How to get a 504 Plan started?

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Does anyone know how to get a 504 Plan started at school for my daughter? She is 8 years old, in 3rd grade & has Irritable Bowel Syndrome. (like an IP for a child with dislexia or autism, but this is for a medical condition)

We got a "not so understanding, strick, inconsiderate" teacher this year & I don't want to deal with this again next year, so considering one for 4th grade.

But where to start?

 

[Belle's Castle]

In NY one would write a letter to the school prin. and director of special education requesting a 504 Plan be considered. Any documentation and recommendations from a doctor is always helpful.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Contact your school's special ed director, guidance counselor, or principal to request a 504. Keep as much documentation as possible of how this medical condition effects your DD's school experience (time out of school/class, unable to focus due to pain, taking medications at school that cause her to be out of the classroom, etc). It seems as though her current teacher is a big reason you are contemplating a 504 so try to document specific experiences that due to the teacher's attitude/handling of the matter that have caused "issues" with her learning/learning environment (not allowing DD to make up work, docking grades because assignments were not handed in on time or complete due to illness, not allowing her to use the restroom or phone to call home to go home due to illness, etc). Also, having your Dr onboard will help, so make sure you have her records available if the school requests them. And if you do qualify this year, DD should begin receiving services immediately (with the IEP)...but this late in the year you may get approval over the summer, depends on school/district. HTH

 

[ckrum]

1. Get a letter/report from Dr. w/her diagnosis.
2. Be prepared w/a list of the accomodations that you feel are necessary.
3. Contact your school's Director of Special Education.

Good luck!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Last year (2nd grade) upon her diagnosis I wrote letters to all of her teachers (PE, Art, Music, Library, etc.) and also spoke to them at the open house at the beginning of the year. I had no problem at all. Her actual regular teacher actually spotted a few issues & asked if she could take away the time part of her timed math tests & gradually put it back - as she noticed the panic & stomach aches that came immediately after. She was wonderful.

This year the teacher has even told me she has told my DD to "hold it", when asked to use the bathroom - all because she was interrupting her. And the teacher has been told in writting & in person that "holding it" can cause her spasms to return. It's like she is ignoring it or making it out to me nothing. I just don't want to cause more issues for her with this teacher.

All of her other teachers have NO problem with any request - its just her main teacher this year that has almost ignored my requests. Even in week 1 denied her a refill of her water, because it was hot & everyone else wanted it too.

Things get "fixed" but they shouldn't have to if she would only follow my list of (not unreasonable) requests. Water when needed, bathroom when needed, snacks when needed, etc. And as little stress as possible - as with stress comes the acid release in her stomach, spasms & stomach aches. (poor thing!)

I just want to be prepared for next year........

And I did forget to mention we live in Illinois - just in case there are any teachers/educators/or principal's out there from Illinois that do know how to get this ball rolling.

Thanks everyone

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Have you contacted the schools guidance department or teacher about DD's teacher's behavior? If the teacher is following school policy that is one thing, but if she is just being "teacher centered' there is no need for that. Possibly if the teacher was talked to by the principal she would understand that this is not something to dismiss. Just out of curiosity, is this a newbie or seasoned teacher?

I used to work in the Cook Co. system, but at a Special Ed school (HS) so all my students had their IEPs in place.

Good Luck!

 

[mays]

Princess Abby's Mom I am so sorry that you have encountered such a (ugh I can't say what comes to mind)... Seriously telling her to hold it?

Can't a teacher be held liable for inflicting pain and undue harm on your child? If she needs to go, she needs to go... the holding it can cause her more stress, not to mention next time when she has to interact with this teacher...over something as basic as bodily function. Where is the common sense? Let alone compassion!

My little guy has colon condition and we had a teacher tell him he had to go with the class..it takes him a little bit of time to go, and sometimes a few tries before it comes out. The teacher told grandma during pick up that we go as a class and that he needs to speed it up, or go before he comes to school. (sure I will have a conference with his colon about times of day to go)

Grandma was great! Her response are you coming to our house and sitting with him when he becomes impacted and needs an enema or will you be at the hospital when they need to remove the stool.

Very sternly "If he needs to potty you will not stop him do you understand me..."

Sending out hugs to your daughter, I hope going forward that she does not encounter more nonsense from this teacher...

 

[princessmom29]

Teacher's perspective here. It sounds to me like there may be 2 potential issues in this situation. Either commmunication between parent and teacher has broken down and the teacher truly does not realized the seriousnes of what is going on, or the teacher has written the situation off as a "neurotic mom" overdramatizing the child's illness and aggravating the situation. I have dealt with kids with illnesses in the past and this is simply not the way to handle the situation. I have seen many children who i felt would be much better off if mom would just let go a little, but it is NOT my place to decide how a child's illness will be dealt with. It is my job to honor the parent's wishes as long it does not have a negative impact on that child or another child's education. I have told parents on occasion that I WILL honor thier wishes within reason, but that I felt that their child was having difficulty not because of their actual illness, but the focus placed on it. Agian this was said tothe parent not the child. I would never undermine a parent in the classroom, but i do feel it is my responsibility to educate parents as well as children. Sometimes the if less foucs is placed on the illness and the special treatment the child recieves for it, the child stops asking for and needing special treatment as often.

 

[muscarello4]

Get documentation of the illness. Your daughter will qualify under OHI (Other Health Impaired). Essentially a 504 requires that the teacher allow the accomodations. (If she refuses, it is a huge problem! We're talking a possible law suit here.) A meeting will be called where the Principal, Special Education Coordinator, Parents, and Teacher will all discuss the necessary accomodations. This 504 will be re-evaluated every year to ensure that the needs are still there.

I have had MANY kids on 504s. They have had a multitude of accomodations. Normally, I will pull the kiddo out in to the hall or a side room very early on in the school year and let them know what accomodations they are able to use. Many of my students choose not to use the accomodations because they don't want to seem any different from the rest of the kids. (I monitor them closely to make sure that they don't need the accomodation.....and I am dealing with 8th graders who are able to better self-manage.)

The accomodations will ensure that her teacher is happily on board. I would start the process ASAP.

Good Luck.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Well, I was hoping not to have to do this 504 Plan, but its almost coming to push comes to shove here.

I actually only brought up these issues 3 times this year. 1st week when water refused, then parent/teacher conferences and 1 other when the bathroom was requested & she was told to wait. All legit talks. I don't think that I am an over neurotic mom (not that you were accusing - just stating), I have the total support from her 2nd grade teacher & have spoken to her on this to make sure I am not over reacting. And she supports me (and no she was not a friend before she taught my DD)

This teacher is a long timer, only 3 years at our school, but an olderish woman - her husband a principal in another town.

Our principal is more useless then this teacher. I went to her 2 years ago because my DD contracted Whooping Cough from school and she failed to notify the parents that there were "suspected cases" in the school. Her response was "thats not my job - it wasn't tested positive". Long story short, but unless tested in 1st week, it will never be positive & in the 1st week its only cold like, nothing more.

My daughter has already had shingles at age 4 (due to stress), IBS is stress related/induced etc. For some reason she stresses over everything too much & the teacher just doesn't believe me IMO.

I think I just need to get this started, atleast for next year.

And I think I just need to go in & talk to the teacher - if the response isn't good, then I will take it to the Principal, Superintendent & then the Board. We don't have a Guidance Counselor in grade school that I am aware of.

I also don't think my requests have been over, above & beyond. She rarely takes the afternoon snack - only the AM one with the entire class. And I am just now supplying her with a larger bottle of water to hopefully avoid the refill. The only real major thing is the bathroom breaks. I have told her if she has to go - go. If there are any consequences - I will deal with the school, not her. If she has to take her prescription meds, then she is for a possible dehydration - 1 side effect is not sweating or producing salava. And therefore her meds & the heat don't mix well. But were in Illinois, so not an issue right now.

In 2007 when school started - it was high 90's, on high doses of Benefiber & her prescription meds, then the school went into lockdown. She was soooo sick for days, dehydration, diarrhia, headaches, terrible stomach aches, etc. Worry, locked in room - no bathroom access, dehydrated from heat & diarrhia, but I had a great teacher that year - helped w/everything!

I will just start at the bottom & pray for the best - thanks for letting me talk

 

[princessmom29]

I was totally NOT implying you were overly neurotic. Just saying that certain teachers are bad to assume the worst of parents! I have been on the recieving end of this as a mom so i know how it feels!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

No, no - I didn't think you were & didn't take it that way - just wanted to clerify that I too have thought that. You know doubting myself, is it just me or can the teacher do better thing.

I am really trying to see both sides & have come to the conclusion to go in & just focus on how my DD is feeling, crying at nights about little things, etc. Not to blame anything on the teacher - just my DD is toooo sensitive & see what she can do to help in the room. There are even times that she comes home saying the teacher is always yelling (not at her, at others) and that is upsetting her. And I know she can't never yell, but what else can we do?

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Actually it is possible for a teacher to never yell in the classroom...and IMO should never yell (talking loud and firm is one thing, yelling is another) especially in lower ELE grades.

Sounds like the teacher is set in her ways. She may have been through other siituations where students or parents have tried to manipulate the situation, so may have lost trust in those that really do need accommodations and are trying to avoid going through "the system." I've noticed, being on both sides of the classroom door, that older teachers often seem to have a differing view on education when it comes to IEPs/accommodations and student needs (even without being specified). These days teacher training appears to have more education in students with various special/medical needs that will be in the general education population. Maybe I just see this from my personal teaching background.

As far as stress related illnesses...this really is not an uncommon thing (IMO). I started with stomach cramping in ele school that would keep me out of school for several days at a time, My fr year of HS it turned into paroxysimal Dystonia with my left hand and foot cramping severly turning in, in college I began with focal and petti-mal seizures which have become grand-mal...all of which can be and are related to stress.

Good Luck

 

[ckrum]

When you meet w/her teacher, be very specific. Make sure to tell the teacher that your child is never to "hold it", must have water available, etc.. Then, ask the teacher how she would like your daughter to indicate her need to leave the room. Tell the teacher that you understand that if your DD interrupts to ask to use the bathroom/get a drink that other children will suddenly need to go and that you understand how disruptive this could become. Put it back on the teacher as to the best method. Some ideas could be: putting a "Take a break" card on DD desktop, quietly leaving room, taking a bathroom/hall pass that is easily available. Then, talk to your DD about the agreed upon method. As a teacher, I can't imagine telling a child w/a known health issue to "hold it".
My DD had bowel issues and I always talked to her teacher about it & never had any problems. I also made sure that my DD knew not to abuse the extra bathroom times.
Good luck! If the teacher is not 100% cooperative, then you should talk to the School Social worker and/or the Director of Spec. Ed.

 

[ajk912]

I hope you have better luck than I did. My dd has similiar issues (she has a myriad of health issues, including minor brain damage from a birth injury). We have had our doctor fill out several forms, and even the pediatrician was getting frustrated (or maybe she was joking when she said that?) at always having to fill out a new form for the school. The doc was like..I told you 4 times she is incontinent, I am not sure what else to tell you?

Anyway, I have even got into it with the assistant principal and called the special ed office about it. They retaliated by calling the public health nurse on my daughter. The school's stance was that kids can't come to school till they are toilet trained (and able to make it to the bathroom, hold it a little, etc). This made me mad..and I even told them, it seems to me that you are discriminating against her because she can walk. If she was in a wheelchair, this would be a non-issue. But they wouldn't accept our 4 doctor's notes as anything meaningful. I have even printed off several research studies online, that said incontinence is a complication of her type of dwarfism..but apparently the school knows more than me, who lives with her everyday, or the doctors.

 

[kimsuenew]

Hello! From a parent that dealt with issues with our DS from 1st grade on, you have my sympathy and BIG HUGS!

I struggled with getting the 504 first, and then getting it followed after receiving it.

What I found finally, after numerous non-compliance issues (and all teaching staff being aware, but not following) was that for any non-compliance of the plan (a couple thought it was not neccessary and therefore the modifications/stratagies were ignored) an email helped somewhat (an email was written by me (very professional and always listed the problem(s) in detail and what part(s) of the 504 was not followed) to the teacher and CC'd to the guideance counselor, the special ed director, the school psycologist (all part of "his team") and to the principal. I also requested team meetings when major issues arrived. I sent several of these emails over a one-year period so it did not alleviate the need... but it made the school aware of the non-compliance and it also provided a "paper trail" for us (in case legal issues were to evolve). I still (7th grade) had one teacher (very old-school) that refused most everything... some people are born to teach and others... just wanted a stable career. We were blessed with many wonderful teachers, and appreciated every one of them!

First Mom you need to request an MFE be done and then a team meeting (mandatory) will be held. Be sure to provide the school with all medical documentation and any/all historical information that you have. I am giving this advice based on the fact that the teacher has not shown an interest in working with you and the principal not assisting... your request for an MFE must be honored and will get "the formal ball rolling"!

I am now in school to become a special-ed teacher (in my 40's) and hope that the struggles I/we have encountered will help me to become a better teacher with a great deal of understanding... it is humbling when the shoe is on the other foot!

Good luck!

 

[3doodlebugsmom]

My daughter has a medical 504 plan. She has JRA. We had no problem getting one written. The school nurse wrote it up with input from us and her Doctor. The Principal signed off on it, and it was done. The nurse even added some things in we didn't think of. Special Ed had nothing to do with it.
We did need the documentation from the Doctor with an exact diagnosis.
You do not seem to be asking for over the top accommodations, your daughter should be able to quietly leave the room to use the bathroom, or get more water. Sounds like your teacher has the problem, not your daughter.
I will say, when we implemented our DD's plan, we did speak with her about not "abusing" her "privledges". We told her if she used them when she didn't need them, then no one would believe her when she was really having trouble. We had asked for things like a rolling backpack ( not normally allowed in our school), elevator use, being able to get up and move in the back of the room, (her knees were very stiff), and not sitting on the floor as she was not able to get back up. Also in gym certain activities caused her pain, and she could opt out of any activity. She tried not to as she didn"t want to be "different".
On a side note, her classmates know she has arthritis and they got used to her limping around the classroom. One day a substitute was in their room and DD got up to get something. The teacher said to DD, " Honey are you okay?" Before DD could reply, One of the kids yelled out. "She's okay, she just got Arthur Ritis!" . And that was that! She was in 4th grade at the time.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

OK - went in to talk to the teacher before school. I didn't make an appointment with her, I just walked in - she didn't sit & talk w/me, she walked & worked while I talked. (kinda annoying)

I never accused her of anything.... I simply stated how sensitive my DD is (which I have already told her) and that she is taking soo much soooo personal. She is very upset lately, crying alot over little things that have happened at school. ie: teacher yelling at others - very upsetting to her & problems being wrong, but DD insistant its right & doesn't understand or feel that she can ask why.

Teachers response: she will watch her "tone" of voice at her & others. She even thought herself over the weekend that she was very harsh this week. But also brought up "well, if she needs disipline, I'm not going to give her special treatment because of this - you know she has the mouth to gab & does very often". I asked that she politely pull her to the side & talk to her then, not in front of the class, she disagreed. Saying she is simply told to stop talking - I will not pull her for that. I suggested that she be moved if she talks too much - her response is "it doesn't matter who she sits by".

So, she acted responsive, but then threw it back on my DD. I just left it as - no matter what the situation, I can't tell an 8yr old not to worry or be stressed. So, please keep that in mind during the school day. I would rather you involve me then possible stressing her out & causing more problems for her.

She also noticed an increase in bathroom use last week & gave her this "bathroom pass" to put on her desk, flag her down & go.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!!

Thanks for all your support

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Remember to document your meeting...time, place, and what ws discussed. Leave out personal feelings, just the basics like DD feeling that the teacher was "yelling" and her admitting it was a harsh week, and allowing her to use the restroom card. Hope things get better.

 

[smiths02]

504 and Special Education/IEP (Individualized Education Program)/Other Health Impaired (OHI) are two separate entities.

Someone in Special Education (IEP which may be under OHI) requires specialized instruction. Someone under 504 requires accomodations (extra time in the bathroom to extra time on tests or go to the nurse to get medications, wheelchair ramp, etc.).

Regardless of how the teacher is, if IBS requires medication, school absence, or her to go the bathroom a lot, I would request a 504 from school counselor/principal. You will need medical documentation, but often it has to be on a form from the school district, so be prepared for that. I say this because in GA, for instance, we have standardized testing called CRCT. Children MUST pass this test certain years (1,3,5) or be retained. Well, what if your daughter has to use the restroom during a test like this...there are rules about leaving the test room, missing test time, etc (that the teacher, no matter how nice or mean she may be personally cannot bend)....if she has a 504 that allows frequent breaks, extended time, this would not be as big of a problem.