Do we get the support we need?

I recently asked a question on FB & Twitter regarding alternatives to meds for ADD/ADHD diagnosed children.  My friends graciously supplied me with info, opinions and knowledge. For that I'm grateful. But it got my thinking about this little girl's particular situation.

She's 7, in 2nd grade at public school.  She's having a very difficult time with school work, especially math. She's extremly bright, but it appears that she's not grasping concepts. Because most of learning is built on previous concepts - she is starting to fall behind.  & as anyone who's ever fallen behind at school knows, once you start, it takes divine intervention to catch up.

Her parents have done what they can within the system to get her help. However, the teacher, admin & school district all seem to push back and resist all efforts. They are insisting the child be labeled in some way for them to provide help or cirriculum beyond the normal. She must be "ADD" or "learning-disabled" for them to step up with the parents and provide the extra attention she needs. 

It appears to me the school system is failing her, making her accept a limiting label in exchange for additional attention. But maybe I'm not thinking about this the right way. I'd like to hear other opinions on this - please feel free to comment.

Vent

I just need to vent. I need to have someone listen to me, pay attention to me. Not give me 1/2 a fucking ear while giggling over an IM convo that is SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THEN ME! Sux.

Writing & Observation

Part of my NY res is to relearn to write all the time, whether I'm motivated or not.

I've noticed that we've become a nation of stoics.  When we're in public, we wear masks that we never let anyone see an emotion. We silently stand there, at bus stops, in line at the grocery store, not betraying our thoughts. Even when we are listening to our private music, no feet tapping, no mouthing lyrics, and certainly no head bobbing in time with the beat.  Head bobbing is only allowed when we've fallen asleep.

So with that observation, I will revise my statement: we're a nation that is only allowed to show how sleepy we are. Nothing more...