our lives. But we can find work, oh no... as we have disabilities, and we can not do anything.... I am angry, bitter, and disgusted....as I see no end in sight. March 19, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: The PBS program Misunderstood Minds has been added as a resource to the following ADHD discussion site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADHD_Bulletin_Board/ Charles T. Wild An adult with mild ADHD - Inattentive type - including Central Auditory Processing Disorder - CAPD (new term is APD - Auditory Processing Disorder). March 18, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: I have taught special education students in the public schools for twenty five years and have long admired the work of Dr. Levine. This website looks like a terrific resource. It's unfortunate, in my mind, that Misunderstood Minds' initial broadcast on PBS is scheduled for the first night of Passover, when Jewish families will be together celebrating a very important holiday. While I intend to tape the program, and watch it some time after the holiday, its scheduling has unfortunately colored my view of the program. Sincerely, Robin Blum March 18, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: Are you considering impaired hearing as part of this problem of misunderstood "minds"? It is estimated that on any given day, at least 30% of students have conditions that cause mild to moderate hearing loss in one or both ears. Many of these children experience repeated episodes of fluctuating hearing loss throughout the important primary and elementary school years. In addition, of course, are students who have ongoing hearing loss that may or may not be successfully treated. Classroom acoustics are an important consideration in educating these students as well as those with ADHD and other attentional issues. I'd appreciate any info on whether you are including these topics. Our publication, Hearing Health magazine, and website, www.hearinghealthmag.com, may be able to help provide support and information. Lorraine Short, Contributing Editor March 18, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: I have a 12 year old son whom has been diagnosed with adhd is gifted in math and I believe science. He has problems with impulsivity, organization and socializing. He is also having odd problems, mostly at home. I am currently having John reevaluated by the school he is in now. In the past he was in special ed for his adhd. He also used to be in gifted math. However when we moved at the end of his 5th grade year his records did not transfer. I did tell the school he was adhd and in gifted math. For the past 2 years I have had to tell each teacher his deficits. They are not present in all classes but English classes are very difficult for him. Last year he barely made it through pre algebra. It appears to me that when a lot of homework is required he has difficulties, certain teachers seem to be unable to motivate him. In my talks with the school psychologist and counselor they tell me he is no messier or unorganized than typical 7th grade boys, his refusal to do homework is normal but they do see he does have a great deal of difficulties making friends. He has been given 7 or 8 detentions for inappropriate behavior, for example putting powdered sugar on his face via doughnuts, making a weapon out of an automatic pencil and there was another student who was exposing himself at lunch time, my son was one he exposed himself to twice during the first half of the year, the third time it involved another boy who hesitated to put his head under the table in the lunch room and my son pushed his head down while the other boy exposed himself. The last one was a suspension, 2 days. He obviously has a problem with impulse control. John is very honest and admits when he makes a mistake. He knows afterwards exactly the wrong of what he did but fails to think about it before he does it. We meet the 26th of this month. He was given the wisc III, wiat, and connors behavior ratings scale (teachers), he is also being observed by the emotional disturbance teacher, she will be interviewing him also. John has also told me recently he is unable to put his thoughts on paper. He has no problem with verbal problems or math but if he is asked to answer something in writing he always gets the answer wrong. March 18, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: I'm glad to actually find a topic that explains the problems that my child is experiencing. We are coping with these disabilities and are wondering how we can get help. My child wasn't able to read when she was promoted to grade K. This wasn't a requirement but was truly needed. She is experiencing problems in reading. We thought that at first it was attention deficit disorder, but reading this documentary we feel that it something different. She is having problems decoding, comprehension and retention. She has been placed in a reading recovery program at school to help improved her reading skills, but we don't see any improvement. Know we find out that our daughter is at a reading level 6 and needs a 17 to be promoted to the next level. March 18, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: The topics of this documentary hit very close to home for my family. Oh, the stories I could tell you! The ordeal we have been through since age 3. My son is ADHD and LD and in the sixth grade. He is extremely intelligent, extremely ADHD and hard to medicate and extremely LD. The combination makes it extremely hard to find the right school setting. The right public elementary school in 1st, 4th and 5th was wonderful. Public middle school has completely failed him (you mentioned falling through the cracks), despite an IEP and consistent and persistent pleading, educating and advising on my part. There is no enforcement of the IEP, the schools know it and many take advantage of it. It is so much easier on them to let these children fail and fall through the cracks than to educate the teachers and have them exert extra effort. Watch out - be in CONSTANT communication. On a positive note, I have found a private school dedicated to the needs of children with learning differences that has welcomed my son with open arms. Because of their warmth and understanding my son is doing beautifully there now, after a mid-year switch. My only regret here is I know there are kids who need these services and cannot afford to send their children to special schools. Knowing the depression my son faced after a harrowing first half of this school year, I can only imagine the toll it takes on a child with ADHD, LD or both, when their needs are not addressed. These children have SO MUCH to offer all of us! Never give up. Learn everything you can. Understanding allows you to love your child even more. March 15, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: I'm viewing this Web site with tears in my eyes. I want to purchase this video and give it to every teacher in America. I recently read a quote by Rick Lavoie, Schwab Learning Foundation: "Learning disabilities: the real challenge is educating those who don't have them." It's unfortunate that only parents such as I will probably find this Web site, when it's the other 3/4 of the population that needs to see it. I hope that PBS really gets the word out on this show that is to air on March 27th. We have been struggling with this for 6 years, since my son entered Kindergarten (well since birth really!). He's SO bright, but has struggled academically, and it has been such a long haul for us (fighting for special ed. services when he's two points away from their "severe discrepancy"). We just recently found a school in our city to move him to, it's just for kids with learning disabilities, ADHD, etc. I feel extremely lucky and fortunately to have found this school, because I really do know what would have happened if he continued in his downward spiral of failing grades and most importantly, self-esteem (fighting back tears here!). I see these shows, and always wish that they would come to my house, visit my son's class, but I know that there are so many kids like him out there--I know we're not alone in this. My only hope is that all the teachers in American will be educated in this issue. March 14, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: As an adult with a non-verbal learning disability, I am very disappointed that once again, NLD is ignored on a show about learning disabilities. Come on guys, it's about time that someone in the media step up to the plate and give this particular learning disability the acknowledgement it deserves. I realize it's not as well known but if you had done a web search, you would have easily found these three sites: http://www.nldline.com http://www.nldontheweb.org http://www.nlda.org Also, when you are going to start realizing that learning disabilities do not disappear in adulthood? Please don't misunderstand me, I am happy to see a show on LD as they are far, few, and between. But I am so tired of feeling like LD Adults continue to be the stepchildren in the LD Community just like NLD is the stepchild of the different LD disorders. March 14, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: Thank you so much for this site! I have been anxiously awaiting it to be available since your winter preview came out via email. I am a Health teacher and it fits perfectly into my "Empathy and Compassion" lesson. My goal is encourage students to re-evaluate their actions towards others by stepping into the shoes of someone else. Hopefully in the end they will acknowledge that the struggles some students face on a daily basis don't need to be compounded by being picked over those exact disabilities. Thanks so much. Great Job ... can't wait to see the show. Lisa McAllister Syracuse, NY March 14, 2002 Dear Misunderstood Minds: My son is Nathan VanHoy one of the children in the program and I would like to add a note. During filming about a year or so ago I was asked if I had any idea as to why my son may have a disability and at the time I had no idea whatsoever. Since that time I have been trained in the hazards of Lead-Based Paint and the hazards to children one of which is learning disorders.I work as a construction advisor for the city of Winston_Salem NC as well as Lead inspector.I know for certain that while Nathan's mother was pregnant I brought home lead dust on my clothing as well generated it in our own home as we renovated our older home while living there. Both of these activities are direct and serious hazards to children. I unknowingly continued contaminating our home after Nathan and his sister were born. While I cannot say for certain that Lead Paint dust caused Nathan's disability it certainly placed he and his sister at high risk.Had I known then what I do now I would have taken the proper precautions. Law governs what may and may not be done with old lead-based paint in housing that receive federal monies but not in private homes. I teach a course in the local community college titled Lead-Based Paint Hazards and certify construction workers to work in a safe manner so as not to lead poison children. It is ironic that I may have done so myself. Michael VanHoy |
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produced by © 2002 WGBH Educational Foundation All rights reserved |
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