Phone Call

A Phone Call: 
About two weeks after school started, I got a phone call from Arden's teacher.  Up to that point, I was under the impression Arden was doing great at school.  He didn't look as excited as the previous year, but I thought it was because he was getting used to the new routine and new teachers. However, whenever I asked him how school went, he would reply "fine" or "Okay."  So, I was surprised to get a call from his English teacher.  The first question out of her mouth was if he was taking medications.  It turns out, Arden was just laying his head on his desk and producing no work...nothing.  So, ever since, I've been bugging him about school and his behavior in class.  He tends to act a bit strange, like licking the dry eraser board, stuffing candy canes up his nose, hiding underneath his desk...somehow sitting upside down on his desk and the list goes on.  He has a terrible time focusing and whatever we've tried with him has given us minimal results. 
Personally, I'm worn out. I took him to his pediatrician to have a check up, I've met with his teachers, and told them we're not dead beat parents.  I've practically bribed him, taken away privileges, and punished him, with only minimal positive results.  I've been going to his class to help him learn how to behave and to cope.  I'm sure he's also worn out and tired of me and of his teachers. We're trying a couple new things this week, to help him remember to stay focus.  We try something every week.  I'm not asking for a perfect kid, just, enough.  Enough focusing so he can get his work done in class in a timely manner...so he doesn't come home with a pile of unfinished work and then doesn't get to play because all we do is try to catch him up. Just enough so I don't get frustrated with him. I don't even mind a little weirdness if he can get his stuff done. 

On the positive side, he's reading at 3rd grade level and is where he should be academically.  As a matter of fact, right before the Winter Break, Arden was observed by the school psychologist and she was surprised how someone who's so unfocused, twitchy, out of his desk all of the time, can be doing so well academically.  I'm trying to stay positive.  Newel was the same way, until 4th grade, then, he matured a bit and the phone calls home ended.  I don't want Arden medicated, yet.  I think it's important to teach him coping skills, like when it's time to listen, time to zone out, time to work. I don't want to give him some pill that will dull him up. I'd like him to be himself...he's a great loving kid. He needs to learn how to behave on his own...he'll need that skill for the rest of his life.  Also, I feel like if I just give him some type of pill...I've somehow failed.