should we refuse to sign up

Our 8 year old son is having a lot of problems this year.  He is not listening to the teacher, for example, if she asks him to change an answer or go back and re do a math problem.  He simply won't do it.  He can do the work, that's not the issue.  He just won't do what she asks.  He's not disrupting the class, talks in class sometimes.  In general he just won't listen to her.  I asked him why he wouldn't change the answer and he said "I thought it was right".  He has been in trouble so much that his dad is refusing to sign him up for football.  We think he might have ADD but don't know if this passive-aggressive behavior is part of it.  Should we refuse to sign him up for something that will allow him to get exercise and work out some of his energy?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It would be pointless to hold him out of an organized activity. What does his father think this would accomplish? Such a reaction would have no impact at all on the behavior you are describing. His behavior is not passive aggressive - it is frankly oppositional. The teacher is the 'boss' in the classroom - the sooner he learns this the better. If he refuses to follow a direction from the teacher he should be placed in time out immediately

[IChris]

The teacher should respect his view and present alternative, preferable, views as an option. Not giving him choices and the ability to think for himself would easy make the situation worse with more stubborness.

So in short, the more disrespect he gets the more disrespect may he show back.