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ADHD Role Play

Leader/Site Director (Michelle):

Scene Setting (Everyone sitting around the table and Heidi looking at her phone
glancing up only occasionally and obviously annoyed)
Welcome Ms. Jones. Thank you for accepting our invitation to meet with you. My
name is Ms. Michelle. We met before, during your tour of our facility prior to your
sons enrollment. It is a pleasure to see you again. These are my colleagues. Please
let me introduce you. This is Ms. Dee, she is our site Social Worker and this is Ms.
Monica, Johns teacher, for whom I am sure introductions are not necessary. Again,
we welcome you and thank you for joining us today to discuss in more detail some
things we have observed. We understand that some of what we may share with you
may provoke questions and thoughts so we encourage your questions at any time.

Parent (Heidi):
(Spoken with negative attitude/tones)---Well I am glad you said that
because I actually have a question now. Why, if you have a concern about my son,
would you send me a letter and schedule a meeting? Why couldnt we just talk
about this any timelike when I drop John off or when I pick him up every day?

Teacher (Monica):
Mrs. Jones, Id like to respond to that, if you dont mind. Please accept my apology
first. We do share, with parents, regularly numerous things about their children,
classroom activities and center events, but this meeting is a little different: Not to
be alarming, but because of the serious nature of the conversation, we wanted to
schedule this meeting with you to 1. Ensure confidentiality and 2. Give you an
appropriate forum in which you can hear what we have to say, ask questions and 3.
Help us to develop an action plan for Johns success. Again, we do not intend to
alarm you, but this really is a serious matter.

Director (Michelle):
Thank you Ms. Monica. Mrs. Jones what Ms. Monica said is exactly correct. We hope
weve already established on-going communication with you about John, but to be
certain, let me ask you a couple of questions, before we get started.
(Question 1) Have you received Johns screening scores? There should have been
two so far.

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Parent (Heidi):
Yes, Ms. Monica shared those scores with me in September.

Director (Michelle):
(Question 2) Do you have any questions about those?

Parent (Heidi):
No, Ms. Monica explained all of that to me already.

Director (Michelle):
(Question 3) Do you have any concerns about John?

Parent (Heidi):
Not really.

Director (Michelle):
Mrs. Jones, we are observing some behaviors in John that are consistent with those
seen in people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder commonly known
as ADHD. Ms. Dee has gathered some information about ADHD and she is going to
talk to you about it. Remember, at any time, feel free to ask questions.

Social Worker (Monica):

Thanks for being here Ms. Jones. I am going to do my best to explain to you what I
can about ADHD and then I am going to make some recommendations. Please
understand that, though we are not qualified to diagnose John, what he has
demonstrated in his classroom behaviors, does fall in lines the diagnostic criteria for
ADHD, which is why we have asked you to join us.
So according to an ADHD related manual, which was published by the American
Psychiatric Association, if six (6) or more inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity
symptoms appear for at least six months, a diagnosis of ADHD may be made. The
first hand out I have for you is this one; it outlines the criteria, which may be
observed in either the inattention, hyperactivity and / or impulsivity categories.
When we review our Educational Plans for John, we will point out how six (6) of
these have been demonstrated in Johns classroom behavior.

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Parent (Heidi):
So what you are saying is that my son has ADHD?

Director (Michelle):
Ms. Jones, we stop short of a diagnosis, as we are not qualified to diagnosis
children. We observe our children, document the observations, assess their
developmental levels, as compared to the widely held expectations, which have
been determined through years of experienced research; that information is then
shared with parents and referrals are made, with the permission of the parents for
FORMAL evaluations. Based on our knowledge and experience in the field of Early
Child Care and Education, what we are able to say is that, through our observations,
we believe that there is at least a possibility that John does have ADHD.

Parent (Heidi):
(begins to cry)

Teacher (Monica):
(handing Heidi a tissue) Ms. Jones please do not cry. We know this is a lot to
absorb, but we are here to support you and John.

Director (Michelle):
Yes, Ms. Jones, Ms. Monica is right. We have come up with a plan to implement here
at the center and wed like to share it with you. With your permission and input, we
will begin to utilize the strategies outlined in this educational plan for John. Even if
our suspicions of ADHD are not confirmed when you take him to the Doctor, we
would like to put this plan in place, as we have created it in hopes that it will help
him in ways that he is currently having some difficulties. Ms. Monica has brought
some examples of what is happening in the classroom and I have copies of his last
two screenings, which we discussed with you previously. Lets take a look at some of
the supporting evidence, review the educational plan weve created and hopefully
agree on what our next steps will be. Ms. Monica, can you please show Ms. Jones
what youve documented in the classroom?

Teacher (Monica):

(Review of the observation notes and related alpha code taken from hand
out of diagnostic criteria)

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Director (Michelle):
Ms. Jones, as we previously stated, we strongly recommend that you take John to
see his Physician in order that he be formally evaluated and diagnosed. We have
created this package for you to take with you. Included are two copies of both of the
screenings, two sets of observation notes related to our concerns about John. There
is a possibility that we are not correct and John may not have Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, but we have begun an Individualized Educational Plan for
him, which we intend to implement, whether he has ADHD or not. We would like to
review it with you and we would also like to include your recommendations. Some of
what we have included for implementation in the classroom can also be modified for
implementation in your home. Ms. Dee will you please review the I.E.P., with Ms.
Jones.

Social Worker (Monica):

Ms. Jones what we have prepared is a plan, which includes modifications of the
classroom and ways in which we can accommodate John to assist with is challenges.
.. ( REVIEW of I.E.P.) Ms. Jones do you have any questions?

Parent (Heidi):
Yes, I am concerned that, if we implement this I.E.P., John will be treated differently
and the other children will ridicule him.

Director (Michelle):
Ms. Jones John will be treated the same as he and the other children always have
been. We want to help John not hurt or embarrass him. As previously stated, we will
make accommodations, which we are hoping will help him to be able to work aside
his classmates in an appropriate and orderly fashion by paring him with a preferred
peer and when he is struggling to sit and participate with the large group he will be
offered options which will prevent him from distracting others. Ms. Jones please
understand that our concerns and related plans will be held in the strictest of
confidence. Trust that we want to help not hurt or embarrass John, you or your

family. Can you think of some things, which we might include in our plan, that work
for you at home?

Parent (Heidi):
Yes, (listing a couple of accommodations, which Ms. Salgado proceeds to
write down)Can we create a daily schedule with pictures for John to actually
see? I think it would be helpful to both of us. I will know exactly what is going on, he
can see it and I can offer him constant reminders of the what he will be doing each
day and the expected behaviors.
Can we also schedule a monthly meeting to re-visit this plan and make changes,
as needed?
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Teacher (Monica):
Ms. Jones I think those are great ideas. I have actually created a weekly lesson plan
with activities specifically for John; it is in the package I gave you and we can use it
as part of the creation of his daily schedule. We are committed to working with you
to ensure that Johns experiences in our classroom are rich and that he is as best
prepared for his entry into school, as possible. Do you have any other questions?

Parent (Heidi):
Yes, when I go to the Doctor, I will give him all of the documents, which youve given
me today. What else should I do?

Social Worker (Monica):

Please share your concerns and experiences with John in an open and honest
fashion. Though it may not be an easy thing to do, it will be best to assist the Doctor
as he evaluates John. If the Doctor does make a formal diagnosis, please share
immediately with us his recommendations and plans to treat John, if any.

Director (Michelle):
Ms. Jones, with your cooperation, we are going to approach this as a team. You and
John are a part of our family here at ABC Learning Center and we are committed to
supporting Johns development, to the best of our ability. Please do not hesitate to
call, come in and write notes and / or emails. Once you have met with the Doctor,
please call us and we can schedule another meeting such as this one. During our
next meeting, we can discuss our future plans of action and any additional concerns

and, if things go as planned, successes! Thank you for joining us today. We look
forward to meeting with you again.

Parent (Heidi):
I just want to thank all of you. I have been so stressed out thinking that what was
going on with John was my fault. I try so hard to be patient with him, but his actions
make it really hard for me. I asked his dad to help me, but he is so busy with work
and I think he blames me too. I am going to call the Doctor in the morning and I will
let you know the outcomes of our visit. I really appreciate your concern and your
efforts. I apologize for my attitude when I came in. I was not upset with you, but by
the situation. You have made me understand that you care and I feel like, with your
continued support, we can help John. Thanks again for everything.

Teacher, Social Worker and Director:

Our Pleasure!!