Schools are overcrowded these days and it is easy to neglect a child's individual needs. For a child with depression who happens to be very quiet and withdrawn, he can easily fall through the cracks in a large classroom. For a child who is more aggressive and angry, a teacher's response may be to send him to the principal's office or discipline him harshly. Therefore, it is understandable that making accommodations for your depressed child is not on the top of a teacher's list of priorities.

Are Accommodations Welcome?

Just because your teacher may not take a proactive approach with your child does not mean that you shouldn't try to get accommodations for him if necessary. As mentioned earlier, childhood depression can affect an entire school year and can make a huge difference in how he sees himself, his academic performance, and how he views school in general.

If you are concerned that your child's depression is going to affect his grades, discuss with the teachers ways in which this can be avoided. For example, if a child is having problems completing his work and having things done in a timely manner, is there a way for the teacher to incorporate a plan whereupon he gets credit for what he does complete? Are there extra credit assignments that would be appropriate so that he can keep his grades up? Is there a certain project that might interest your child, thereby engaging him in trying to bring up his grades and to motivate him? Does he need a tutor or a mentor such as a classmate?

Your teen may be a member of a sport's team or another group that has as a requirement for membership a certain grade point average. If your teen is depressed, his grades might not be where they are normally and could be placing his participation in this activity at risk. On the other hand, perhaps being a member of a particular team or group is the one thing your child continues to enjoy and benefit from, so the thought of being kicked out can make a child's depression worse. This is a touchy topic for schools because they don't want to let some students slide while others are not given the same preferential treatment. Talk with your teen's coach or the teacher who sponsors his club. Express that your teen needs this activity because it is about the only positive thing he is experiencing at the moment. Also, stress that as soon as his depression lifts, you expect your teen to return to his higher level of functioning.

Be Specific

When a depressed child's behavior is interfering with his ability to learn, you need to explain this very carefully to the teacher. While you do not expect your child to receive special treatment for misbehavior, a child with depression is going to act out more often than he did prior to developing depression. It will be up to you to help the teacher understand what she should be on the lookout for and be ready to address it. This can be especially tricky, as they prefer that their students behave no matter what. Help the teacher understand that being overly harsh and stern with your child will be counterproductive at this time. However, stress to the teacher that you do expect your child to be disciplined when appropriate.

What if the teacher thinks that your request for accommodations is going to result in babying your child rather than helping him? What if she refuses? You have two options. If you are certain that your request is not unreasonable or that it will not cause a lot of disruption in the class, try talking to the teacher again. When you tried the first time, perhaps she was feeling pressured by the demands of all of her students. Maybe she didn't hear you accurately.

Second, if you try again and she still refuses, take a step back. Decide how important the request is to your child's success. You will likely be dealing with this teacher again so the relationship between the two of you needs to remain positive. If there are other more important concessions you will be asking for, then scrap this one. If you feel the accommodation is absolutely necessary and that it should not be overlooked, ask the principal. But be sure to inform the teacher that you will be speaking to the principal about it so that she doesn't feel you are going over her head. Explain that you might be wrong, but you'd like another opinion. If in doubt, discuss this with your child's treating professional first.