No more recess "on the wall"

This fall, our hearts broke when our daughter told us she hardly ever gets a recess because she’s always "on the wall." As in, standing or sitting on a sidewalk and facing a brick wall literally steps away from the rest of the grade that’s running and playing on the playground.

We had never heard of such a thing and after talking to both of our children, we discovered it is commonplace for many teachers at our elementary school to use this for discipline of entire classes and/or individual students. Abby expressed humiliation at being put "on the wall" in front of her peers. Oftentimes, the individual discipline was for something caused by her ADHD -- losing a paper, not finishing an assignment, etc. Children with ADHD are often emotional -- Abby is -- and are already set apart in so many ways because of their differences. Mostly she just wants to fit in, like all kids do. Facing the wall at recess is yet another way she's cast into the role of “different” or “awkward,” quietly chipping away at her overall self-confidence and emotional well-being. And honestly, a release of activity is critical in her routine, helping her to regroup and focus once she's had that burst of energy. 

We couldn't find a policy in the school handbook or teacher handbook that even mentioned using the withholding of recess as a disciplinary option. But after expressing our concerns, Abby's teacher has been very accommodating in making sure Abby has recess, even though it has meant doing things differently for her entire class. We’re so appreciative that she’s willing to work on what is best for Abby. 

We don't know what next year will hold for Abby, whether her teacher will be flexible or rigid. But we know she's not the only child with ADHD who has spent recess periods stoically at a desk in punishment for behaviors that are difficult, at best, for her to control. So I’ve sent this note to school administrators and board members seeking either a district-wide policy on recess or simply spelling this out in the disciplinary section in the handbook. That way parents with special needs kids will know this is commonplace and can work with their teachers ahead of time to avoid humiliation of a child. 

We understand the complexities in developing such a sweeping policy, but we also believe that our own child functions better when she's able to have recess -- the fresh air, social connections and physical activity feed her soul and improve her cognitive functions, making her more able to focus inside the classroom.

Here's what some experts say on the issue: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/9346.html Be sure to check out the comments, too, for some different perspectives. What do you think…are there justifications for withholding recess from a child with ADHD?