ADHD, Medication and a mom confession...

[eeyoreandtink]

And yet, the schools interpret it as a reasonable accommodation. I get that you would begrudge someone else coffee. I get that you think it's not fair. The schools don't agree with you. You can always go complain when some kid gets accommodated if you feel so strongly. For now it's quite a common thing and kids with attention disorders benefit from it in many districts.

They only way I can see it not being allowed is if there is another child in the classroom that it would harm. I had a student one time that couldn't tolerate certain smells, including coffee, because they triggered migraines. In that case, the kid would have to find an alternate caffeine delivery method. I couldn't have coffee in the classroom that year.

 

[Baklava]

They only way I can see it not being allowed is if there is another child in the classroom that it would harm. I had a student one time that couldn't tolerate certain smells, including coffee, because they triggered migraines. In that case, the kid would have to find an alternate caffeine delivery method. I couldn't have coffee in the classroom that year.

Exactly. And in a school large enough they'd probably put the kids in separate classes in order to meet the LRE standard for each of them.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Exactly. And in a school large enough they'd probably put the kids in separate classes in order to meet the LRE standard for each of them.

That depends. If they are in high school, even at large schools there is often only one class for say, AP Calculus or Physics. In that case there has to be some kind of compromise. I have encountered a situation where 2 IEPs were in conflict and there was no option to separate at least a couple of times in my career.

 

[Baklava]

That spends. If they are in high schools, even at large schools there is often old one class for say, AP Calculus of Physics. In that case there has to be some kind of compromise. I have encountered a situation where 2 IEPs were in conflict an there was no option to separate at least a couple of times in my career.

Sorry, by "large enough" I mean, "large enough to have two separate classes." If a 3000 student school can only swing one AP Physics class, it's not "large enough" by this standard and yes, you'd have to figure out whose accommodations were adjustable. Accommodations cannot restrict someone else's access to education. I agree. High school might be easier. The kid with the coffee could probably handle 50 minutes without it and be okay. By high school most kids have learned better coping skills.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

My son is diagnosed with ADHD inattentive w/o hyperactivity. We started out working with behavioral therapist at least once a week, but eventually that wasn't enough and we had to try meds. The first stimulant we tried (concerta) worked great, which I understand is a miraculous occurrence, but then 2 years later my son developed tics so we had to stop the meds. Problem is, my son gets incredibly frustrated when he's not medicated and he asked to take meds again this school year. His new doctor prescribed Strattera, which isn't a stimulant and shouldn't trigger his tics, but it's not working. the doctor raised the dosage but we're doubtful that it will work.

I highly recommend behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and medication management by a child psychiatrist. I would also suggest finding a therapist/psychiatrist office that will help you arrange wraparound services. A wraparound social worker may be able to help you get your son an IEP with the school district to help him until you can get the medication situation straightened out.