Expert: Sharon Crandall - 6/3/2010

Question
My son is 17 and ending Junior yr in High School and will be signing up shortly for Delayed Entry Program to become a Marine.  He has been struggling in school since Freshman year(Elementary and Middle went well, B Student). Can't seem to stay focussed, doesn't like school, classes not interesting, teachers suck...all his reasons.  Out of the blue, his counselor suggested to him that he may be ADD.  He can't get tested and put on Meds now because the Marines will reject him.  What other methods , other than Meds can he use or do?

Answer
Dear Steven,

I wish I could help you more than just this letter. He needs a complete Personality Science assessment so that I could tell what traits are making it difficult in this school setting.  Unfortunately, the only thing these counselors can offer is to label practically all kids that do not fit into the standard school methods/agenda as having ADD. The fault usually lies with the school setting and not the child. Be thankful he can't get on these addictive medications that only mask problems, in most cases. While they do help a child to focus, sometimes, the underlying challenges are still there.

These challenges are usually that the child has the type of learning style that does not fit into a regular school curriculum. I do not know if I could do well in school as they are today and would probably feel much like your son. I think most school curriculum and the way it is presented by most teachers (because of pressure from government guidelines and unending paperwork they must deal with) is totally uninteresting.

You see, there are many types of genius. Not all children are created to sit quietly, read, and take tests well. The more creative children are simply left out. If he gets B's, and even C's I think that is great, considering the circumstances. Many great people, who have contributed significantly to our world, did not do well in school. Also, some people simply do not come into their gifts and find themselves and their niche until they get out of school. I guess what I am trying to say here, is that this idea that something is wrong with a child if he doesn't do well in the school setting is just not true.

Go to my website and click on testimonials. There are a couple of case histories that you might find interesting that will encourage you in your situation.

Now, we all can improve our brain and how it functions. Is your son in music? Playing a musical instrument helps to organize the brain. I would also look for word games online.

If you can answer a few questions then I can follow through again and help you more. What does he like to do in his spare time? In your observation, what is he good at, or could be good at? Do not overlook even little things, as it will give me a clue to his gift traits. Is he good at multi-tasking? What does he like to talk about?

Just give me a little more insight and I will be able to offer more suggestions, OK?

I can also be contacted through my website, www.personalityconsultant.com that will take you to my personal email. I will be happy to maintain contact for awhile to see if I can help. I can also send you excerpts from my book on ADD/ADHD that I have not published yet.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Sharon Crandall
www.personalitysciencesays.blogspot.com
www.personalityconsultant.com