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Post by loveforeric on Nov 5, 2003 13:47:44 GMT -5
Good Morning;
My ds8 is in 3rd Grade and is Severe ADHD-combined type, OCD, ODD, and Anxiety. He really is well behaved now that he is on Meds. but does not keep up with the work in school as well as the other students. The teacher and the IEP teachers feel he is just not doing the work the others do because he thinks his "problems" give him a free pass. I was infuriated.. I do agree that he does not work to his full potential but feel that he learns differently than the other kids and should be accomidated for that. I have suggested computers being used for his work but was told that isn't fair to the rest of his class. ARGHHHH!!!!! The school says they have a handle on how to teach ADHDers but I don't believe it. My husband is insisting that we homeschool. Is that better for him? Sorry for rambling, the real issue is now, they are having Eric be responsible for all the same work as all the students and will not be modified and will be responsible for all the work. I had no say so. I am so confused about it all. The teacher said that he is being lazy. I don't think so when he cries because he can give them the answers verbally but writing things down absolutely freaks him out. HELP!!!!!Need advice....Thanks for any adivce you can give and for listening to a harried moms story
Christina:(
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Post by catseye on Nov 5, 2003 14:27:33 GMT -5
First boy is sd behind!!! She is 8 and in first grade... ARGH... lol Second where are you at?? Is there an advocacy in your area that could help with the school?? IMO they are not doing their job, IEP stands for Individual education plan, therefore he should have a different plan then the other students... I have an advocate that has helped us with these issues, their web site is www.causeonline.org maybe they are in your state also?? Another thing know your rights, I believe this site will help with that for you www.wrightslaw.com... I do understand their concern of the dissorder being used as a crutch, but you know your son better.. I will take your word over theirs any day... Sometimes the school need to be reminded what the IEP means legally... They (assuming public school here) legally have to meet your childs individual needs.. Its unfortunate that it turns into a fight sometimes, and sad.. As for the homeschooling, sorry I cant help there, maybe under the homeschooling topic could give you some advice on that... Good luck and dont let them push you around... cat |
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Post by loveforeric on Nov 5, 2003 15:09:35 GMT -5
Catseye;
Hi' Thanks for answering my questions. I just went out and bought this great book- It is a complete guide to the IEP process and how to take back control of my childs education. I do think sometimes Eric doesn't want to do the work but I think if he was challenged in a more appropriate way for his needs, he would not balk at the work or the school expectations. thanks again for listening. Have a peaceful day,
Christina:)
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Post by HollyNTx on Nov 6, 2003 10:37:57 GMT -5
what is the name of the book you got? sounds like a great book.
I hope that everything works out for you and your child.
you definately need to be aware of all your rights and your childs when you go into the school to "battle" it out. hopefully it wont come to that though.
I have found that once they know that I know what my rights and my childs rights are and what the law is, they tend to back down and do the right thing.
Holly
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Post by homebody67 on Nov 6, 2003 13:13:41 GMT -5
Hi! I would just like to point out....Normal is in the eye of the beholder. After all, who is to say what "normal" is? To our special children, this is normal! Unfortunately, we are all pressured to conform our children into what other people consider "normal". Does your son already have an IEP or a 504 plan? If he doesn't, go directly to the school counselor or psychologist, and tell him/her that you want one. If they refuse, go to the school district. If they refuse, head up one more rung on the ladder. As long as there is a confirmed diagnosis....they have to!!! You cannot be afraid to battle these people!!! Remember, this is your precious child that is truly being harmed! Especially in the self confidence area...which is really dangerous and extremely difficult to fix! Arm yourself with every bit of information you can get...books, printed off the internet....etc., put on your witch hat, and make an appointment!
Good luck!!!
Terri
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Post by Allanque on Nov 6, 2003 16:21:50 GMT -5
Normal is a cycle on the washing machine.  |
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Post by loveforeric on Nov 6, 2003 21:45:47 GMT -5
TEXT Hi All; Thanks for the encouragement. I agree that I have to put on my special hat let the school system know that my son is not just a matric number in the computer. LOLOL Normalcy is a word that should be used very loosly by the school. I don't believe any one person could be normal in the true sense of the word. HollynTexas; the book I found is called "The Complete IEP Guide- How to advocate for your special Ed Child" It is by Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel. I hope you get it. I have been reading it and if you don't homeshool and have to deal with the schools it can be the best thing in the world. Have a peaceful day everyone, Christina 
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Post by TexasMom on Nov 7, 2003 0:16:24 GMT -5
My son has a writing disability that makes it extremly difficult to write. It sounds like your son might have that problem. Could you have him tested for that by the school?
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Post by Angelia on Nov 7, 2003 17:50:32 GMT -5
If your son has an IEP or is in a 504 program. There should be no problems getting the modifications that he needs, and the heck with what the school thinks he needs. He is not the schools child he is yours, and if you feel as though he needs it I would fight, fight, fight for it. I would definately climb into some lilterature, and find out what you need to back yourself up, and go up to the school and let them have it. I have had to do this on a numberous occasions, and I have found out that they do not like it when they realize you know what you are talking about. I will also tell you that the law does stand on your side. I had a similar incident at the school last year were the school did not want to do the correct modifications and work the 504 program as we had instructed it through his doctor, and we fought it so hard that we filed agrievance with the school, and the Texas board of education filed suiet on them, and fined the school. Most people do not realize,and the school being one of them that are children have a disabilaty. The state looks at it as being no different from the children they have in their school that are blind or in wheelchairs. Therefore the school needs to look at it in the same way. These children need modifications just like ours do, and if we as parents do no fight for them our children are over looked. I also wanted to tell you that in my sons 504 program he has a modification that we do not use, but is availiable to him if he needs it is that he can take all test verbally. So, it is out there if your son may need it, and if it is needed the school will just have to lump it, and do it. Good Luck, and stay strong you will need it!
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Post by eaccae on Nov 7, 2003 19:22:36 GMT -5
My son also suffers from a writing disorder -dysgraphia. And what you were describing is similar to how DS feels. Verbally he is all there - writing is another story. With writing disabilities - it is normal for a child to have an accomodation in which they type because the writing is so painful (both mentally and physcially) that it completely interferes with learning. We are in the middle of the IEP process but I do know that one of the things we are doing is having him type - via an alphasmart dana in the classroom. A majority of schools now use alphasmarts in the classroom for writing disabled children. It is a wordprocessor and keyboard all in one the they kids can just hook up to the printer when it is time to turn in their work. That is such a cop out. So many children diagnosed with a writing disorder use either an alphasmart or a computer in class intead of writing. (The alphasmart is the better way to go because he can sit at his desk and isn't segregated at all. This is such a normal accomodation. You might want to ask them to test for a writing disability. The following are two websites that describe dysgraphia. Because DS suffers from this - it is the only one I really know about. I would check it out and see if it rings any bells. When Writing's a Problem
A description of dysgraphiaand Dysgraphia
Learning Disabilities in Writing |
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Post by loveforeric on Nov 7, 2003 21:42:27 GMT -5
:)Good Evening All; I have been doing some research and printing out of information. i am beginning an arsenal of information and ways to help my Eric. I have called the school and am setting up an appointment to sit down and talk and take back control of this situation. I am also asking for Eric to be tested for Dysgraphia. The website you gave me was enlightening to say the least. He definetley fits entirely into the criteria. I have to say that having all of you for support and learning from has been one great gift. Thank you so much for everything and talking to me like I am important. Sometimes that doesn't happen out here. The general pop. can be, well...., not so nice about it all. Again Thanks and have a peaceful day, Christina:) |
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Post by sierra on Nov 11, 2003 1:01:25 GMT -5
Go get'em tiger! I got some fang polish a friend furnishes me. Want me to ship some to you? |
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Post by loveforeric on Nov 14, 2003 1:15:06 GMT -5
:)Sierra; LOLLOLOLOLOL., Thanks so much for the support from you and everyone who has responded. We have spoken to the school and Eric is going to have his schedule returned back to normal for him. I was not very nice about it and they were shocked because I am usually so quiet but I have had enough. They needed to be reminded about the IEP program I guess. You should have seen their faces when I walked in with the book and papers of information. They all recieved personal copies of my expectations for my son, so as to alleviate any memory problems they might encounter about what IEP means. ;D I also gave them info on who Eric is to them and how they could learn from them as much as he can from them. OUr children are gifts. They did not choose to be attention different however there must be something special about what is in their characters and hearts to agree to put up with the hassle of dealing with the society. I just wanted them to know that. Sorry for rambling, I felt exhilerated by the little win and just had to share. Have a good day to you and yours, Christina  |
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Post by stew4me on Nov 22, 2003 16:26:27 GMT -5
Hey we could just hire you to go around the country to all of our schools for us. ;D It just amazes me how they all act like they have no responsiblities to the kids in there school who are not 'perfect'. It's like if they are not valatictorian material then they are just a problem. If we don't fight for our kids nobody will. Great job |
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Post by loveforeric on Nov 26, 2003 15:25:08 GMT -5
 TEXTstew4me;
That is a great idea. I will bring Eric(The sever ADHder) to help me out.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was a "Council" of us who could go to the Schools around the country. Have little iInformation Seminars for the staff of the Schools. especially right as the new year would start, so it would be fresh in their minds that we are serious. ;D
I have always been such an agreeable person. Then I had children and hfound out the truth about the world. Now I don't know what to do but tell the School about their lack of memory in some areas. 
Thanks for the idea. Hope your family and you have a wonderful Holiday,
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