ADHD Kiddo ~ IEP? Need help :(
You may ask if there is any computer or other type extra tutorial program before asking for a sp. ed. referral. Call me if you have any questions. Tomorrow would be better for me. I have meetings all day today and my homebound student tonight. Anytime tomorrow would be fine.
Karla
Karla Lewis 337/194/175
Lap RNY 1-23-2006 Dr. Terry Scarborough Houston, TX
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I sent an email to the counselor, his teacher and the principal last night requesting testing and an IEP. I just feel so lost as I don't understand how this process works. We have retired educators in our family that retired as principals so I'm going to call my Uncle tonight and see if he'll attend the meeting with me.
I've been in contact with his teachers (3) and they have stated that Conner is not progressing as well now as he did at the beginning of the year and he is VERY easily distracted. I believe the teachers now he needs help just because I don't know the process they haven't "pushed" for MY child. I'm going in there with both barrels loaded, I want him to get the BEST education he can and if it is an IEP or 504 then damnit give him that extra help.
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
Donna
The Pediatrician and Psychologist will not go to bat for your son with the schools systems but they will prescribe meds and monitor them. You YOU are the only one that can go to bat for your child and if they don't abide by what you say, you can bring legal action to them.
You can demand an IEPC at any time. And you can invite any one you want to it on behalf of your sons interest. Of course you will need to have him tested by their standards and put him in the Special education system. Do not let them classify him as EI emotionaly impaired. The correct classification for ADHD is PHOI Physically or otherwise impaired.
My son graduated in 6/2006 from Hi-school. He had such a hard time in school because of the system that he has no desire to further his education.
DON'T LET YOUR SON GET LOST IN THE CRACKS.
I've sent some emails, made some phone calls, and have printed off lots of information to get Conner help.
It's amazing how putting something in writing and telling them the clock is now running how quickly those emails were answered.
Thanks everyone, I'm going to get this done; Conner isn't dumb he just needs a different system to help him excel.
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
I work with juveniles who are diagnoised with a mental health dx, and are involved with the legal system... I have worked this position for 3 1/2 years, prior to that I worked outpatient mental health with children and adolscents for 2 years. I have worked with the school districts fighting this same issue and advocating for kids and their parents for a total of 5 1/2 years!
School Districts have to do certain things in order to received special education federal and state funding. They want to do as little as possible, and hope that the "hoops" that parents have to jump through will disencourage parents to continue to fight! It is SAD that parents have to keep fighting this.
The teachers and schools are told that they cannot suggest testing because by law if they suggest it they have to pay for whatever the recommendations are whether or not that is something locally in the school district or having to have child placed in a residential center or placement outside the district because of academic and behavioral problems.
If there is NOTED behavioral and academic decline in your child's performance you may write for the school to do a psychological or necessary testing.
I do this all the time, and work closely with school psychologist and behavioralist.
I can give you more information, but it might be better via phone. I have an office full of legal issues, parent notebooks for Texas, but I can research LA if need be.
BEFORE you schedule with a child psychiatrist (again I work with one)... the SCHOOL should be paying for this and through there evaluations, not you! Especially if there is MARKED decline in academic problems OR behavioral problems noted.
Remember to be ADHD though, it has to be in all areas across the board, not just at school.
Is he currently on medication for ADHD? Is it documented?
There are 3 options I see just in reading what you have written, but would need more information to assist.
Let me know!
I've been offline with a sick kiddo yesterday and just now saw your post.
First- as Karla said, if YOU ask for testing then they have to accomodate. Sometimes after a meeting with all parties involved then parents will sometimes want to try other things before being tested. If the behaviors he is exhibiting aren't related to ADHD but rather a learning disability then you have every right to ask for testing. If everything that he is going through is related to the ADHD, then you know what is going on, testing at this point may not reveal anything that you don't already know. Modifications, extra homework, access to extra labs, etc may be more beneficial.
Next- even if he is still passing all of his core subjects it does not mean that he is not entitiled to help. The law says nothing about failing/passing. What is does say is "progressing". If he is not progressing to the best of his ability then there is an educational need. I will use cognitive referencing right now as a point- let's say there is a student that has an IQ of 100 but he is making 70's in all of his subjects. We know he is mentally capable of doing better then 70's. And although 70's would still be considered passing, he is not progressing to his ability.
Third- In Texas we have what is called 504. It puts modifications in place for kids. My daughter has a 504 in place for her hearing. She is not eligible for special education because of the nature of her particular disability, but she still has educational needs that need to be addressed- ie preferential seating, ability to ask for clarification if she can't hear something, time to go to the nurse if she needed to change her hearing aid batteries (she doesn't wear an aid right now though), etc etc. 504 can put safety measures in place without having the label or testing of special education.
Finally- be specific about what you want. If all you want are modifications like reduced assignments or preferential seating then make sure your wants are known. The more specific you are the better your chances of getting what you want. Be careful about asking for pull-out services through special education. When a child is pulled from his general education classroom he misses valuable instruction time. Even if he is in a special education classroom it is not the same as sitting in his own classroom. Sadly, children who are pulled for spec ed statistically tend to get farther and farther behind the longer they are in.
Would after school tutoring be beneficial. Is it offered?
What types of labs do they have? Is he receiving their services?
What types of curriculum are they using? Can they prove evidence based research that makes it beneficial to the children they are teaching it to? Just because a new program sounds good in theory does not make it a sound instrument. It has to be research proven that it is effective.
Would proper seating modifications help? Close to the teacher, away from extraneous noises such as windows and air conditioner/heating vents and doorways.
Can you provide documentation from your dr that he has been diagnosed with ADHD? Make sure you have it when you go in.
If modifications for shortening his assignments would help then will they send they other half home? We learn better when we practice more often. They are not grading his attention abilities at that point- they are back to grading what he truly knows. Sending home assignments then lets him learn what he needs to at school but allows it to be cut in half and worked on again in another setting.
Is he taking the correct medication and dosage? Document that you are trying to do everything in your power to help him and them. This will help you become an ally, which is basically what you want.
I hope this helps. I don't know the right answer for him. I have been there as a mom and I know what you are going through. Keep me posted- and if you ever need anything then feel free to call me!! I'm here for you!
Love you!!
Tracey
The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. Walt Disney
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