Help Me-ADHD

[GreenGirl8]

I agree with you, but I don't want to assume the school is doing everything wrong. A lot happens in meetings and I did ask her in my original post if she was evaluated. Please, I am not trying to dismiss the concerns of the parent at all. I am just letting her know that there are ways to get services even if she did not qualify for special education services.

 

[Dawnjoennikki98]

Even though her First Grade teacher and social worker contacted me because of issues Nikki was having in class, once I came in and spoke with the social worker, she told me the school can't help at all, since Nikki is not failing (can you fail first grade??) And told me to get her help....I have no insurance, I am a single working mom...I tried to get the state or county to help, but I make too much for them to help. The school will not evaluate her. Yet, they continued to contact me when Nikki was having issues/anxiety etc... in school....makes me very frustrated, but I'm not sure what to do. She did see a neurologist who DX her with ADHD and anxiety disorder, and recommended further testing etc.... and possible medication, but I cannot afford any more doctors or tests...Thanks everyone. Are there other things I can do? I'm ready to move back in with my parents, and homeschool her, because honestly, since she started school, she is SOO much worse. The school doesn't care that she is having SUCH anxiety all day, she is uncomfortable, anxious, etc... etc... oh well, very tired, I won't babble on anymore right now!
Dawn

 

[Dawnjoennikki98]

<<<<I am just letting her know that there are ways to get services even if she did not qualify for special education services.>>>>>


I would love to hear about this! thanks
Dawn

 

[MissD]

Even though her First Grade teacher and social worker contacted me because of issues Nikki was having in class, once I came in and spoke with the social worker, she told me the school can't help at all, since Nikki is not failing (can you fail first grade??) And told me to get her help....I have no insurance, I am a single working mom...I tried to get the state or county to help, but I make too much for them to help. The school will not evaluate her. Yet, they continued to contact me when Nikki was having issues/anxiety etc... in school....makes me very frustrated, but I'm not sure what to do. She did see a neurologist who DX her with ADHD and anxiety disorder, and recommended further testing etc.... and possible medication, but I cannot afford any more doctors or tests...Thanks everyone. Are there other things I can do? I'm ready to move back in with my parents, and homeschool her, because honestly, since she started school, she is SOO much worse. The school doesn't care that she is having SUCH anxiety all day, she is uncomfortable, anxious, etc... etc... oh well, very tired, I won't babble on anymore right now!
Dawn

Have you tried to get help through NAMI or perhaps a local United Way mental health affiliate? The prescription companies have plans to supply medications if you cannot afford them. We are blessed that my husband has a great mail order prescription plan through his employer--I just calculated that my son's 3 meds would cost us $1900 every 90 days instead of the $105 we pay. I can't imagine what we'd do without the coverage.

One thing I noticed-and I apologize if this has been addressed already-you mentioned that your daughter was diagnosed by a neurologist. If there is any way (again, NAMI has great resources) to have your daughter seen by a psychiatrist or a psychologist, you may be able to get some of the help you need from professionals better equipped for what you're dealing with. There are many free and sliding scale options-don't lose hope.

 

[Dawnjoennikki98]

Thank you for all your advice. What is NAMI? I tried to go to the hospital clinic, but they do not do a sliding scale. And they said there is at least a one year waiting list. I've tried everything I could find in my county and surrounding counties. I don't know where else to look. I know, the neurologist was not who I needed to take her to, but that's who the school recommended she see....so, family members and I scraped up the money for one visit last fall...And that doc recommended she see a psychiatrist and psychologist....but no more money for it. Thanks again. I appreciate you're trying to help! So, let me know what NAMI is please?

 

[HappyLawyer]

I agree with you, but I don't want to assume the school is doing everything wrong. A lot happens in meetings and I did ask her in my original post if she was evaluated. Please, I am not trying to dismiss the concerns of the parent at all. I am just letting her know that there are ways to get services even if she did not qualify for special education services.

yes, but it is also most likely that any other way to get services will incurr some type of expense, no matter the amount or the cost even if it is 20 bucks a week, times are hard, very hard for many and paying anything may be difficult

 

[MissD]

Thank you for all your advice. What is NAMI? I tried to go to the hospital clinic, but they do not do a sliding scale. And they said there is at least a one year waiting list. I've tried everything I could find in my county and surrounding counties. I don't know where else to look. I know, the neurologist was not who I needed to take her to, but that's who the school recommended she see....so, family members and I scraped up the money for one visit last fall...And that doc recommended she see a psychiatrist and psychologist....but no more money for it. Thanks again. I appreciate you're trying to help! So, let me know what NAMI is please?

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
They have a website:
http://www.nami.org/
and are a wealth of info and support sources for families dealing with the issues that you and I (and so many others) face. You can check for chapters and resources either nationally or locally.
They may be able to assist you in getting the help you need.

They have been a godsend to us. Hope you'll find they can be helpful to you too.

 

[GreenGirl8]

<<<<I am just letting her know that there are ways to get services even if she did not qualify for special education services.>>>>>


I would love to hear about this! thanks
Dawn

She can recieve these services through a 504 plan which is available to students with certain types of disabilities.

Before you even bring this up to the school though, you need to get a full psycho-educational evaluation through the school. They can NOT tell you no. Please put your request in writing and state that according to IDEA they must follow a timeline including finishing the assessment within 60 days from the date it is signed. You will not be able to get this going until school starts, but I would get your request in to the District Office as soon as they are back in their office. Hand deliever the request to the public services/special education department of the building. No school district can deny an evaluation if it is in writing.