ADHD Kiddo ~ IEP? Need help :(

Dana...Federal law does require that if a parent requests testing that they have to go through the referral process.   If a student isn't failing any subject, it would most likely be determined that there is no educational need and he wouldn't qualify for special ed.  I was just at a law conference and they said we better test if it is requested.  I would demand it and tell them you will get an advocate.  If they have any sense they would do it.  You could be looking at a learning disability rather than just ADHD. 

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, I'm printing off things to read and getting a Plan together for the meeting.  I was going to call you if you didn't mind, I'll call you tomorrow.

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.

Dana , sounds like you are ready!  And that is what is needed for sure!!  I found a therapist here that is great with these kids.  She will even come out to your house to obesreve them in their enviroment and go to ARD's with you.  I know she is miles away from you but maybe she will have the name of someone close,

Donna

I dealt with my son and ADHD for his entire academics. You are entitled to an IEPC that you will create a binding legal document with the school district that makes them give him the services he is entitled to per federal law. You can contact your state department of education and get a list of parent advocates that will assist you with a difficult school system.

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 just spoke with a friend of mine that is a Special Ed teacher and she gave me some buzz words for you to use when speaking with the school about this.  Find out what level he was placed on in reading based on the Star Reading test and also the math test.  Ask them what tier your child is on in RTI and, based on that tier, what individualized teaching plan is being done to insure your child is performing to the best of his ability.  Go above the teacher if needed.  Do not let this go!  It sounds like you are doing the right thing for your child.   

Quick update:

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.

Dana,

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!

Hey Ladybug!

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

I didn't read all of the responses, so sorry if I repeat what others have said.  Even if your child is passing, if the child is not performing near where their IQ says they should be performing, or if there are any behavior or emotional problems that are getting in the way of the child's learning, the school has to test them.  The school will fight it because if the child is tested and needs extra help, the school is legally responsible for providing that help.  Sometimes the schools will even lie to parents about what thier rights are, and most schools won't tell you everything they know.  My son is a senior this year, and I've been working this for 13 years.  Just be pushy.  You are the only one who is going to look out for your child.  If an IEP is needed, then it's needed.  Teachers don't like to write them, because it makes things a little harder for them, but it's not extra work.  They are paid to teach all the kids, and if some kids learn differently, then they need to be taught differently.  My parents were both teachers, and I take my mom with me to all ARDs.  If you have a problem with the ARDs going well, I find recording the ARDs make everyone behave better.  The school just has to be told that you are going to record the meeting so they can also make a recording.