ADHD students struggle in the classroom

LUTZ - Michele Northrup has become a familiar face at her son's school. It's been a long road with three rowdy boys in her house.

"I have twins and a singleton that all happen to be 12," she said laughing. "It's a challenge everyday".

She admits she was a little surprised the first time a teacher told her there were problems in the classroom -- they suggested she get the boys tested.

"You think, ‘Well what's wrong with my child,’” she said. "And you think tested, what does tested mean. You mean educational testing, psychological testing?"

She saw all the signs -- the inability to focus, sit still, finish a task, hyperactivity, and the constant reminders from teachers about behavior. She thought they were just being boys. But a doctor said it was more than that.

"I have two that have ADHD," said Northrup.

That was six years ago. They were diagnosed in first grade. It's particularly important in those first, crucial elementary years. The earlier the problems are addressed, the better.

There is a question as to whether the increasing number of kids diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, anxiety and other disorders is a true reflection of the child's capability or a school's shortcomings.

Nevertheless, the experts agree that the curriculum is getting tougher and the bar is getting higher. But if your child can't keep up, there is now help and hope.

Northrup got her sons both personalized education plans suited to their learning style -- a service school districts are *required to provide. But it’s a complicated process and an emotional one too.

"Parents can be very confused and feel helpless," said Dr. Wendy Rice, a school psychologist. "If you have a child who truly has attention problems or self control problems, they are very difficult to manage and they're very difficult to teach."

Rice says she sees a lot of cases like this and the Individual Education Plan, or I.E.P., can help.

"Kids with attention issues need more feedback, structure, supervision and attention than your typical learner," Dr. Rice told FOX 13. “And when you have one teacher in a class with 20 to 30 students and they're young – it’s a real handful."

The IEP works for one of Michele's son. Her other ADHD-diagnosed son qualified for what's known as a "504," as in Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was recently expanded to include concentration, attention and focus. A "504" is designed for those students who need only minor accommodations and changes to their curriculum. They can revise their plans every year to adjust it to their growing needs.

"Sometimes they need they help in organization," Northrup said. "Or the ability to focus more -- sometimes they need a little more time than others on testing."

Depending on how much assistance the child needs and what they qualify for, there are many different options for struggling students.

Northrup says it's nice to see things have changed since her grade school days.

"People [used to think] that everybody had to learn the same way and that's just not the case," said Northrup. "And its not that these children are not intelligent or smart -- some are more creative and need to be geared a certain way or some need a little help focusing but they're still incredible learners."