There is a GATE program in the district.

I finally spoke with the counselor by phone yesterday. She spoke with DS teacher, and the consensus on their part seems to be that he his having difficulty with anxiety during "novel" situations. ( her words ). EX: they took a field trip to a space museum this week and each child was in charge of a different aspect of their "Mission", DS was to read directions on cards as part of the Medical Team, and execute what was on the card. He needed to be re-directed several times by the co-ordinator, who finally brought the teacher in to help him. The counselor felt that he was having anxiety re: the outcome of the mission.
Let me say that this does not sound like my child. What I imagine happened was that this was a really cool field trip for him, and there was so much going on that he had trouble focusing on one aspect of the "Mission". Just my opinion.

She thinks that he also has difficulty in group work because he cannot control the outcome. He tells me it's just easier to work alone because then he doesn't have to argue with someone over whether he is right or not. ( Although sometimes he's not! ).


Regardless, I informed the counselor that we were instructed to increase the dose of Concerta (after I got ahold of the peds finally yesterday). We will be doing this on a VERY trial basis. She seemed happy with this development. I also brought up the GATE program and she made sure I was aware that their testing was done in the spring, and no, DS did not qualify, though she is going to retrieve his scores for our review. I did bring up the fact that maybe the scores were not accurate, if he has difficulty paying attention, but she didn't seem to think this was the case.

For now, we are trying to play by the school's rules. I am sure they want to see him medicated, which we will do for a short time after Thanksgiving Break. I am still looking for someone to do further testing, which is kind of hard to find in our kind of small town.

Thanks to all for letting me vent..still appreciate any input.

Jen