ADHD Kiddo ~ IEP? Need help :(

I'm scheduled for a parent teacher conference Wednesday afternoon but trying to reschedule for tomorrow if at all possible.  My 10 year old is really struggling this year, 4th grader.  His teachers do NOT give homework with the exception of writing his spelling words 5Xs each every night....absolutely no other homework and he's NOT bringing anything home to study for test.  Fourth Grade = LEAP test in Louisiana, IT'S A MUST TO BE PROMOTED TO 5th GRADE.

I'm at wits end.....almost.  His grades have steadily gone down this year, yes he's passing but he's more capable of good grades, the kid is not dumb.  Maybe I need to hire an after school tutor, I just don't know.

I've talked to the school counsel and she said "Oh no you don't want an IEP".  Do any of you have ADHD kids with IEPs?  Vanessa (Butterfly Reborn) I hope you read this, you sent me info last year and I lost the paperwork but I've talked to other parents with ADHD children and they said that is BS.  Two of my uncles were principals (retired) in the school system and they said this is NOT right.

I think Conner needs more individualized help.  He's really frustrated and we are too.  We are scheduled for an appt with the pediatrician in a few weeks, I'm thinking it may be a matter of scheduling with a child psychiatrist also for more extensive testing. 

I was told the school should test him but they are ********  Yes I'm ready to fight like hell I just don't know where to start.....any ideas?

no ideas but I'll say a prayer or three and swing the cat :)

Dana I have been dealing wiht this myself for a few years.  My son had and IEP but more because he had speech therapy so we were able to get him more help.  But he  'graduated' and lost that IEP.  Howedver I decided to try meds this year and it has made a lot of difference.  I am very frustrated with the school because they will not do the testing unless his grades fall more than they have wich is sooooo frustrating.  I will respond more via email to you.  I have been given lots of ideas and help from others and my pedi has been great at helping as well.

Donna 

I don't know about LA, but in Texas the school district is required to test the student.  My son was homeschooled and the district he would have been in if he were enrolled in public school still had to test him.  It is the state law.

I am in texas and that is not what I was told.  Since my son's grades are still good they WILL NOT test him.

Emm was diagnosed and had an IEP done in 3rd grade. She had a teacher *****fused to believe she had any ADHD issues.  Said Emm just wanted to misbehave.  I finally had my mother come up with me to the superintendent since Mom is a retired Spec. Ed teacher.  We demanded the testing and yes, she had an IEP for about a year. With that and the correct medication, she got into some great study habits and was able to go completely mainstream by 5th grade.  She also had the most wonderful 4th grade (first year) teacher who took lots of time with her.

Karla might be able to shed some light on how to 'demand' one.  It was very worth it for Emm.

Our oldest is completely deaf in her left ear so had an IEP from 2nd grade onward.  They finally got to the point of dismissing her, but now we have issues again.  I asked them to retest her but their answer....(I just got this today from them by the way)... since she was released and her grades are passing, if I want her retested, it's up to ME to find someone to test her outside the school.  SOOOO frustrating.  I balked at dismissing her out of special ed but they really all but insisted stating she would be monitored and watched.  HA!  I've been a royal pain in their butt this past couple months though and have NO intentions of letting up until I get what I feel she NEEDS!  Having an IEP is no big deal - it stands for Individualized Education Program - basically it's a plan to suit each individual child's needs.  Heather for example needs to sit near the front, she needs to get a copy of the teacher's notes TYPED out and handed to her even though she attempts to write them down, etc. 

Just irritating when the ball is rolling at a snail's pace!!!

Hang in there Dana!  DO keep a notebook of every time you ask for this or that, keep copies of requests you ask them to do, etc.  I know I started documenting EVERYTHING I did and boy did it come in handy when the school's left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing and once they found out I had a huge notebook of everything that ever transpired with Heather, there was initially no more jackin' around!

Hope you can get the services deserved!!!!

Morning Dana,

I so know exactly where you are coming from.  Eric was diagnosed with ADHD and Dilexia in the 4th grade.  He was struggeling and like your son his grades were slowly slipping.  We had to go outside the school to get testing done because the school he was in at the time refused to do any testing.  Needless to say we moved him and it was the best thing we ever did for him.  We met with the teachers and instead of an IEP we did a 504 wich still gives him lots of help and we hav goals we have to work twords the best thing about it is it individualized.  He gets prefered seating, extra time for homework and in class work, when it comes for state testing he will get extra time, and they actually have a room where the kids with prolems go and test.  The 504 is something that will go with him all through high school and into college if he needs it. We also started Eric on medication and it has worked well to.  If I can help in any other way please let me know.  Michelle

Dana, Miranda might be able to help you. She is dealing with not one, but THREE teenagers with ADHD! Her email is [email protected].

Well crap I started writing this and it just dissapeared!
I've had alot of experience with schools and IEP. Chris has had one from Kindergarten on and at first it was just for ADHD. Because ADHD is overused and overdiagnosed, and hard to prove unlike a physical disability, schools are often leary. BUT, don't let that stop you. You might consider writing a letter to the school dated by you and them- you could send it certified which would also get their attention- stating what is going on, what your concerns are, and that his educational needs are not being met because of his neurobiological condition-ADHD. They then have 10 days to get back to you.
I'm sure they'll want to pu**** till after break. If your insurance pays for testing, you might look into scheduling with a child psychologist to get some testing done. My insurance paid for Chris's years ago. Psychiatrists mostly give out meds, psychologists do testing.
The key is to prove to the school that he needs accommodations because of his disability- preferred seating, quiet individual testing if that distracts him, one-on-one help in the resource room-not because he needs spec ed mind you, but because he needs that one-on-one at times because the regular classroom with 28 kids or so can be distracting enough just sitting there, much less trying to learn.

Good luck -email me or PM me if you have other questions.