<p>My DS is very talented and creative, but has a hard time focusing on and completing projects, whether personal or academic. He wants to go into a music technology/audio recording field, where I think he will need to self-manage in order to succeed. He’s now being evaluated for ADD, but I think he needs mentoring as well. He has a new orchestra teacher for his senior year, so I can’t count on any help there unless they click immediately. He is also teacher’s aide for a faculty member who essentially oversees all productions (music, drama, etc.) at the school. Would I be out of line to meet with this teacher and suggest that he mentor DS in some sort of senior project that would incorporate his varied musical interests?</p>
<p>Your son should do it. There are sometimes ways that parents of kids this age can inspire opportunities, but the actual contact should, I think, be your son’s alone.</p>
<p>compmom is correct. You can go over things with your son, but he needs to be the one to approach the teacher and discuss his needs.</p>
<p>If the school teacher is unwilling perhaps he or your private music teacher can suggest a private tutor. If you pay you may see more results.</p>
<p>Just want to add that if ADD, (ADHD inattentive) is diagnosed, you might want to consider coaching, both this year and for college. It can be expensive but worthwhile. If he has a mentor this year who helps with a project, but doesn’t know a lot about SDD, that may not be that helpful in the long run- no matter how good the results might be in the short term.</p>
<p>In other words, a mentor for a project that is focused on results is one thing. But coach/mentor who helps your son with strategies for the future for doing things without this support, may be more valuable.</p>
<p>It’s the old, “you can give him fish or teach him to fish” thing. Sorry, I cannot remember the actual wording.</p>
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<p>I second this suggestion. If you’re looking for a specialist in college coaching who is experienced with ADHD, especially inattentive type, you may want to read about or contact Geri Markley at Manage Your Mind [Managing</a> Your Mind](<a href=“http://www.managingyourmind.com/]Managing”>http://www.managingyourmind.com/) – she offers skype coaching as well.</p>
<p>My son studied in this discipline and is ADHD-I. I actually had the director of another well-known program tell me that the field seems to draw a high proportion of people with ADHD. In the case of Inattentive Type, I suspect that my son has as a result spent more time in “alpha wave” mode than most and ergo has moments of great artistic vision.</p>
<p>The trouble comes in the execution of detail against timeline, and learning how to switch gears and give yourself a structure in which to develop executive function is very worthwhile.</p>
<p>Oops, sorry, meant ADD not SDD, My keyboard’s lettering is worn off!</p>
<p>Had a little chat with the boy last night and encouraged him to develop some creative projects this year and be sure to talk to “Mr. J” if he needed some help. But I will also look into the coaching - thanks for the link!</p>