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Post by dihicks6 on Sept 16, 2005 7:07:36 GMT -5
Hi, I'm new here, although Mayleng has given me some very good info.
My gson is ADHD and it's gotten worse. He barely passed last year, but is very bright. It's all organization and although I'm going to put into place some organizational tools (color coding, locker shelves, etc.), I'm wondering if anyone here has been able to get a 504 plan for accommodations for an ADHD student? He's 12 and in MS.
Thanks for any input.
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Post by kc4braves on Sept 16, 2005 7:17:21 GMT -5
Hi, We are also in MS and are working on getting a 504 for my 9y/o ds. We haven't completed the process so I can't really help with that. Our district doesn't seem very familiar with 504s but seem agreeable so far. I do know that it has helped me that I can show where teachers have been making accomodations on their own for the last two years. Disorganization has become, I guess, my son's biggest problem as of now and that is why I decided to push for it. I'm sure by the time he is 12 it will be a much worse issue with lockers and different teachers, etc.
Everyone here has said, and they are right, that you need to put a request in writing. I have also found that calling several days a week to follow up doesn't hurt. They may expect you to "prove" to them that he needs the accomodations so be prepared to show them the problems. Just because they see him everyday, doesn't mean they see the whole picture like we do...or that's what I have decided.
Sorry, I can't be of more help. What part of MS are you in?
Kathy
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Post by Mayleng on Sept 16, 2005 7:41:53 GMT -5
Hi dihicks, I am glad to see you here. I know there are couple of kids with 504 plans here, I hope their moms are reading and can share their experience. My son has an IEP as you know, so I don't have much experience with the 504. When I first started on this road, the School Psych sounded relunctant to give my son an IEP but when I mentioned that if he does not get an IEP, then I will be pursuing a 504, she changed her tune and it seems the preference is to give out IEPs rather than 504. At least here in my school district.
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Post by Mayleng on Sept 16, 2005 7:43:19 GMT -5
Kathy, dihicks is in NY State, and I think she means Middle School when she said her grandson was in MS.
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Post by d on Sept 16, 2005 8:15:06 GMT -5
hi dihicks - glad to see you here too (fellow NYer and cmdm from schwab). My dd is on 504 although her 504 is written like an IEP. She has a bunch of accom's like spelling waived, sep location and extended time for tests, use of calculator, preferential seating, etc. I also had a meeting with all her teacher and principal before school started this year - it was a what do you need to know about my dd to teach her and what to look out for. They also scheduled math and science, her weaker subjects in the morning when she is sharper. Also, her teachers were hand selected. I don't think they wanted to put those in writing but did do them. She was also supposed to have the same teacher for general and supportive math - that worked well last year but didn't happen this year b/c they gave her resource room every day instead of every other day. Supportive math isn't considered sp ed services. For services, she has resource room. She also has goals on organization, study/testing and math (which I believe are not supposed to be on a 504 but far be it for me to point this out to my illegal stupid school district). I've been told that I should consider myself lucky ( ) bc she is the only kid in our district on 504 with RR. Ironically, when I made a stink last year for her to be re-classed (previously she was on IEP under Other Health Impaired) they told me she wouldn't be eligible bc she was getting RR every other day and it must be daily to be on IEP. That's the whole irony of her having RR every day this year on 504 - can't figure out how that happened - they forgot, scheduling, etc. Anyway, there is nothing that says you can't get services on 504 although many districts have interesting interpretations of 504 law. I'm sensing a challenge here for you dihicks that I know you're up to... ;D Last year, my dealings with the school were difficult and that is a polite way of saying it. I had plenty of back up in my corner to get her this stuff - it was like playing chess with a bunch of liars. By the end of last school year when dd started turning the corner we were back to playing very very nice again. Ugghh I am so bitter sometimes - now off to a meeting with the school. You know all too well - got to be on top of this stuff. End result is I need a happy confident well adusted kid who can experience academic success - what the school feels about me is completely irrelevant.
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Post by cosmos61 on Sept 16, 2005 9:15:06 GMT -5
I'm going to try to get a 504 plan this year for mine. He has a wonderful teacher this year. I wish I could clone her and have her till he graduates. I mentioned 504 to her last night at a school meeting for all parents. She was thinking 504 already for him and is going to look into it for me. Her one comment was - him being on medication already might help the matter. He has to accomplish a certain level on the FCAT to pass this year (FLorida). I know he's never completed an FCAT before. She wants to get a 504 plan in place that will allow him more time to complete the test. He's an A/B student so I run into that mentality alot that says he's fine. His guidance counselor last year told me I needed to lower my expectations of him. I'm going to give the teacher a shot at it first before I go in. I can't help but think the teacher has a better chance at this than I do.
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Post by d on Sept 16, 2005 10:12:19 GMT -5
He has a wonderful teacher this year. I wish I could clone her and have her till he graduates. His guidance counselor last year told me I needed to lower my expectations of him. A great teacher that "gets it" is *priceless*. Teachers like that are invaluable - sometimes I don't think that they even understand the magnitude of their impact on certain kids, they just think they are doing their job. OTOH, that guidance counselor should be fired or at minimum moved to a job with zero contact/interaction with any of the kids and parents (but not the special ed dept either ;D). School custodian would be appropriate but that's an insult to all custodians. What a
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Post by dihicks6 on Sept 16, 2005 10:38:44 GMT -5
Thank you for all your replies. I rec'd an email from the sped dir. (I asked her first about a 504), and she said he definitely qualifies because of his ADHD (that, and they don't want to do the dance with me again!).
My concern is that I'm not sure what type of accommodations to ask for. He surely needs to get organized, but for him, that takes extra time and the realization that he needs to slow down. We tried increasing his meds from Concerta 36 m-timed release, to 56 m, but he had a three-day headache, and he already suffers from some severe migraines (without meds) and epilepsy is very predominant on his dad's side (dad, grandma, great-grandma), so I was afraid to continue the higher dosage. I am going to call his dr. back and see what he suggests. We did try medadate(sp?) first, but had major side effects from that.
Any suggestions for specific accommodations? Thanks!
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Post by Mayleng on Sept 16, 2005 12:02:00 GMT -5
dihicks, What is he not doing organization-wise? Not bringing home homework, assignments, not submitting his homework and assignments etc? What type of specific problem is he encountering?
With regards to the meds, maybe you could give Focalin XR a try. Concerta did nothing for my ds but gave him side effects.
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Post by d on Sept 16, 2005 13:59:42 GMT -5
ADHD is typically an output/performance (e.g., demonstrating the knowledge) issue so make a comprehensive list of all of his trouble areas. Break it down as best you can. Then you could have suggestions for each item as the basis for what to ask for. If you post them, one of us should have experience with the particular challenge - and there is a ton in books and on web sites too.
Also, if you know of any positive things done for him informally in the past, that should be considered for including on the list.
My dd doesn't get headaches from Concerta normally. The *only* time she does is the first few days of dose adjustment. I've resigned myself to it.
If Concerta has worked fairly well for him and you reconsider another try, you could go for 45 mg (a 27 + 18 = 2 insurance co-pays though). We've done that for the past few years instead of going to 54 b/c weight was a concern for her. We're now ready for 54 bc 45 doesn't seem to be as effective as it used to be.
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Post by d on Sept 16, 2005 14:15:16 GMT -5
oh forgot - food for thought - ideally in fantastically school situations that really don't exist - you may want to consider getting organization/study skills specifically taught to him depending on how bad he's doing
But, then you're in the is it IEP or 504, does the school even *get it*and would they know how to do it if they did "get it" (very very few know how to explicitly teach organization and study skills but none would admit they can't because the normal response is "we teach study/organization skill to *all* out students"), demonstrating that he qualifies for IEP, why those organization/study skills need to be explicitly taught to him and the whole sp ed committee qualification "dance".
d, who should really calm down and chill out today
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Post by kc4braves on Sept 16, 2005 14:22:40 GMT -5
Sorry. Just saw the MS and thought of the state. It figures...I'm probably the only one from MS on here. lol Good luck anyway. Kathy
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Post by Mayleng on Sept 16, 2005 14:36:35 GMT -5
Our Elementary School actually has a study skills program but the kids have to be referred by their teacher (does not have to have an IEP to get in) to get into the program. The MS though, actually have a 10 week Organization/Study skills course for ALL their 7th graders and it also teaches them Test Taking skills. I hear this is one of a very few schools that actually have this type of program. It has been very helpful to alot of the kids. The MS here makes it a big point to teach the kids these very important skills as they feel this is what is needed in High School and College. I think all the schools in the country should institue this as a requirement.
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Post by jwm on Sept 16, 2005 17:43:28 GMT -5
Hi my son has a 504 plan in place. HIs 4th grade teacher was great, she really watched and did an outstanding job. My son (now 11 in 6th grade) is inattentive ADHD. Some of the key points on his 504 are : SEATING- needs to be near the board (wears glasses in class)
TESTING- no timed tests in math, he cant do "mental math" he is a visual learner so he needs scrap paper at all times
WAIT TIME- He can get the answers to questions but he needs extra time to answer because he takes time to gather his thoughts
NOTE TAKING- He needs a notebook to write down all homework assignments, he does very well with written reminders and instructions.
ONE TASK - Needs to perform one task at a time.
Ok you get the point. His school actually told us to get a 504 plan since it is very important especially in the middle school and high school. This year is his first year in middle school and I can see that the plan is being followed by his teacher.
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Post by dihicks6 on Sept 16, 2005 20:29:04 GMT -5
Thanks again for all your replies. Mayleng, he is sooo disorganized. He forgets even the smallest things, pencils, permission slips. He cannot manage to have the things he needs with him -- it's always "I forgot it in my locker", or "I can't find it". 7th grade is a real transition for him because the classes he has to attend are now in two wings instead of one hallway. He does have a study hall near the end of the day which has been a lifesaver as he does (or says he does, I haven't checked yet) his homework. He'll wait till the last minute for big projects, because he's lost the sheet that tells him how to approach it, he'll lose homework between home and school. The teachers say he's disruptive during class, says the answers without raising his hand, etc.
I might try the Concerta at 45 m, but he's very prone to migraines and epilepsy runs very heavily on his dad's side -- many family members have it. So far, he's only been dx'd with ADHD. I know he's a smart kid -- he was talking about how many billions of people lived in China and how lasers work at four years old. He also has problems reading. He can do it, but it's slow going. I doubt if he's on a 7th grade reading level. So these are all things I will need to bring up. The school is very familiar with me because of my LD dd, so they know I will come prepared -- it's a matter if they will be prepared. Thanks again.
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Post by Mayleng on Sept 16, 2005 20:56:14 GMT -5
dhicks, I guess one of the main things in his 504 is to get a teacher assigned to go thru' the lists of things he needs to bring home etc. each day, to make sure he has an agenda and that he writes down all homework, long term assignments, tests - due dates etc. This is how it is done in our MS here, and the parents go thru' the agenda (which is provided by the school - they start this at elementary level) each day so they know what the kids need to do and when they should get their assignment in.
If you suspect reading problems, then maybe an IEP might be better, unless you don't think he needs remediation to bring him up to grade level.
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Post by jwm on Sept 17, 2005 7:53:10 GMT -5
hi my son will forget his name if I dont remind him what it is LOL! We use tons of yellow post-it notes, we stick them on his folder to remind him to give his teacher notes, he sticks them right on hs homework papers with directions so he doesnt forget, I will even stick them on his bureau so in the morning he will remember things. It may sound crazy, but it has been working. Getting organized was one of the bigger challenges we had. YOu are doing a great job, hang in there..
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Post by dihicks6 on Sept 21, 2005 16:40:55 GMT -5
Talked to his dr. Mentioned the Focalin and she said that she wants to try the increased dosage again (we tried it about 6-7 months ago) and if that doesn't work, she will have enough ammo for the #$#%# insurance company so that they can switch meds -- at my gson's expense!!! Anyway, have a meeting at school on Monday. I'm leaning more towards asking for an educational evaluation because I'm positive his reading is not on grade level. Had him tutored this summer. I just want to make sure we shouldn't be looking at an IEP. I truly hope the side effects won't be that 3-day headache again. I feel terrible for even having to give it to him. I also think he's managed to cope and now in 7th grade, he has 7 different teachers instead of 2 and he just can't do it anymore. Thanks for all your advice.
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