So I'm feeling a little uncomfortable.

Brian's* mom brought me the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale last week.

Asked me to observe her son for a month or so and fill out and return the paper to her.

A google search gave me quite a lot of information about this test, including how a child is rated.

That just feels wrong to me, to use the word 'rated' in regards to a child.

Many of the items on the paper given to me are things I won't be able to observe. Our program isn't an academic setting, and I don't require him to 'organize tasks and activities'. I won't notice if he 'makes careless mistakes in schoolwork', either.

There is no section or area for me to write comments. Everything is on a scale of 0 to 3, 0=never; 1=occasionally; 2=often; 3= very often.

I'd love an essay section, but I really wouldn't have to write much.

Most of the questions on the diagnostic profile could be answered in two little words.

He's five.

If pressed, I could add a bit more, but really, that just about covers it.

Let's take number three, for example.


3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

Um, hello?? HE'S FIVE!!

Or let's skip on down to 10.

10.Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

Did I mention he's five?

So here's a fact or two.
I'm really, really good at what I do. I love the kids, I am creative about ways to help them entertain themselves, and I spend a lot of time thinking about my job... coming up with ideas etc.

But I am just a glorified babysitter. Forget how good I am at this. Forget the empathy. The compassion. The sense of humor. The intelligence with which I approach problems.

All of those things are there... but I am not qualified nor do I wish to judge someone's child, especially based on things that are so subjective.

Now I realize that my input on this form is a tiny part of a much larger picture, and that what I say about Brian isn't going to be all that important in the final evaluation.

I am so very uncomfortable with the idea that a five year old is being evaluated in such a calculating manner. That someone thinks a child who is five years old, and indulges in age-appropriate behavior might need to be repaired.

I really, really don't want to participate in this. My focus is to accept the children for who/how they are, and work with that.

This is a bright little boy. He's engaging, intelligent, and very sweet. He has a kind heart, loves his big brother and his mom and dad, is very excited about all kinds of things, and is just a blast to have around. I love having him in the group.

He doesn't need fixed.
Medicated.

When someone that small is acting (gasp) like a child... it's not the child that's the problem.

Expecting a five year old (or a six year old or a seven year old...okay, any age, on up through adulthood) to sit still when you're BORING them and there are so many interesting things in the world to explore is just silly.

I am on the unfortunate side of forty, and will be 50 in just a couple weeks. If you put me in a lecture, I will doodle. I will fidget. I will shift positions frequently in my chair. I will try to wiggle my toes one at a time. My mind will skip and I'll find myself thinking about laundry or shopping or a book I was reading or a craft project idea for work. I'll surreptitiously look at the time every few minutes. I'll make time comparisons in my mind: this will be over in the amount of time it takes to do two loads of laundry from washer to dryer to folding and putting away.

I seem to be a productive member of society all the same.
And although I am currently medicated (Hooray for modern pharmaceuticals!!) it's not because I can't sit still in a classroom. Never has been.

I realize that much of schooling is based on the unrealistic idea that children will sit still while bits of knowledge are bolted on or poured into their little brains.

I understand that it's disruptive to have a child or two or three who don't go along with the classroom agenda.

Wouldn't it be easier to take the rowdy ones and let them learn differently? Like jumping on a trampoline while reciting the ABC's. Or running when they need to run. Or talking when they're enthusiastic about something.

Brian's mom, like all the other moms, loves her little boy and is trying to do what's best for him.

But I'm contemplating a gentle version of this post to print out for her.

What do you think?

And here's an update:

I talked with Sunshine about this at work on Wednesday.

She said that we actually are exempted from filling these out, that I am to pass it to my supervisor and let the parent know that I'm not qualified to fill out the survey.
That's a relief for me... but do you think I should still talk to Mom and tell her that he's just... five?