Meeting with Teacher

[my3texans]

Hi, everyone!! I'm new, but have been reading the board for a month or so, and have found it to be interesting & helpful.

I have a DS-9, who just entered the 4th grade, last Thursday. He was diagnosed ADD, about 10 or 11 months ago. I have a meeting with his teacher Friday to talk about him and class. I have told her he is ADD, & on Strattera 25mg daily.

I have no IEP, and we have done no testing. DS's Dr. gave us a questionaire that I and his 3rd grade teacher filled out, then he looked over it, and prescribed the Strattera.

Do any of you have any suggestions on any specific questions I should ask the teacher? I'm really new at this and want to help my son in every possible way.

Thanx,
Georgia

[Mayleng]

Welcome Georgia,

It depends what issues your son has? Does he need an IEP (Individual Educational Plan)? Is he suffering academically? Is he ADHD (HYPER) or Inattentive? If you feel he needs an IEP, then you should write formally to the school requesting an evaluation and see if an IEP is needed.

With regards to Strattera, it is very weight dependent and needs to be dosed according to weight or it is not effective and in some cases can cause mood issues.

I suggest you checkout the thread "Everything You ever wanted to know about Strattera" on the medication board.

[my3texans]

Last year, he had troubles learning the multiplication tables. It was a real battle, and he barely passed. He also had troubles with sentance structure, i.e. nouns, pronouns, verbs, etc. otherwise, he did fine.

Beyond that, I do need to know how his behavior in class is, in general.

I don't know if an IEP is warranted, as he's never been tested for anything. I have wondered about dyslexia, since when he is tired he has trouble reading. He's slow, and unsure, and has to "test" the sound of B and D with a word beginning with one of those letter.

I have read the thread on Strattera, and have found some great info there. He is on 25 mg, and weighs in around 60lbs.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Thanx, Georgia

[brazos]

You need a 504 right away. In Texas the fastest and best way to protect your kid early is a 504. He will still have to qualify which means if your school is picky he has to have low grades. So if his grades were bad last year you are in luck, if not they can give you the run around.

A 504 will get him extra reminders, behavior modification and most importantly a quiet place to take the TAKS. PM me if you need help.

[Mayleng]

25mgs of strattera is too low for 60lbs, he should be between 32mgs (lowest target dose to 50mgs). How long has he been on strattera? Have you tried the stimulants prior to strattera?

Also, you should request in writing to the school to do an evaluation on him to see if he has any Learning Disabilities and if he qualifies for an IEP. Here's a good site to learn about your rights and how to request the various evaluations.

www.listen-up.org/rights/rights.htm#comp

[my3texans]

Thanx, all for the advice.

Actually, brazos, I live in Alabama, but we are originally from Texas. I have been trying to find some info for our state, but no one seems to make it simple, much less easy.

The meeting with his teacher went well. She said that she mainly noticed that he was "daydreaming"(for lack of a better word) at times. Usually, when she gave the class time to work on things in class, he seemed to not know what to do, how to get started, etc., and kinda just sat there. As for work in general, it was good. Behavior in class was good, also. Of course, we are only in the second week of school, he hasn't learned the teacher or the class.

I asked her to watch and listen as he read, because they were going to start some reading groups, and testing for reading levels, and let me know. I so notice him, "testing" b and d, when he is reading, which is good, he's aware of the difference, yet still has troubles distinguishing them apart.

I get last weeks grades and papers home today. I know he, and I had a misunderstanding about some homework last week, and at least one thing didn't get done. So, I curious to see where his math is at -- this was a weak point last year, because of the multiplication tables.

Thanx, Mayleng, I was wondering about the dosage. He started on strattera in Oct. 04, and has done fine so far. The Dr. didn't put on any other meds before that. At times, we have noticed that the meds seem to "wear off" in the late afternoon or early evening. I did ask the teacher to watch for that, since he is getting older, and has gained weight since last year. If I remember correctly, he is due a checkup next month, so I can address the issue of weight vs. dosage to his Dr.

I attend church with a couple of teachers from the his school district. I can ask them how to start the evaluation process for the state of Alabama, and our district in particular. One of the has a son, that may also be ADD/ADHD, so she may be a great help in that area.

Thanx again for the info,

Georgia

[Mayleng]

Georgia, Ask the doctor to bring him up to the minimum of his target dose (30mgs) and see if you see improvements. The formula for calculating dosage is Weight (lbs) divided by 2.2 multiply by 1.2 = minimum target dose, Weight (lbs) divided by 2.2 multiply by 1.8 = maximum target dose. This can be found with the inserts that comes with the medication which the doctor should have.

Also, all you need to do to request the school to do an evaluation is to write them a letter requesting for it. The site I gave you above have sample letters to help you. They have a certain amount of days to get it done. After the evaluation, they have to give you the results, and then have a meeting with you to discuss the results and if he qualifies for an IEP or a Section 504. If he does not have a learning disabilities, he will not qualify for an IEP under SLD (Specific Learning disability) BUT he should qualify for an IEP under OHI (Other Health Impaired) because of his ADHD impacting his ability to learn. He can also qualify for a 504 for his ADHD.

Here's a sample letter you can find on the site I gave you. It can be found in A Parent's Guide to Special Education and Related Services: Communicating Through Letterwriting

Sample Letter 2: Requesting an Initial Evaluation


Today's Date (include month, day, and year)

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number

Name of Principal or Special Education Administrator
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Principal's or Administrator's name),

I am writing to request that my son/daughter, (child's name), be evaluated for special education services. I am worried that (child's name) is not doing well in school and believe he/she may need special services in order to learn. (Child's name) is in the ( _ ) grade at (name of school). (Teacher's name) is his/her teacher.

Specifically, I am worried because (child's name) does/does not (give a few direct examples of your child's problems at school).

We have tried the following to help (child's name): (If you or the school have done anything extra to help your child, briefly state it here).

I understand that I have to give written permission in order for (child's name) to be evaluated. Before the evaluation begins, I have some questions about the process that I need to have answered (list any questions you may have). I would be happy to talk with you about (child's name). You can send me information or call me during the day at (daytime telephone number). Thank you for your prompt attention to my request.

Sincerely,

Your name

cc: your child's principal (if letter is addressed to an administrator)
your child's teacher(s)


Or here's another example:

Letter to request an initial school evaluation:


Your school Principal
Your School name
street address


Your name
address

Day phone number to contact you

RE: students name, grade level

Date: n/nn/nn

Dear Principal's name,

We are requesting an evaluation for our child, (your child's name and date of birth). We would like the assessment to include testing in (any or all) of the the following areas:

. Educational (for Reading, Writing, Spelling and Math)

. Speech and Language (include: Phonemic Awareness)

. Occupational Therapy

. Psychological evaluation


I understand that I have to give my written permission for these tests to be done. I look forward to meeting with you and signing the proper forms.

I would like these evaluations and Team meeting to be completed before the end of the school year.

Thank you for your prompt consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

sign and print your and spouses name


Here's a link explanation what the various "tests/evaluations" are www.concordspedpac.org/TypesEvals.html

I have personally used the 2nd sample, and it got the Principal's attention in a hurry and my son got the evaluation they refused me when I asked verbally. I have learnt to document EVERYTHING I communicate with the school. If it is not documented it did not happen (remember that).