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Post by packmama3 on Nov 6, 2005 19:01:56 GMT -5
Hi everyone, Could someone explain to me the difference between a Section 504 plan, (which my son is eligible for) and IDEA? Is there a reason why dysgraphia isn't eligible under IDEA? Do the kids still get an IEP with a 504 plan? I think I read he will be allowed to use a word processor or something similar, but it sounds like we would have to purchase it?? Thanks!!
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 7, 2005 9:04:36 GMT -5
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Post by d on Nov 7, 2005 9:10:46 GMT -5
It's a shame that I saw this one too late. Last night the hosted talk at nethaven was an IDEA vs 504 discussion by the *fabulous* Gina.
My nethaven link wasn't working yesterday or this morning. Hey Marge were there problems?
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 7, 2005 12:19:43 GMT -5
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Post by packmama3 on Nov 7, 2005 16:05:54 GMT -5
Thanks! I will check out the links in a bit. If later on, his dysgraphia and ADHD are interfering with his grades, (I'm assuming that is the reason he's only getting the 504) will they have to re-eval him to be eligible for IDEA? Or can they just change the paperwork? It's probably not that simple, is it?? This special education stuff is lots of fun.
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 7, 2005 16:20:32 GMT -5
Was he evaluated by the school?
He can have an IEP under Other Health Impaired (OHI) if his ADHD is interfering with his learning, OT for his dysgraphia can be given then, OT is support service.
What grade is your son in? What are his struggles? Did the school reject giving him an IEP after they did an eval? What types of evals did they do?
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Post by packmama3 on Nov 7, 2005 17:06:39 GMT -5
Was he evaluated by the school? ~He was eval'ed for LD's by the school, and the paperwork states that he does not need specially designed instruction BUT he has a visual-motor integration problem (dysgraphia?) ~Last week, he was evaluated at our children's hospital and he was diagnosed borderline/mild AD(H?)D and anxiety. So this is not on the school's paperwork... What grade is your son in? ~2nd grade What are his struggles? Handwriting and written expression, very forgetful and distractible, sometimes gets silly. Did the school reject giving him an IEP after they did an eval? Yes, but he is getting a 504 plan. They were aware of the attention issues and recommended some accommodations for that, assuming that he was ADHD. The actual meeting isn't scheduled for another week. What types of evals did they do? WISC-IV, (100 total IQ, processing speed of 78 brought it down to a 90) Woodcock Johnson III written lang. and math, language arts assessment, and Connors. Last year they tested him for the writing difficulty with a visual motor integration test, which indicated that his visual motor skills are on a low performance level. Visual perception was high performance level. He is getting OT already. I just hope the 504 is enough.
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 7, 2005 18:03:57 GMT -5
If he has a problem with written expression, then that is not going to improve without remediation. In fact, written expression is one of the LDs that is in the IDEA. Go to www.schwablearning.org/message_boards/index.asp?r=281&pg=1&sortBy=dDate#q1and post the results of the eval there (including all subtests). There are a few school psychs there and also SharonF who is very good at reading the evals and can help you figure out what you need to do.
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Post by kc4braves on Nov 9, 2005 10:02:47 GMT -5
"What are his struggles? Handwriting and written expression, very forgetful and distractible, sometimes gets silly. "
You just described my 4th grade ds. Except he gets really silly often! I really don't have alot to add except that I'd love to hear how things work out for you. We just got a 504...not sure it's helping him much. We are moving next week to another state so I have not been able to get an OT eval for disgrahia. I hope to get that soon after we arrive and I hope we can settle into a routine that will benefit him. He is not doing so well right now but I think alot of it is the upcoming move and daddy not being here.( He moved ahead of us.)
I thought if a child had a disgraphia dx and needed a word processor that he would qulaify for Sp Ed and that the school would pay for it. What are the conditions under which that would be the case?
Hope you get it all worked out and your son does great.
Kathy
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Post by 2ndgenadhd on Nov 9, 2005 16:06:44 GMT -5
We started the process for my youngest when she almost failed 3rd grade. None of the progress reports and talks with the teacher led us to believe she had a problem, then the 2nd to last report card came and it was an F...I immediately contacted the school to set up a meeting.
If that school put as much effort in teaching special needs children as they spent fighting parents over it, they would be an award winning school putting geniuses out in the world.
I've had to start the process each and every year, because it seems to be i the rule books that everyone at the school ignore the 504 plan form the previous year.
Fortunately, my daughter seesm to be on the best medication combination and is doing well. In 9th grade she is studying International Baccalaureat Middle Years Program, and is currently enrolled in 2 courses at the junior college. As long as she is kept challenged,things get. She also has set a goal for herself to have her GE AA before she graduates high school.
What ever you do, don't let them tell you ADD or ADHD doesn't qualify for a 504 plan. If you have to contact special schools for ADD / ADHD studnets, they normally have someone on staff who is a parents right activist who will supply you with the handbook on how to make the schools do what they are legally responsible for...teaching!
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Post by packmama3 on Nov 10, 2005 17:21:41 GMT -5
Okay, talked to the school today and I'm told we can review the need for special services (resource room) at the meeting. I'm honestly not sure if I want to put him in special classes yet, as his grades are good, it's just that his written expression needs work. If I have him in a pull-out class, then he'll miss what they're doing in his class.. I'm pretty sure he's getting the 504 for the ADHD and the dysgraphia.
I just want the option of more services if/when they are needed, and to not have to go thru more testing then. KWIM?
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 14, 2005 17:07:44 GMT -5
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