Repeating third grade?
My niece, who lives with me and has inattentive ADHD, is currently enrolled in a Catholic school. I received her latest progress report. She needs improvement in all subject and the teacher commented that she is not ready to go to 4th grade. Has anyone experienced or know of a kid who was retained to her/his grade level? My concern is that this may give her a negative impact as all her classmates are moving up to 4th grade and she is staying behind. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.
Feb 5, 2017
Parent Replies
Here is my two cents: 1. Certainly, get another opinion, it's a big decision. 2. Don't rule it out. I have an 8th grader and I wish, wish wish someone had suggested we hold her back in elementary school. Now it feels too late. She is not the youngest in her class but she feels developmentally unready for the work. My nephew was a November baby and repeated first grade -- he went from real 'problems' to being an academic star and he never looked back. Third grade is harder, but it's still do-able. You could also switch schools if it's too much to do at the same school
I have a 14 year old son with ADHD. I was in the reverse position. He was very far behind his peers and I argued for retention but was shut down. (He was maybe in the 2nd/3rd grade?) This was a public school and his IEP team indulged me with an inventory that showed it was inappropriate. Cannot recall what it is named now. Apparently research shows that retention does not remedy the issue as I thought. My son was not held back. I did start private tutoring and he is doing well!!! Here is a link that could help support your argument: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/promoretntn.asp
Good luck.
If it's possible I'd change schools next year. I can't even imagine how humiliating it would be to repeat a grade at the same school.
Inattentive ADHD is often coupled with LD (learning disabilities). Have you ever had her tested? One option might be to have her evaluated for any potential learning challenges and then to arrange for a private ed therapist to work with her to bring her up to grade level. With some time to go until next fall, depending on her potential issues and how far behind she may be, it might be worth a shot as opposed to holding her back altogether. Wishing her all the best!
public schools offer 504 accommodations, like more time to finish tasks or more supervision to stay focus for children with ADHD. Also she can get an IEP, since she is under average, she would qualify. Private schools usually have higher standards, I would not held her back. Good luck