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Post by psm9958 on Nov 13, 2003 7:23:43 GMT -5
now I am confused after reading the previous post regarding the 504.
I guess I may be jumping the gun, I have a meeting tonite to "determine eligibility for services as a child with a disability". My son was diagnosed with ADHD combined type from a private tester and then he had another one from the school.
Here I was thinking that I was going into "plan" either an IEP or 504, but was told by another mom who is at the same school with similar situation to not settle for an IEP. She said it is harder to get the school to follow a 504 as opposed to IEP. The IDEA97 602 definitions states a "child with a disability with "other health impairments" (which includes ADHD) and who by reason therefore needs special education and related services." I don't see anywhere it says to what extent they have to be to be considered. I did find on the wrightslaw website a Joint Policy Memorandum- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative services Part B:
... thus children with ADD should be classified as eligible for services under the "other health impaired" category in instances where the ADD is a chronic or acute health problem that results in limited alertness, which adversly affects educational performance. Is this the angle the school will hit me with??
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 13, 2003 9:01:41 GMT -5
psm9958, I am a little confused by your question. Are you asking which is better a 504 or an IEP? You can get a IEP for an ADHD child under Other Health Impaired if it is found that his ADHD symptoms is affecting his learning. You can get an IEP if your child has a Learning Disability as well as ADHD. You can get a 504 for an ADHD child who needs accomodations only (not necesarily Resource Room help). The 504 is a very strong "instrument" too, because any violation of the 504 is a Civil Rights Issue and you have the backing of the Office of Civil Rights. Which "service" are you looking to ask for ie. IEP or 504? Have your child been evaluated to see if he has any LDs? If you haven't I would suggest you request for one in writing, and this will tell you if your child has any LDs or if the ADHD was interferring? Without much background I don't know what to tell you. If you want further advice info I would direct you to www.schwablearning.or/message_boards/index.asp? it is the best site for questions on IEP, Sped advice etc. The moms there are extremely knowledgeable. Tell them Mayleng sent you. You will get lots of responses. I am there when I am not here. By the way, generally the schools would rather classify a child under an IEP because they get funds for it, under a 504 they don't get any funds. |
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Post by psm9958 on Nov 13, 2003 11:03:55 GMT -5
Who would test him for other LD?
I guess it is not a question of which is better, but which one is he entitled to. I'm sure the "team" decides this, but I don't want to get screwed
He is a J17 yr old Soph in high school, ( 1/4 credit short)and performing at an 8th grade math level. He is a below average in his reading skills. the Independent evaluator stated "currently performing at or below his estimated ability level, which was found to be within the average range of functioning. However, given the diagnosis of ADHD levels may be underestimated at this time." The school evaluator essentially said same thing; demonstrating overall intellectual functioning within average range.
the school hinted awhile ago that his low grades could possibly be due to absence and not ADHD. He was suspended quite a few times last year, and cut. This aspect is better this year now that he is medicated ( and we are still playing with that) I say the absenteeism was a manifestation of ADHD
I need issues addressed such as tardiness and absenteeism not effecting his grade.
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 13, 2003 11:11:29 GMT -5
Who would test him for other LD? I guess it is not a question of which is better, but which one is he entitled to. I'm sure the "team" decides this, but I don't want to get screwed He is a J17 yr old Soph in high school, ( 1/4 credit short)and performing at an 8th grade math level. He is a below average in his reading skills. the Independent evaluator stated "currently performing at or below his estimated ability level, which was found to be within the average range of functioning. However, given the diagnosis of ADHD levels may be underestimated at this time." The school evaluator essentially said same thing; demonstrating overall intellectual functioning within average range. the school hinted awhile ago that his low grades could possibly be due to absence and not ADHD. He was suspended quite a few times last year, and cut. This aspect is better this year now that he is medicated ( and we are still playing with that) I say the absenteeism was a manifestation of ADHD I need issues addressed such as tardiness and absenteeism not effecting his grade. The school would be the ones testing for LDs. But from your post I gather that the "school evaluator" did do an academic and Cognitive Evaluation??. Did he share the results with you? Did you have to sign a permission form for the to do the testing? If he is below grade level, then I guess I would go for the IEP and get him Resource Room help to bring him up to his grade level. I would also add in the IEP that tardiness etc should not impact his grade. If he could get an IEP under OHI, it would still be the same as getting an IEP for Specific Learning Disabilities. But since you mentioned that his reading level is below grade, do you have concerns that there is an underlying LD? |
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Post by psm9958 on Nov 13, 2003 12:02:41 GMT -5
HIS COGNITIVE EVAL:
demonstrated overall intellectual functioning within average range. his overall score on the memory index reflected functioning that is close to impaired range. although his overall profile suggests functioning within average range he may have difficulty in tasks that require a strong fund of previsously stored knowledge and complex verbal reasoning and analysis skills.
for educational skill development:
in summary his overall comprehension is strong but may need extra time to complete reading assignments and respond to questions because his knowledge of vocabulary and reading fluency skills are weak.
so his weakness are noted in vocabulary, math reasoning and reading fluency skills
IEP under OHI?? sorry not up on all terms
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 13, 2003 12:09:55 GMT -5
HIS COGNITIVE EVAL: demonstrated overall intellectual functioning within average range. his overall score on the memory index reflected functioning that is close to impaired range. although his overall profile suggests functioning within average range he may have difficulty in tasks that require a strong fund of previsously stored knowledge and complex verbal reasoning and analysis skills. for educational skill development: in summary his overall comprehension is strong but may need extra time to complete reading assignments and respond to questions because his knowledge of vocabulary and reading fluency skills are weak. so his weakness are noted in vocabulary, math reasoning and reading fluency skills IEP under OHI?? sorry not up on all terms IEP under OHI is under Other Health Impaired. This is when they cannot find a Learning Disability but his ADHD is impacting his ability to Learn. Add extra time for taking tests in his IEP and also in a separate quiet environment (if you think this will help). Do you have Tests scores and the name of the tests they did? If you do, go to www.Schwarblearning.org/message_boards/index.asp? and post the tests scores and ask them if the moms there can tell you if there is any LDs that they can see. Give the Standard Scores and not grade equivalents and also the name of the tests and subtests. If the Schools have done the evaluations they should have given you the tests scores not just their remarks. |
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 13, 2003 13:47:57 GMT -5
psm9958, I saw your post on schwab I am hoping that my friend Gina (the School Psych) comes online today. She normally checks after school in the afternoon. I have posted your background into on your thread there so hopefully, you will get some response. I Have also left a message for Gina to check on your post. Good Luck.
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