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Post by brookesmom on Oct 25, 2004 20:41:07 GMT -5
I have a meeting with the school district on Wednesday to review my daughter's recent evaluation and to determine if she qualifies for an IEP or 504 or possibly nothing.
Background-Daughter is in 5th grade, dx ADD-Inattentive in June. Just started Concerta 36 mg. about 3 weeks ago. It has improved her attention somewhat but it is way too early to tell if it will be successful. She has shown poor achievement over the last several years. She is clearly a bright child but cannot demonstrate that on tests and school assignments. Homework stinks just like it does for so many of you.
What is the best for a child whose ADD really seems to get in the way of school success. Do school districts really recognize this as a problem? Will she be adequately protected by a 504 plan or should I fight to have her classified as OHI?
I don't post often but I read and respect the opinions of so many wise individuals here. Advice needed!!!!
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Post by HooDunnit on Oct 25, 2004 20:46:07 GMT -5
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Post by adhdtimes4 on Oct 25, 2004 22:20:41 GMT -5
A school is also required by law to adhere to a 504 plan. Quite simply, an IEP is for children with learning disabilities, and a 504 is for kids with heath issues. Since ADHD is not a learning disability in itself, these kids may qualify for a 504 under 'other health impaired'. If your daughter has a significant difference between her ability and her achievement, she would most likely qualify for an IEP. Otherwise, if her ADHD strongly impacts her everyday life, she'd still be eligible for a 504. Check out this link: www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/Pages/North/Hopkins_SS/idea504.htm#chart for more explanation. One of our sons (ADHD/Inattentive) has a 504, and it is invaluable - especially as they grow older! With either plan, you have to stay on top of things, and sometimes remind or prod teachers and administrators to do what they need to do. |
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 26, 2004 9:12:24 GMT -5
Mikey has a 504, although he is in 2nd grade, it has helped a bit. He doesn't really have a work load that needs to be cut back, but we do have it written in his 504, since as soon as he learns something, he is off to the next thing retaining the information that he previously learned. He has an excellant memory, so in his mind, he needs to move forward with the learning process. If there isn't something for him to do, he gets into trouble and then I get the phone calls  What helped us was proving from the Pediatric Neurologist her script that supported us on the adhd AND she specifically put to recommend a 504. That was a big blessing in my eyes. Good luck and fire away with the questions. There is a very good base of knowlege from the members |
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Post by tridlette on Oct 26, 2004 13:31:15 GMT -5
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Post by brookesmom on Oct 26, 2004 13:53:36 GMT -5
You guys are awesome!! All of the links provided have been a big help. I need clarification on one thing. Can my child qualify for an IEP by being declared OHI due to her ADD diagnosis? If so how do they determine if a childs ADD is enough of a problem to qualify. Just trying to be prepared!
Chris
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Post by Sorka on Oct 26, 2004 15:10:39 GMT -5
Yes a child can get and IEP for ADD.. A!!! Take a tape recorder and another person to the meeting! 1. Don't let them pull the let's wait and see if the medication is going to work card.. Concerta is a fast and short acting medication so what you have seen with it is what it will be like in the future.. If it is not working so well, you may at some point opt to not use it.. they need to keep that in mind.. Medication should not even be in the factoring where the school is concerned. That is a decision between you, your doctor and your child.. They have NO say, and it should really be of no concern to them other than to be aware that she is on medication in case of some emergency. 2. Do not let them pull the she doesn't qualify for it because she only has one disability/diagnosis.. NO WHERE in the law is that a requirement that there is more than one disabiltity/diagnosis in order to qualify. 3. Don't sign off on anything.. at the meeting, take it home mull it over take YOUR time.. 4. *(should have put this sooner) I believe that they are supposed to tell you 24 hours ahead of time who is going to be at the meeting. So if someone like say the district lawyer shows up without notice.. you simply do this.. ask the lawyer to leave.. they did not give you notice that they were going to be there .. if they refuse then you will ajourn the meeting stating that 'you do not waive your right to participate, that the meeting is null and void under IDEA as you understand it, and that you will file a complaint with the state ed dept. over their having the lawyer there without notice in advance..' And that the meeting can be reconvened when you have obtained legal counsel 5. They CANNOT use one single test to determine elgibility.. so if they come at you with one test.. sock it to em! Was she tested while on the meds or off? Ok.. a good tutorial... is.. www.tourettesyndrome.net look at the bottom right corner of the page for an advocacy link. In there is a self help tutorial you may find helpful.. make sure you have all your paperwork organized and with you.. And good luck!!!! Denise |
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Post by tridlette on Oct 26, 2004 15:58:19 GMT -5
Yes a child can get and IEP for ADD.. Ok.. a good tutorial... is.. www.tourettesyndrome.net look at the bottom right corner of the page for an advocacy link. In there is a self help tutorial you may find helpful.. make sure you have all your paperwork organized and with you..
AND KEEPING RECORDS is another must for all future referencing. Trust me, my 9th grader is being re-evaluated right now, and trying to pull together information from 5 different schools, and 4 different pychologists that are strewn about the house of an ADHD mother is a very difficult task. START NOW, now matter what, with ONE central ORGANIZED file for EACH individual child. I am dealing with three that have DUAL EXCEPTIONALITIES, so I have six times the documents to maintain. |
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Post by brookesmom on Oct 26, 2004 16:39:18 GMT -5
Denise,
I am right with you regarding the medication. I also agree that it has no basis in determining eligibility, that it is my choice as a parent to medicate in order to give my daughter an opportunity to have some focus in the classroom. She was evaluated unmedicated so they actually saw her true nature when they observed in the classroom. I am just worried that ADD might not be seen as a true disability. Even if it is, how do we make up for all of the lost time with basic accomodations.
Pray for me not to buckle under pressure!!
Chris
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 26, 2004 17:24:21 GMT -5
(((((((((((((hat, broom, attitude)))))))))
All for you. Make sure you have any questions written down before hand and make copies for everyone that will be there, go over them step by step as your concerns. You might remember everything, but this is a good thing to do, that way they can see you mean business. All of them can see that you mean business, and with that paper in your hand if you do get side tracked, you can say, "excuse me, did we cover this yet? if so, I didn't understand, please explain it in terms that I can understand."
Don't be afraid to say you don't under stand the how's or why's. Better to KNOW what they mean than walk away more confused because of formalities and such.
Good luck
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Post by Sorka on Oct 26, 2004 22:13:14 GMT -5
Well I am sure that Tridlette will lend you a pin or two to hold you steady!!!
;D
Just stay steady!
We've got your back!! Just think that all of us are going into that room with you in spirit!
Denise
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Post by HooDunnit on Oct 26, 2004 22:17:20 GMT -5
My understanding is that ADD / ADHD is a medical condition / disorder (DSMIV) classification that can be the cause of a learning disability (LD). And a LD is defined as a discrepancy between a child's ability to learn (as shown on IQ tests, etc.) and their actual learning attainment (as shown on performance tests). If they are falling behind at school because of a learning disability due to a medical condition or disorder (which ADD is) then they should qualify for an IEP. This is why they do all the testing and comparing to where the child should be at. If they are falling behind, it is time for accomodations.
I'm a Canadian, so please take my understanding of it with caution. I haven't been through the real fire of it.
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 27, 2004 8:26:30 GMT -5
Thanks Barry, is that how they classify things in Canada? Mikey has been having problems with visual perseption and we keep trying to get him to the OT, but the OT says she sees no problems, so he only has a 504  Then again I guess she hasn't tried to read what he has written  |
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Post by brookesmom on Oct 27, 2004 13:06:06 GMT -5
Denise,
I have printed out all of the replies here and will have them in my briefcase at the meeting, pretending that you are all there cheering me on. Thanks!!!
Chris
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Post by HooDunnit on Oct 27, 2004 14:18:17 GMT -5
brookesmom -- I know that your meeting is going on today, and I hope that you will get back to us on how it went for you.
Barry
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