ADHD and 504, can you help? UPDATE pg 1

[Pembo]

I have some pretty specific questions, if you have experience with this please let me know & I can pm or email you. Thanks.

UPDATE
Had our meeting, got our referral. Thanks everyone.

 

[geffric]

I pmed you

 

[donnajon]

I PMed you as well.

 

[tiggerlover]

I know what ADHD is, but what is 504?

 

[geffric]

A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 plan is not an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 plan.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I was just thinking about you Pembo, hope your doing good

 

[ElizK]

The message board at www.schwablearning.org is an excellent place to post questions. All the parents who post there have children with learning disabilities (including me!). They are very helpful!

 

[momof2OH]

I sent you a PM.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi.. lots of 504 experience here.... ask away.

In fact I have to go to dd, freshman, 504 meeting at 730am tomorrow morning... because NONE OF THE TEACHERS showed up for the 3pm meeting last week... NONE.... geez....

I have been dealing with 504's since kindergarten.... got it down to a science.. LOL....

So far the high school has NOT impressed me with their version of 504 planning......

They had better show up tomorrow...or it Ain't gonna be
pretty....

UPDATE:... OK... I have been doing this a llllong time... but todays meeting was the most upsetting I have ever been too. Only 3 of 6 teachers came to the meeting.. AND of the 3 who were there 2 came at the very end......

2 of Cam's teachers say she is a model student.. no problem what so ever.. getting B's and C's.. then the classes she has problems with.. F's... the teachers are reporting.. better behavior and compliance this past 10 days.... and they did not feel she needed any more than the other C students in class... sooo
that means NO 504!!! The reason she did better these 10 days is because she is grounded from TV and the phone! and those are important to her and she wants those privledges back... WHAT THE HEC???? The kid was dx'd at 3 with severe ADHD. The reason she does not have much of a 504... (no special requests for testing, no special help/leeway with homework, written/oral... etc) is because her mother.. me..
is worn out from keeping on top of things.. beating my head against the wall to make sure meds are taken, work is done, backpacks and schedules are organized... homework is done, and
all the emotional upheaval that goes with living with a kid with ADHD AND ODD.. geez.. I actually cried because I was so frustrated. I finally convinced the counselor to get us an extra set of books, seat assignment consideration, and notification if Cam's grades drop below a C..... She also said we would leave the door open so the 504 plan may still be possible.. if Cam starts having more problems.. CRIPES.. she has to dig herself out of the hole in 3 classes now....
I got NO calls from anyone at the school for these 3 F's on the 6 wk grade report out this week.. NONE!!


I have never run into a situation like this regarding 504 planning before High School for Cam. But It's my job to fight for her to get the best education she can.. and dang it.. I will do it!

Whew... sorry for venting.. it just was a very frustrating morning...

 

[northern michigan]

For those of you with an IEP, at what point or why did you go to an IEP over 504?

 

[ElizK]

Northern Michigan --- An IEP is for children who qualify for special education due to learning disibilities, emotional problems, physical handicaps, etc. A 504 is for children who have slight problems, but not enough to qualify for special ed. This is usually decided by the school according to diagnostic testing. For my DD9, it was deteremined that her disability qualified her for a 504, not an IEP.

 

[elgerber]

I don't have any answers, but my son has ADHD and we are meeting with his counselor and teachers next week to set up a 504.

 

[SandiH]

Originally posted by northern michigan
For those of you with an IEP, at what point or why did you go to an IEP over 504?

As stated above - you student needs to qualify for special education. Each state has guidelines to meet 14 (I believe) disabilities under the federal special education law known as IDEA.

An IEP provides specialized instruction and accomodations - a Section 504 Plan provides accomodations only. Which way you go depends on whether a student qualifies for special education and needs specialized instruction or if they just need accomodations to access the curriculum.

Hope this helps.

 

[janner]

DP Maddy and I are parents of a 30-year-old DD who is bi-polar and has ADHD as well as Non Verbal Learning Disability (really similar to Asperger's for those who know about that).
We didn't have a clue about any of this when she was younger, and she passed through school pretty much by becoming obsessive compulsive to compensate for her differences.
By age 15 some things were starting to crop up which, unfortunately, we attributed to "moody adolescence."
So, while I can't relate to the red tape in the school system, I can say that it is ever present in the post-school world. Navigating these bureaucratic waters has been a daunting challenge for us. Currently we are applying for SSI (disability income) for the second time, having gained much knowledge and insight since being turned down 1-1/2 years ago.
But, even more than wanting our daughter to receive the services and job accomodations she needs, we yearn for her to feel succesful in life and to be able to take care of herself when we are no longer here to assist her.
It helps to know there are other DISers out there in similar circumstances.
Janner

 

[donnajon]

Hey MOMAJOAN,
I have a friend who is a high school guidance counselor and my sister is the Head SPED (special education teacher) at her high school. They say to get P & A (protection and advocacy) involved. The guidance counselor said schools freak when you call P & A and will give you what you need. Good luck.
Donna

 

[mamajoan]

Thanks for the info donnajon.

I am back to my normal self now.. sorry for venting about the 504 mtg at the HS......

Sometimes parents of ADHD kids just want SOMEONE to say
"I understand"
Thanks for listening...
and OP thanks for this thread...it came at a really good time.

 

[SueM in MN]

And here's a resource that has information about Advocacy:
Pacer Center
PACER stands for Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights. It's based in Minnesota (because Minnesota was the demonstration site), but is a national resource. Each area of the country has a similar organization (part of IDEA and services paid for by your tax money).
Pacer has a lot of information (especially inder the "Articles" button) and has links to national and local resources (including how to get an advocate).

 

[Pembo]

Thanks to all who responded. If I didn't pm you back, I already have enough info for now. I may need more ammo after tomorrow, however.

 

[Pembo]

bump for update

 

[mamajoan]

just wanted to say..

DD's 504 plan is going in and will be reviewed... Principal got wind of what happened.. pulled DD file.. and said... "Holy smokes.. what the hec happened... this kid has meds and dx of ADHD.. she gets the 504"... counselor is learning how to do 504's all over again... seems she has been not doing them correctly.... hmmm....

so for all of the ADHD moms out there.... big hugs.. and remember you are your child's advocate!

Pembo, I hope it all goes well for you and your child.