My 8 yr old has ADHD and was evaluated by a psychiatrist in 2008. She is in 2nd grade this year and I FINALLY got some accommodations for her (teacher and I agreed no IEP). I showed the teacher a list of my daughters main problems and she and I came up with somethings that might help. That was about 2 weeks ago.
Yesterday, I went in because my daughter left something at school and the teacher told me that she does not think that the accommodations are necessary any more. She thinks that my daughter is putting it on. She said that my daughter does not act like the "normal" child with ADHD. However, she was evaluated by a psychiatrist. I did not wake up one day and say, "I think I will say CJ has ADHD today".
The teacher agreed and said she sees certain "problems" in my daughter at our last meeting. Such as focus, concentration, organization etc. How can she agree with me and then two weeks later say she is putting it on? I personally think it has to do with the principle. He has been a thorn in my side for the last two years.
He says my daughter does not need the extra help and he will not talk to me. He said it is not his department. Understandable, But he sure interfears alot for something that does not concern him. He guides the hands of my daughter's teachers. I know this for sure because the teachers have told me things and he continues to call me about things concerning CJ and her ADHD.
Within the last 2 years we have made amazing stides. She was and still is figity and hyper but she has begun to learn appropriate behavior. But, she still needs the extra help.
I don't know what to do now.
Should I just let it go or keep fighting? I don't know what to do now! She is not failing so any IEP would be near impossiable to get (so I was told by her psycologist).
The school does have a report from the psychiatrist and it is in her record.
She really only needs help with remembering, organization and concentration.
I have decided to write a formal letter to the school and ask for CJ to be evaluated. I understand now that they are not willing to help and I have to do everything in my power to make this right for my daughter. The school may see no need for extra help, but I see my daughter coming home depressed becuase she can not keep up with the lesson, get things organized and calling herself stupid. I want to get a hold on this now so she will be able to succeed in the future.
My sons principal is the same way. My son has asbergers (very mild) and he is always saying things like that. I finally went to the superindendent of the school district and expressed my concerns with this principal. It has improved and thankfully this is my sons last year there.
i would go to the school board over this matter and sounds like she needs a wrap-a-round.
good luck T.
This has got to be super frustrating! Do you think you could ask your pediatrician for some guidance? Maybe without an IEP, it's difficult to get in school services. I know there are SO many kids vying for SO little services in school. But since she has had a formal diagnosis, I would think they need to provide some. They may want to have her evaluated by their doctors? Not sure, that's why I would start with my pediatrician for guidance. I'm sure a LOT of moms on this site will have awesome, more informative ideas/facts than I do.
I am bipolar and the meds don't seem to do what they are suppose to for me. I got phycology books the most helpful one was "mapping the mind" i can't remember who it was by though and books on bipolar disorder to help me realize why i do and think the things i do that could be helpful too you guys. also see if you can find a phycologist that will explain things to you. i learned so much about my disorder by doing a drug trial because the doctor took the time to explain and teach me about the problems. you may also want to get a writen thing form a doctor or the phycologist to take to the school, alot of people do just say their unruley kids have ADHD so it has become a concern. If they still treat her unfairly you may need to talk to the school board or some one higher than the pricipal.
Please don't take this the wrong way - I have not been through what you have been through personally BUT - If you have only taken your daughter to ONE psycologist - maybe you should get a second opinion. My child does not have ADHD but I work with many children who do and they usually don't "learn how to deal with it" at the age you are talking about. Pre teens sometimes learn to cope but it's not usually until they are in their teens that children fully understand how to "control it" for lack of a better explaination. I could be totally off base on this one - again I don't know YOUR daughther - but wouldn't it be nice to get a second opinion and find out she doesn't have ADHD???
Your child may or may not be eligible for an IEP if she is not failing but probably more appropriately, she is eligible for a Section 504 plan. Sometimes a psychiatrist is not the most thorough diagnostician when it comes to ADHD (its a neurological, not psychological condition) and you may want to seek an evaluation by a neuropsycholgoist, preferably one that is also certified in school psychology. That way, there is some legal standing behind his/her recommedations.
The fact that your teacher made such a turn around in the last 2 weeeks probably speaks to the positive effect those accommodations were having on your daughter. I would fight for those things and state that her attitude change is 'data' in support of what was in place. It is ashame that these antiquated ideas about ADHD still exist among the people caring for our children 6 hours a day. Yikes!
It sounds like you're in a bit of a stick situation from an educational standpoint. I am an elementary school teacher and I've dealt with many children with ADHD, both with and without formal diagnosis and IEP's. Since your daughter is doing well and making progress, I agree that an IEP may not be necessary. However, if you are having trouble getting the teacher to cooperate or implement the accommodations, then getting an IEP or 504 plan may be your only way to go. I would strongly suggest you seek out the special education coordinator for your grade/school/district and ask for a meeting to discuss your options. With a current diagnosis from the psychologist, you already have a reason for the school to do their own evaluations. In my experience, students do NOT need to be failing to receive an IEP. It is a federal law from the persons with disabilities act to "level the playing field" for all learners and allow kids to be successful. If you decide to go through with testing and your daughter does qualify for the IEP, that does not mean she will have to have special education services, only that the teacher will be legally required to implement the same accommodations you already discussed (or whatever is currently relevant to your daughter's learning.) A 504 plan is a little different legally, but it works basically the same way for parents and students. You discuss a learning plan with your child's teacher and other on necessary school staff and create a plan. The teacher has to implement the plan you both sign off on and you get regular progress updates with report cards and at conferences. Both the 504 and IEP are re-written each year as your child's needs change.
Best of luck to you and your daughter!
Hi S.,
I work in an elementary school. I help with the learning support children there, so I have learned quite a bit about IEP's. The principal is half right. It is not his department, but she still is one of his students and he should be an advocate for her and get her the special help she needs. You will want to contact the head of the special education department. Even though her grades are fine, if she has been medically diagnosed with ADHD she is eligible to have an IEP. The special ed department are the ones that oks the student to get the extra help they need. We have several students that are doing ok academically but have IEPs because of adhd or other medical reasons. To me it seems like your daughter's school is just not wanting to deal with all the red tape they have to do when a student has an IEP.
Hope this gives you some info to work with.
L.
Hi, S.:
There is an organization that advocates for ADHD.
It is called CHADD.
See if they have any local chapters in your area. Talk to them. They may know the school system your child is part of.
Hope this helps. D.
It is important that your daughter see that you are willing to fight for her rights. She needs to know you're on her side. It's the law for the school to accommodate your child, but they're not always cooperative about it. When adolescence hits, things change again and she will have more struggles with her ADHD. Is it exhausting? Absolutely...but you owe it to your daughter to give it your all. Don't let the school talk you out of it. (And yes...I speak from experience as the mom of an ADHD (primarily inattentive) teen).
Good luck!
I am employed in special services, and it sounds like your child would greatly benefit from a 504 plan. This will legally document what accomodations need to be in place for her based upon her medical diagnosis. The teacher will then be REQUIRED to follow the accomodations that are spelled out in the plan. Write a letter to your principal as well as the director of special services requesting a meeting to discuss your concerns about your daughter. They will legally have to meet with you and hear your concerns!
Good luck!
I would be very suspicious if one of my children's teacher's discussed a plan with me for my child, then two weeks later changed their mind. If you really think it is the principal, then I would go to the superintendent of schools for your district and talk to him/her directly. Your child is entitled to a little extra help, and if the school is being uncooperative, you need to go over their heads and get your daughter the help she needs. Also, it may help to go back to the psychiatrist who diagnosed her and see if he/she has any input. Perhaps he has dealt with this kind of situation before and may have some suggestions?
Best of luck!
You need to speak to a special education specialist about your daughter's education. With a formal identificatoin from the psych. as having ADHD I believe your daughter is entitled to services under the "other health impaired" category of either an IEP or 504 plan. If academics are not a particular concern a 504 plan may be more appropriate - I'm not exactly sure since (as a special ed. teacher) I have usually only worked with students who have IEP's. You should know though, that I have had plenty of students who don't need many accommodations for academic kinds of reasons but more the things you've mentioned (organization, increasing attention, etc.). If you see these kinds of things as a hindurance to your daughter's success (now or in the future...think about as she gets older)you are absolutely appropriate for wanting to address it now - screw the principal. Speaking from experience, they don't always know what they're talking about especially in regards to special ed. (unless they have a special education background). The director of special ed. would probably be my next contact.
I can see that you are really frustrated with this situation. I am shocked to hear the problems you are having with the principle of the school. The school that my daughter goes to is very involved in helping all the student have a very positive school experience. The principle is involved in these kinds of issues, at least at our school. The only thing I have to offer you is that IEP is available no matter what your daughter's grades are.
My daughter, who is now in 4th grade, is an excellent student, academically. She gets A's and B's on her report cards. Last year, I contacted the school about a speech problem I was noticing. They did the evaluation. They noticed some other issues that falls within Asperger's Syndrome and placed her in an IEP program where she stays in the regular class and meets with one of the IEP teachers once a cycle to work on her other issues, some of which you mentioned that your daughter has problems with...remembering, organization, concentration, impressions, priorities, etc. She was placed in this program even before she was diagnosed with a mild case of Asperger's Syndrome. The program is helping her learn how to get a handle on her issues.
Good Luck and keep at it until you get the help that you feel that your daughter needs.
I think the biggest issue here is the teacher and/or the principal are generalizing your daughter's problem instead of focusing on the certain aspects you mention, such as remembering, organization, and concentration. They don't have to believe she has ADHD, but they do need to respect your request (because in my opinion, it seems pretty reasonable) to help her learn how to do these things. Obviously, the teacher can't spend more time with her than others during class, but small things like signals and words can help a lot.
"Focus" can be all that's needed sometimes if the teacher notices her daydreaming. Also, it's very important for you as the parent to reinforce what she's working on in school, and maybe a simple, at home reward system will help with things. KIds respond to praise, and maybe she will be more inclined to focus and remember things if she knows she will get a sticker or an extra story at bedtime, or whatever SMALL thing will work for her. I say small because gifts and things like that tend to get out of control and send the wrong message to the child. Again, just my opinion!!
If she is doing well in school, that's terrific! Hopefully she is using the skills she's learning and applying herself. If the real issue here is that you're upset because you feel the teacher blew your concerns off but CJ is doing well, I don't know how much more you can do. Document your concerns and keep an open line of communication with her teacher may be all you can do. Maybe there are other moms with more experience there. Good luck!
My suggestion...don't let it go!!! You are your child's only advocate and you need to do what you feel is right. Don't let her struggle in school because the teacher and/or principal don't want to deal with it.
My son is 16 (today!) and he has ADHD. He was diagnosed in 1st grade and has been on concerta ever since. He also has a 504 Plan in place. It is a step down from an IEP but has specific accommodations you would like done for your child (ie quiet location to take tests). You need to ask for to have a 504 Plan put in place. Have you spoken to the guidance counselor? If the principal is giving you a hard time then go above the principal and talk to someone. Yes, it may make the principal upset but you have to do what you think is right for your daughter. Nobody else is going to look out for her but YOU.
I have had to follow through with teachers through the years with my son and remind them about his 504 and that they need to adhere to it. He is in 10th grade now and I recently had to talk to the guidance counselor and email the teachers and remind them of his 504 Plan (which we had revised at the beginning of the school year).
I was told that a child needs to have some kind of disability to get an IEP so we ended up getting the 504 Plan. Look into it and again go above the principal if he is not willing to do anything. You know your child and you know what she needs. She may be doing okay right now but that might not last and having a plan in place will make teachers accountable.
Good luck!
Does your daughter have ADHD or ADD? ADHD has hyperactivity and ADD does not. They split these up as they are different. I agree with the split because my now 22 year old had ADHD with the hyperactivity, where my 14 year old has ADD, with no hyperactivity. They really are two different issues. It sounds like your daughter has a mild case of ADD. I think all that is needed is being kept in contact with the teacher and coming up with ideas together on how to keep herself organized and on task. If the teacher sees that she's doing well then take a step back for a week or two and see what happens. The best thing for a child is to help them learn how to manage tasks on their own, with minimal guidance. If you can get this to happen before puberty sets in you'll be a step ahead of the hormonal BS you'll have to deal with on top of things.
Doesn't sound like she needs any big things for help. If her grades are fine then I wouldn't stress and press for more than what she needs. With that said, if the principal calls to discuss things you need to ask him flat out, is is on board fully which means you can call and he will be involved 100%, or is it not something he deals with. If it's the latter, then you need to tell him that you will not discuss your daughter with him anymore. He can't have it both ways and be in the middle. You will only deal with the teacher and the school nurse/counselor. Do remember, that your child has a right to be tested at the school and to have an IEP no matter if her grades are up or not. Make sure you give a complete copy of your daughter's psych eval and diagnosis to the office and insist it be put into your daughter's records. Then check with the school board on what the principal, teacher and school are required and not required to do so you know where you stand in the future.
At this point, it sounds like your daughter needs minimal intervention and between you and the teacher you can come up with a few simple things to help keep your daughter organized and on task. That's all.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
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