“No, we’re not impressed, we don’t think it’s interesting; in fact, we think you’re being downright dumb, irresponsible, and immature”
Like the writer of the letter “Yeshivos, Take Note,” by a parent of a child diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety who complained that the school (and rebbi) weren’t meeting their son’s needs, I, too, thank Rabbi Dr. Nachi Felt for sharing his personal experiences and challenges, and for inspiring those with ADHD (and their parents) to see how much they can achieve with the proper guidance and support.
However, I do take issue with the writer of the letter. While I thoroughly sympathize with the plight of parents of a child with ADHD or any other learning disability, it is important to understand that a “regular education” yeshivah is just that. Yeshivos and day schools are dealing with full classes. The teachers and rebbeim are trained to teach a full class and attempt to balance the many needs of their students. Of course teachers modify work and adapt as they see necessary. Of course there are resource rooms, OTs, PTs, speech therapists, social workers, and psychologists to aid in the process.
I’ve been a teacher for 30 plus years in a Modern Orthodox school. With all of the above resources that we have available, it’s often not enough for a child with extra needs.
Please also consider that a teacher isn’t only dealing with one child who has additional needs. Often there are quite a few in the classroom with different needs who require other accommodations. Teachers are trying to ensure that everyone in the class’s needs are met. When each parent asks for “just one or two small adjustments” for her child, it adds up to many. Given the time constraints and minimal resources, it’s not always possible.
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