Insist on High Expectations

Riley has been seeing a reading tutor through an organisation that specialises in dyslexia for the last year. At the beginning of this term we had to switch to a different tutor, within the same organisation.

to reading this:

As you can see, this is a huge improvement in five weeks and I still don't have Photoshop.

I have no criticism for his first tutor, she is very knowledgable and professinal, as is his current tutor. The difference is that his current tutor recognised that Riley, if pushed a little bit, was capable of more. It turns out that she is right.

As a parent, I want all those who deal with my son to expect high expectations, to push him to achieve a little higher. I don't want his educators to be unrealistic in their expectations, but I want him to be always working towards the next level, not just plateauing at his current level. Educational psychologist, Vygotsky, termed this'the zone of proximal development', the distance between the actual development level and the potential development level. It is the teacher's role to ensure that children are supported to get to the next actual development level and one of the ways this is done is by having high expectations.

I will never accept anything but high expectations for my child again. I know that he is a bright boy, but he is not old enough, nor intrinsically motivated enough to challenge himself, so I have put this responsiblity on his teachers. It is a big responsibility and I will work with them to support this, but this is want I want and I will insist on it.

How Lucky We Are

I have been following the Syrian civil war since the beginning, but I was listening to Triple J's Hack program this afternoon and heard about the massacre that took place in Al-Houla on Friday where 92 people were killed at close range, a third of them children. Soldiers shot, or stabbed these innocent people at close range, babies included. The killing appeared indiscriminate.

The news reporter described what is now uploaded on youtube and it sounded horrific. I watched some of this footage and felt sick, my blood cooled. I've posted the link not because I think anyone should watch it, but because some people might. If you do watch it that is up to you, but don't do it around children. Its only three minutes long, but seems much longer.

To me, this footage and others like it astound me. I just do not understand what person could commit such atrocities to another person and how this can be ordered and sanctioned in our world.

As Australians, we are very lucky and in some ways our isolation protects us, but it shouldn't completely shield us from the inhumane actions of other governments. If you believe in petitions, then this is the link to one that Save the Children have http://action.savethechildren.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=7&ea.campaign.id=13920.

I hope I don't ofend anyone by writing this post and sharing this link. If you do not want to watch the link stop now.

Graphic video footage below



Boys - The World is Their Toilet

This is a picture of wee next to the toilet. Not even that close to the toilet. I see this sight quite often and not just next to my toilet, but at friend's houses. When do boys learn to point and aim with accuracy? I've lost count of the number of times that I have gone to the toilet in the dark in the middle of the night and sat on wee. It is really gross and cold! I have come to realise that for boys, the world is their toilet.

Friends were over tonight and my girlfriend commented that her husband often weed in the garden and that her dogs then went and weed over his wee, like some man versus dog pissing contest.

I often have to stop on the way home to let Riley out to have a wee on the side of the road. It is somehow acceptable for a boy to do this.

At times I am jealous that I can't wee publically with such ease. Camping would be a whole lot easier with a penis. There is something that you can buy to be able to wee like a man, maybe I'll look into getting that next time I go camping.

In the meantime, I would just like the boys of the world to try to aim a little more accurately, and if they can't do that to clean up their mess. No wonder my toilet smells like a toilet!

Natural Standards

Because it is Saturday, because I am a teacher and because a friend posted this link on facebook today, I thought I would share it. Down with the John Kiwis of our education system, adversity does not get results.

What NAPLAN Did For Me

I think NAPLAN testing is a complete waste of money and time. I have zero value for it. I strongly believe that we should get rid of NAPLAN for so many reasons, but this post is to thank NAPLAN.

Without NAPLAN my family would not have had the discussion about the lack of value in standardised testing. A form of testing that predominantly tests the taker's ability to do a test and pits school against school.

Without NAPLAN, I would not have spoken on ABC radio which also led to a nearly week long discussion about dyslexia and the fact that it is not recognised as a learning disability by the WA Department of Education.

Without NAPLAN I would not have been forced into making some tough decisions about Riley's schooling.

Without NAPLAN my child would not be as happy as he was today when he got dropped off to his new school.

Without NAPLAN my child would not be as happy and forthcoming about his day as he is when we pick him up from his new school.

For many reasons NAPLAN is wrong, but what it did do for our family was to make us make a change for the better for our child. We had so many niggling issues about his schooling, but the way they approached these tests with our child was enough to push us to action. As a parent, schools are intimidating, but if you feel that something really does not sit right with your child's schooling don't be afraid to ask questions and if you don't get the answer you like, don't be afraid to move them. Kids are very resilient.

If you want to follow the NAPLAN debate check out Greg Thompson@resultsofNAPLAN and his website http://effectsofnaplan.edu.au/

Photoshop Me!

Is everything photoshopped today? We've all seen the before and after shots of Photoshopped models, but there is a whole new wave of photoshopping. My husband took Riley to an airshow on the weekend and took some beautiful photos. Two of my favourite people are professional photographers, so I proudly showed them the photos that my husband took of Riley and make the joke that he didn't even use Photoshop. He then piped up and said that actually they were a bit Photoshopped.

No wonder my photos always look so medicore! I do not know how to use Photshop, I don't even have it on my computer.

Gone are the days of the unmodified family snap, now days, in this house, you Photoshop then print. I'm going to jump on board and install Photoshop onto my computer. This will be fun! Apparently you can even take a few kilos off via Photoshop, so farewell diet!

Happy snapping!

 

Please Help A Worthy Cause

Dyslexia is characterised by a significant disability with reading and spelling. Dyslexia often presents in children who otherwise appear capable and academically promising. It is estimated that two to three children in every classroom have dyslexia.

5-10% of children and adults struggle with dyslexia daily. Research shows that children with dyslexia are at greater risk of behaving badly at school, becoming socially withdrawn and developing depression. Currently dyslexia is not recognised as a learning disability in any state other than New South Wales. Similar nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have 'dyslexia friendly schools'.

With the national focus on standardised testing, it seems incongruous that the Western Australian government does not recognise dyslexia as a learning disability, thereby enabling the appropriate educational support for our dyslexic children.

If you live in Western Australia, please click the link below and sign the petition to the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia to recognise dyslexia as a learning disability.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-dyslexia-as-a-recognised-learning-disability-in.html

Funny Things Riley Has Said

I used to carry around a little book where I wrote down the funny things that Riley said, then I switched handbags and didn't switch the book. I found the little book today and thought I would share these with you.

Some are from a few years ago, so I'm including photos that match the age.

On nose picking, "I never get to pick my nose! You don't understand, its who I am".

After doing some pretty good colouring in, "I don't think I need to go to school anymore".

Knick knack names, instead of nicknames

"Blah, blah black sheep."

In 2010 Riley changed his middle name to Happy, he still writes this as part of his full name.

"The lion in Narnia is a really good actor".

On how much he'd like for dinner, "I'd like a hat full please".

And when asked where he lives, "I live on Hampster Street". Lol, we don't, although it is an improvement as he used to say he lived on Riley Street.

I'm happy I have found my little book, I'm going to go and put it  in my bag and remember to start using it again.

Secret Teacher Letter, its Sad, but True

As a settle into a night of marking Year 11 English assignments, I thought I would share this letter, that can't be sent, published by The Guardian on Saturday.

The Secret Teacher writes an honest letter home

Photograph: www.alamy.com

Dear Mr and Mrs Parent,


I'm sorry I have to write to you, but it is important you know that your daughter is not progressing as well as she could at school. This isn't her fault, it is the school's.

I only teach your daughter one subject, RE, which she is forced to do and she isn't terribly interested in it. I see her once a week for 50 minutes. As there are 30 other students in the class this means that, if I did nothing else all lesson, I could spend about 100 seconds with her as an individual a week. To teach her, to get to know her, to understand her as a young person. But, as you well know, there are some children in her class who demand much more of my time. This inevitably means that some students will be left with nothing. Unfortunately, that applies to your child. I'll be honest, I haven't held a proper conversation with her in weeks.

I teach 400 children. Slightly more, actually, but we'll call it 400. That means your daughter counts for 0.25% of the children I teach. It is difficult for me to honestly and accurately tell you anything about her, so please forgive me if I speak in vague generalities at parents' evening and try to avoid using your daughter's name. I might have forgotten it.
I teach twenty five lessons a week. Despite my best intentions, some of these lessons are boring. To plan an outstanding lesson can take hours. I can't do that for every lesson I teach. Sometimes I stand in class delivering a lesson I know isn't as good as it could be. I know how to make it better. I just didn't have the time to do it. I don't think the children notice, they are used to this.

Schools are full of middle-management types. They like to take "learning walks" around the school and "quality control". They sit at the back of my class and want to know if the students have been told their "learning objectives" and if they are sat in a "seating plan". They believe that learning simply cannot take place if the students haven't been told what to do and where to sit.  What you might consider real work: comprehension, creative writing, silent reading or a class questioning the teacher about the topic being studied is considered hopelessly old-fashioned and slightly abusive by my superiors. Instead they like almost anything involving power-points, scissors and glue. All work for students needs to be scaffolded. That means be done for them. The very notion of giving a student a task they might fail is considered child abuse. Every task must be completable within about ten minutes. 

The school needs to improve, but I'm not sure it can. Common sense and trust in human communication is being forced out of the profession. A lot of teachers seem to like being told exactly what to do and how to do it. The status quo is just fine for a lot of middle and senior management too. It allows them to wield power, justify inflated salaries and be recognised by their peers as being "outstanding" teachers. A recognition the children in their classes would never give them. Never mind. They never really liked teaching children that much anyway.

I'm sorry to have to write to you like this and tell you that your daughter is under-performing. But I'm part of this system. And I had to confess.

Yours
Secret Teacher

http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2012/may/19/secret-teacher-letter-home
• Today's Secret Teacher teaches at a comprehensive school in Yorkshire.

Guiness Book of Records

We're going out to dinner with my dad and his wife for her birthday tonight. I last saw my dad two weeks ago and he had the longest eyebrow hair I had ever seen. He was quite protective of it for some reason and wouldn't let me pull it out.

And that is it unstretched!

What is it with older men and their eyebrows? John Howard was in the public eye and had very long unruly eyebrows, but my dad beats him hands down and won't let me do anything to help him in this area.

I am pretty confident he will still have it with him tonight, so I'm going to suggest he contact the Guiness Book of Records, surely this is the longest eyebrow hair in the history of the world?

Latest update on the eyebrow hair, its still going strong!

Just a Bit Grumpy

Some days you wake up grumpy,

and then you are not grumpy any more.

Day One

                                             

It was with great joy that Riley started at his new school today. Kids are amazing, if it was me starting a new job, I would have been a bundle of nerves, but Riley embraced the change.

Things I have learnt about his first day are:

1. He does not know his teacher's name
2. There were no shortage of playmates because, "Everyone loves the new kid".
3. He is learning Japanese.
4. The work was 'easy".







5. They dance on Fridays and he does not like it.
6. He did a maths activity about clocks.
7. His toasted sandwich was horrible.
8. He is happy that he changed and can't wait for Monday.

Schooling Dilemma Part 2

I want it to be known that I worked long and hard for Riley's learning needs to be considered at his school. From what I gather it would seem that Riley was the only dyslexic child they had ever encountered. The 'special needs' teacher was a high school english teacher, which I am. I know that I would be totally unqualified to work with students who have special needs, because I have had no training in that area. The one time that this teacher did come to a professional development session at Dyslexia SPELD with me she was negative and rude, and not just to me, but to the highly qualified presenter as well.

It was with heavy heart that I decided Riley should move schools, however, when I raised the prospect with him last night he said, "I don't think that school is for me mum". I was a bit confused as he always had 'a great day' and has friends there. I would have moved him regardless, because I know what is best for my son. The Mahjong Nazi collected him from school today and he said he was really happy that he was changing schools. Even if he didn't, the parent knows best!

When we got home from dinner he couldn't wait to get into his new school uniform. He is really excited about his new school! Me, I'd be a nervous wreck. All I know, and probably him on some level, is that it can't be worse.

Go Riley!!!!!

Schooling Dilemma

I know I have made quite a few complaints about Riley's school in this blog and as some-one rightfully asked in a comment the other day, why is he still going there? The Mahjong Nazi and my friends ask me that same question and I really don't have a sensible answer to the question. All I have is the sense of how happy my child is and at his current school he is happy. He loves his friends and the thought of moving him fills me with guilt, because he is eccentric and I want him to always have friends and be happy. Should it matter that I am unhappy? He is the one who has to turn up there every day.

Riley has as many positive things to say about his school as I have negative and that is the basis of my dilemma. How do I know whether the unknown might be better for us, but worse for Riley? These are not recent questions and I have spent many sleepless nights worrying about this. I want to be able to ensure that people will treat him kindly and not bully him. He likes to hang out in cardboard boxes, loves Ben 10 and dressing up is as popular with him now as when he was four. How do I know that these new kids at an educationally better school will accept these qualities in him?

I feel sorry for him, because I have been so vocal and as a result of this his school received a wrap on the knuckles by the Association of Independent Schools today. I think it has probably become untenable for him to stay there. I hope he forgives me for this and can see that it is for the best. I hope that he manages to make a friend before some-one sees him as an easy target and I hope he grows to enjoy his new school as much as his current school. Most of all, I hope I am doing the right thing.

Ride The Wave With Me

A movement is forming people, I am going to call it the dyslexic wave, we are just a small movement at the moment, but momentum is growing fast and anyone can ride this wave.

It is a travesty that dyslexia is not recognised by any government in Australia, except NSW and this wave aims to change that, in Western Australia at least.

The written word is really difficult for dyslexic people to unscramble, making simple tasks, such as reading this blog very challenging. For dyslexic readers words can run together, letters, or words can move, letters can appear upside down, or back-to-front, some letters may be indiscernible from others, letters could be jumbled, or bunched together. The image below is an illustration of how a passage may appear to a dyslexic reader.

Image from http://www.dyslexia.com/library/information.htm#See












Many of us take reading for granted. I know I did until I had a dyslexic child. Every day at school is a huge challenge for Riley and every dyslexic child. All children cope with a learning difficulty differently. The rate of clinical depression is significantly higher in dyslexic children than that of their peers, as is the rate of truancy. These facts make me sad and angry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZLFTW4OGYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZLFTW4OGY

I don't know what the answer for dyslexic children is, but I do know that the Western Australian government, by not recognising dyslexia, is not doing anything to help those who suffer from this learning disability. I also know that I am going to keep riding the dyslexia wave and hopefully I will collect supporters on the way.

To hop on board the dyslexia wave please click this link and sign the petition supporting dyslexia as a learning disability in Western Australia.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-dyslexia-as-a-recognised-learning-disability-in.html

NAPLAN Week

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy otherwise known as NAPLAN starts tomorrow and goes until the 17th of May. Last week I wrote of the fact that we had been asked to fill out an exemption for Riley, which we had done. We have since withdrawn that exemption and Riley will be sitting the tests. We really agonised over this decision, because the tests will be really hard for him, as he is dyslexic. 

I have spoken to him of the tests and tried to explain that they are not important, I have also written the following on a piece of paper and he is going to write this on the tests when he gets to the point where he can do no more,  "I can't do this test because I am dyslexic and it discriminates against me". I hope he does not get into trouble for this, but have explained to him that his teacher might not like it, but it would really be me she is angry at not him.

I feel a bit guilty, as I am technically using Riley as a tool in a political message I want to send, but I can't think of a stronger way to get the message across. I realise now that if Peter Garrett does use these tests to identify areas of need for funding and programs, then all dyslexic chilren should sit the test, maybe that way the government will see what a need there is to recognise dyslexia as a learning disability and put in the appropriate support in place for dyslexic children.

I don't know if what I'm doing is right, but at least I feel like I am doing something. Hopefully by the time he is in Grade 5 they will do away with the whole idea of standardised testing, like many other nations have already done.

Hello, its Mother's Day, happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there. Here is my Mother's Day, which was slightly disturbing.

The Mahjong Nazi and myself left it until Thursday to book anywhere, but we did get a spot at a tavern that she likes, so we went.

Fun times!

Food was ordered and  few minutes into eating, Riley presented us with the following, which was on his pizza, which was in his mouth!

I asked to speak with the manager and gave him the toughened plastic you see above . He  said, " Well, it looks like the little guy is ok, let me know if he wants a free icecream later".

We were so shocked, we did not know how to react, with hindsight we were complete pushovers. I don't want free stuff, but when my child nearly eats a large bit of pointy plastic, I actually want a really genuine response, a 'sorry' at least.

For the record, he didn't want any icecream and for the record, please tell your friends not to go to the Burrendah Tavern.

Mother's Day Lunch

I complain a lot about Riley's school, but there are good bits too. Yesterda,y mums were invited into the classroom to complete a 'job' with them and then have lunch with them.

Riley met me with a bunch of chrysanthemums and a card.

 "Dear Mum,

You are beautiful, lovely and sweet.

Happy Mother's Day.

Love Riley

We built 3D shapes together.

We had lunch together on the lawn. He told me where he usually played, introduced me to his friends, pointed out the 'naughty' children and the bullies.

At the end of lunch he told me it was 'the best day ever'.

Please Help Get Dyslexia Recognised by Our Government

Dyslexia is characterised by a significant disability with reading and spelling. Dyslexia often presents in children who otherwise appear capable and academically promising. It is estimated that two to three children in every classroom have dyslexia.

5-10% of children and adults struggle with dyslexia daily. Research shows that children with dyslexia are at greater risk of behaving badly at school, becoming socially withdrawn and developing depression. Currently dyslexia is not recognised as a learning disability in any state other than New South Wales. Similar nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have 'dyslexia friendly schools'.

With the national focus on standardised testing, it seems incongruous that the Western Australian government does not recognise dyslexia as a learning disability, thereby enabling the appropriate educational support for our dyslexic children.

If you live in Western Australia, please click the link below and sign the petition to the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia to recognise dyslexia as a learning disability.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-dyslexia-as-a-recognised-learning-disability-in.html

On Friendship and Jigsaws

I think I am truly blessed. I have a handfull of beautiful girlfriends. I value them for many reasons; they are smart, funny, interesting, supportive and wise. Some I see a couple of times a week and some not so often, but I love them and my life would be lesser without them.

This afternoon I arrived at one friend's house, we chatted a little bit, I cuddled her very cute baby and then hung out doing her jigsaw. My friend and I didn't speak much, it was all about the jigsaw. I was offered dinner, but declined, too focused on the jigsaw. The family ate and kids got ready for bed around me, perfectly comfortable with the fact that I was there doing a jigsaw.

Last night I got brilliant career advice from another friend and the night before I knew it would be ok to phone a girlfriend at 11pm about the dyslexia action we are working together on.

I know that if for some reason we could not buy food for a month these girls would make sure we ate well for that month.

Sometimes I tell my friends how much they mean to me and enrich my life, but probably not enough.

How do your friends enrich your life?

Dyslexia Action

Dyslexia is characterised by a significant disability with reading and spelling. Dyslexia often presents in children who otherwise appear capable and academically promising. It is estimated that two to three children in every classroom have dyslexia.

5-10% of children and adults struggle with dyslexia daily. Research shows that children with dyslexia are at greater risk of behaving badly at school, becoming socially withdrawn and developing depression. Currently dyslexia is not recognised as a learning disability in any state other than New South Wales. Similar nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have 'dyslexia friendly schools'.

With the national focus on standardised testing, it seems incongruous that the Western Australian government does not recognise dyslexia as a learning disability, thereby enabling the appropriate educational support for our dyslexic children.

If you live in Western Australia, please click the link below and sign the petition to the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia to recognise dyslexia as a learning disability.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-dyslexia-as-a-recognised-learning-disability-in.html

A Lesson Learnt on the Way Home

I wonder what children did before parents had iPhones?

Whenever we are out and things are not totally riveting for Riley he asks to go on my phone. I have downloaded games for him and even I am a littlle bit taken with the game 'Where's My Water'. Admittedly, I usually let him and there have been times where I have thrust my phone at him, instructing him to play. Sometimes it is really annoying though. Sometimes my phone is dead. Sometimes I'm just feeling mean.

Today, after visiting a friend, he asked to go on my phone for the drive home, it was dead, so he couldn't. He wanted to know what he was supposed to do on the way home, I suggested conversation, looking out of the window, or listening to the radio. No, he asked to go on my GPS. I let him. He soon discovered that not all electronic devices are are as exciting as iPhones and that chatting with your mum is actually quite fun .

Worst photo ever!

NAPLAN, Its Shocking!

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy otherwise known as NAPLAN will be conducted in all Australian schools from the 15-17th of May and all students in Year 3, 7 and 9 will be sitting the test...well maybe not all of them.

The Honourable Peter Garrett MA, our federal Minister for School Education, came out last week and said that schools should not be teaching to the NAPLAN tests (see article). I am an English teacher and have two Year 9 English classes, at the beginning of the year we were given a directive by the principal to focus on teaching for NAPLAN. Riley is in Year 3 and has been learning how to write persuasive texts since term 3 last year. I am pretty sure that my example and Riley's example are not the only two in Australia.

My problem with NAPLAN is that it is a very narrow indicator of learning and yet it is the only national indicator. It does not measure so many things that I am not going to waste my time listing them, so in my mind it should not be used as a national measure. Garrett also stated that it is used to target areas of weakness so funds can be made available to address these areas of need. If a test only looks at literacy and numeracy, how can it identify any areas of need unless they are in theses areas I wonder?

Peter Garrett also states that the results should not be used to compare and rank schools against each other, but the My Schools website makes that all the more possible with NAPLAN results being the main focus of the site. What parent, if given the choice between a high ranking school and its poor performing neightbour, would choose the later?

As well as learning persuasive writing techniques and structure since Grade 2, Riley's teacher has been telling us from that time that she would strongly discourage Riley from sitting the tests. I wholeheartedly agree with her on this, but my reasons are that for a dyslexic child to sit these tests it would be soul destroying, her reasons are to do with how his results would look on the My Schools website. It is not just Riley's school that does this, it is quite a regular occurance in schools, mainly private, but also government schools in affluent areas. A friend, whose son also has dyslexia was told that he would not be sitting NAPLAN, they weren't even given the choice!

Riley's teacher suggested that we keep him home for those days. Hello! We both have full-time jobs and he is in a multi-age classroom, half of the kids won't be sitting the tests.

We had to fill out an exemption form for him a few weeks ago. The school were so keen to get it back that we got an email from the acting principal and my husband got a phone call at his work about it. I wish I hadn't filled the exemption out now because what I want to instruct Riley and every other dyslexic child to do is to write across the paper, "I can't do this test because I am dyslexic and it discriminates against me".

How can a test like this one be used to identify areas of need and "where to target investment" if the kids who might highlight these areas of need are discouraged from sitting the test?

I also know that when my Year 9's sit the NAPLAN in a few weeks, most of them will be able to write a persuasive text above minumum benchmark standards, but that does not mean they are proficient in writing, just that they have had so much practice at this particular writing skill.

My Mother's Day Wish List

There are only seven more sleeps until Mother's Day so I thought I would put together my wish list. Riley is only eight, so he needs some help from his dad for gift buying. Here's hoping Cliff reads this. I've started from the realms of realism and moved into the realm of if we win division 1 in Lotto, you never know...

1. Peter Alexander bow slippers

http://www.peteralexander.com.au/

2. Cross bracelet from Flannel

http://www.flannel.com.au/

3. Amazon book voucher for my Kindle

www.amazon.com/gp/gc
4. An iPad

store.apple.com/au

5. A 2012 VW Cabriolet, in black

www.volkswagenaustralia.com.au/eofy

"Knock Knock..."

I love Riley, but I hate his jokes. I dread the words, "Knock, knock", or "I'll tell you a funny joke". I actually dislike most jokes. I like funny people, but most funny people don’t tell jokes. Kid’s jokes are the least funny, because they generally do not make sense and are not in the least bit funny. I always make the mistake of giving a polite chuckle then move progressively to “Your jokes are not funny!”

The worst kid joke scenario for me is when there are a few kids all bouncing their ‘hilarious’ jokes of each other to an adult audience. There is always at least one really polite and nurturing adult who will laugh at their jokes. Often this person has been me, but no longer.

Occasionally kids do tell you a funny joke and the genuine laugh they receive is like a cue to tell the same joke over and over again. We once had an eight hour drive back from holidays where Riley told the same joke for about four of those hours, it was hell.

I do hope that Riley grows up having a good sense of humour and enjoying funny people like I do, but if he never tells me another joke in the world, I’ll be quite happy with that. In fact if I never hear the words, “Did you hear about…”, or “There were three…”, or “Knock, knock” I will consider it a gift.

Keep smiling!

A World Without Books

I have dropped back to teaching three days a week because I want to start a cleaning company. I did a cleaning job the other day in a vast, beautiful home. I had cleaned the kid's rooms and was onto the parent's when I noticed that they did not have any books on their bedside tables. That seemed a little weird to me as, even though both my husband and I have kindles, we still both have piles of books next to and on our bedside tables. I started to think about the three children's rooms and realised that there were no books there either. I went back to check and I was right, there were no books. I thought that the playroom, or study may have some books visible, but no. I cleaned every room in their house and there was not a book to be seen.

The thought of a house without books is really odd to me. We have three bookcaes, not including the three shelves of books in Riley's room. All of our friends have bookcases crammed with books too. We buy books, we borrow books, we lend books and we talk about books. Riley, even though dyslexic, also loves books.

I was a little envious of this beautiful home when I entered, but I thought about a house without books for a fair bit of the time that I was there and realised I wouldn't swap my bulging bookcases for the world.

Co-sleeping Angst

 

I want to say from the outset that I am pro-co-sleeping, just not with my child, or if with my child, then not my husband.

My husband was hospitalised for a significant length of time when Riley was 4. During that I time brought Riley into our bed to sleep and there he stayed. I loved having the extra time just being near him and I think my husband did too.

As I get older, sleep is harder and harder for me, for about a year I had to have one, or on a really bad night, two sleeping tablets to get to sleep. Last year I stopped taking sleeping tablets and have gone herbal, but sleep is still really hard for me. Riley has got much bigger too and has ADHD is his sleep, or so it seems. My husband is snoring as soon as his head hits the pillow every night. Me, I would be slowly drifting into sleep when a hand, or more often a foot from Riley would hit me across the face and "bye, bye sleep".

Both my husband and I agreed that when Riley turned eight we would turf him out of our bed and into his. We talked about this with Riley for at least six months before his birthday and leading up to his birthday he would tell people he was getting a new bed for his birthday.

We all went bed shopping and Riley found a huge bed with a desk underneath it and that's what we bought. It took my husband and a friend four nights to assemble this beast. When it was ready for use we told Riley and he looked at us like we were crazy. He had forgotten that apart from a really cool place to have Nerf wars from, he was also meant to sleep in it. After some convincing we managed to get him to begrudgingly agree to the idea.

Riley loves his new bed, he thinks it is awesome. He loves to watch DVDs up there and clutter the desk below with a wide range of minutiae, completely unrelated to learning, he just does not like to sleep in it.  Many nights there are tears, but every night there is the question, "Can I sleep in your bed? I feel very nasty, because it is my fault he ended up in our bed to start with, but I am sleeping much better and so is he, so I have to stay strong on this one...most of the time.

10 Things I Love About You

My Year 10 English class and I watched, "10 Things I Hate About You" the other day. The poem  featured in the film inspired me to write a poem about some of the things I love about Riley.

10 Things I Love About You

I love the way you talk to me,
and share your great ideas.
I love the way you laugh and smile,
and the way you dance all crazy.
I love the dimples on your hand,
and the twinkle in your eyes. 
I hate it when you're sick, or sad,
It even makes me cry.
I love your spirit, the way you play.
I love the way you ask me why.
I love the way you play dressups,
Even more, I love the way you don't give up.
I love you so much my heart could burst.
I hope the world will always treat you well,
but mostly, I love the fact that you call me mummy,
and hold my hand,
and snuggle up,
and always make me smile.

ADHD, To Medicate, or Not?

Riley has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD. His paediatrician tells us he should be taking Ritalin. 20mgs a day. She says that if he does not take it, HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE AND LEARN! We are being irresponsible parents if we don't give it to him.

Ritalin is Methylphenidate, a psychostimulant, also an effective replacement drug for methamphetamine addicts. It is a Schedule 8 drug, in the same category as cocaine, ketamine and morphine.

When methylphenidate was tested on rats, the data showed that the drug does support brain development, but the rats grow up to be more stressed and emotional than the control group. But, hello, when did our children become comparable to rats? There is not a lot of research on actual children using Ritalin, mainly just rats.

The research I did find indicates that the effects of methylphenidate are still disturbingly blurry. Results released earlier this year by The University of Wisconsin (on monkeys, not rats, but still not humans) paralled a study completed in 1977 showing that low doses of methylphenidate can improve cognitive ability in the classroom, but that higher doses (those strong enough to reduce the hypermobility) actually had a detrimental effect on cognitive ability and impaired memory.

Researchers noted, "At the higher dose, "performance on the task is impaired," ... "but the subjects don't seem to care, all three monkeys continued making the same errors over and over." The monkeys stayed on task more than twice as long at the higher dose, even though they had much more trouble performing the task."(1.)

The United Nations released two press releases about this, one in 1996 and one in 1997. Among other things, these reports noted the fact that methylphenidate had the same pharmacological properties as widely abused amphetamines, otherwise known as "ice" and "speed". They also reported on the fact that the legal manufacture of methylphenidate rose from 3 tonnes in 1990 to more than 8.5 tonnes in 1994. It is still on the rise.

There is not a lot of data on how many school aged children actually take Ritalin in Australia, but what data there is indicates that Western Australia has double the number of school aged children on Ritalin than the rest of Australia. The data for the United States of America is really scary, the number of children on Ritalin has risen from 2000 in 1993 to 90,000 today.

Dr James Scott, from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research was quoted in 2011 stating that 5-10% of Australian children had ADHD and that girls were under-diagnosed. When I looked  a little deeper at Dr Scott this is what I found, "Dr Scott has received grants to attend educational functions by Eli Lilly and Janssen-Cilag. He has also received fees for speaking at conferences on ADHD-related topics such as attachment, but not on topics relating directly to the use of medications." Eli Lilly  and Janssen-Cilag are both manufacturers of ADHD medication containing methylphenidate.

The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne states that stimulants are the most effective treatment for symptoms of ADHD. According to them, children have been taking stimulant medication for ADHD for 50 years. I was so shocked to read this and it seems that it is true, to a degree. Methylphenidate has been used since the late 1930s to treat hyperactivity.

My husband and I are both university educated, we like to think that we do not cower to authority. When Riley was diagnosed with ADHD, we did what we were told, smuggly patting each other on the back for 'doing what was right for our son'. Both of us believed that Ritalin was the right thing to do.

Last year Riley's paediatrician advised us to stop the Ritalin until he gained 2 kilograms as he has on the 2nd percentile for his weight for his age and she "didn't [want] to end up on the page of The West Australian". The main side effects of methylphenidate are loss of weight/poor weight gain, the there's also these affects, lesser effects: suicidal thoughts, confusion, chest tightness, chest pain or heart palpitations, shortness of breath, more outgoing or aggressive behaviour than normal, strange behaviour, hallucinations, agitation or restlessness and uncontrolled movements of the head, neck, mouth, arms, or legs (known as tics) and then the even lesser effects; increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, dizziness, unpleasant or distressed feelings, abnormally good mood, insomnia, tremors, headache, diarrhoea, or constipation, and a dry mouth, or unpleasant taste.

Let's remember when we look over the list above, that we are talking about children!
What are we doing to our bright, bouncy children?  

Riley also told the paediatrician that he didn't like the way Ritalin made him feel, but she reiterated the fact that HE MUST BE MEDICATED (if we were to see any educational results). He did gain weight and we just, sort of stopped reminding him to take his pill in the morning. His teacher just, sort of stopped reminding him to take it at lunch. And we just sort of saw a happier little boy emerge.

The brand of Ritalin prescribed to my son was tested on a grand total of 18 children between the ages of 7 -12, the majority in the later years. Somehow this limited test is deemed acceptable, but to the company's credit, they state that medication MUST occur "alongside other remedial measures". Who is responsible for these remedial measures though? Certainly not the drug company, or the prescribing doctor.

As parents, we have tried to put remedial measures in place for our son, but what about the Year 9 student who was looking down the other day in my class? When I asked him what was wrong he told me that he was sad because the school had told him he had to start taking his ADHD medication again. I sought him out in the playground and had a chat with him, telling him that my son also had ADHD, he said, "Poor bugger"! And he is right, the majority of children I teach have no other treatment in place other than the medication which they all hate to have to take.

The American outlook does seem bleak for children with ADHD. US studies indicate that children with ADHD are significantly less likely to succeed academically and that there is also a much higher rate of substance abuse in ADHD children. (2) .

The Australian research (not sponsored by a drug company) is a little more positive. The Raine Report (2010) used longitudinal data (as a part of the Western Australian Pregnancy Birth Cohort) to examine long-term social, emotional, school-based, growth and cardiovascular outcomes associated with stimulant medication for ADHD. Using the Department of Health data which stated that in 2010, 8% of Australian children had been diagnosed with ADHD the researchers took their sample group and compared them with their control group. Previous Australian testing was randomised with (a total of four) controlled trials that lasted between two weeks and six months. 

A lot in the Raine Report was inconclusive, however two things stand out for me. There is conclusive evidence that children (from this sample) taking ADHD medication have higher blood pressure than those who don't and that children who were identified as taking ADHD medication were 10 times more likely to be considered as performing below the expected age level by the teacher.

1. Study pinpoints effects of different doses of an ADHD drug; finds higher doses may harm learninghttp://www.wisc.edu/search/?cx=001601028090761970182%3A2g0iwqsnk2m&cof=FORID%3A10&q=adhd+trial
2. "Longterm Prognosis in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder," Mannuzza, Salvatore and Klein, Rachel; Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Volume 9, Number 3, July 2000
Amber L. Howard, Monique Robinson, Grant J. Smith, Gina L. Ambrosini, Jan P. Piek, and Wendy H. Oddy. ADHD Is Associated With a 'Western' Dietary Pattern in Adolescents. Journal of Attention Disorders, 2010; DOI:
1996http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/backlash/un.html
Adhd: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adults
By Paul H. Wender
(Greenhill, Halperin, & Abikoff, 1999; Leonard, McCartan, White, & King, 2004; Schachter, Pham, King, Langford, & Moher, 2001; Van der Oord, Prins, Oosterlaan, & Emmelkamp, 2008).

http://www.itsmyhealth.com.au/healthy-living/parenting-and-babies/adhd-label-extended-to-4-year-olds
http://www.health.wa.gov.au/publications/documents/MICADHD_Raine_ADHD_Study_report_022010.pdf
UNITED NATIONS NATIONS Information Service INCB ANNUAL REPORT . http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/backlash/un.html