Need advice before Tuesday - ADD / ADHD Message Board

E?M · 02-12-2005, 10:05 PM

My son has been diagnosed with ADD, currently on medication, and MFE complete...he does not qualify for an IEP or 504 plan...where do we go next to get him the help he needs in the classroom setting??? Very frustrated and in need of educational direction before 2-15-05. Thank you!

index.html · 02-13-2005, 03:20 AM

E?M, it's hard to know how to advise you without knowing more about your son, what type of troubles he is having in school, and what kind of help you would like for him to have.

The best I can suggest without more information is that you do extensive reading on the subject. The fact is that if your son's ADHD is severe enough to negatively impact his learning in the classroom, he DOES qualify for special services despite the fact that he does not qualify as "learning disabled" in reading or math. The federal government has been very specific about ADD as a qualifying condition. Unfortunately, many school districts still try to tell parents that their kids don't qualify unless they have a learning disability or are failing, but it just isn't true.

Section 504 provides for accomodations in the classroom so that a child with a disability (ADHD can qualify) isn't discriminated against. An IEP generally refers to a plan for a child whose disability is severe enough that he requires special education services. And, yes, children can require special education services without a reading or math disability - things like requiring a classroom aide to keep him on task, taking tests in a small group environment, the opportunity to dictate answers, etc - any service that a regular ed teacher cannot provide in a regular classroom setting.

Again, I suggest you arm yourself with as much information as possible. If your son's school is giving you the run-around, you might want to contact the Director of Special Education services for the district.

E?M · 02-13-2005, 12:12 PM

Thank you for your message. My son has been diagnosed ADD, not ADHD. I have read extensively on the matter but I have found that if he is taking medication (which he is), then he does not qualify for a 504 plan. Do you know if this is correct? He is above average intellingence but has difficulty in reading and writing and would greatly benefit from occupational therapy. However, if he does not qualify for speech services, he is unable to receive OT. WHY?? The school is even saying he does not qualify for an IEP. His strength is social studies/history. Any info would help.

index.html · 02-14-2005, 07:05 AM

Whether or not your son is taking medication should not influence whether he qualifies for assistance under Section 504 or IDEA. (It made me laugh that your son's school says taking medicine disqualifies him; I've read other schools try to claim that a child must be *on* medication to qualify). The only possible way that taking meds could disqualify him is if meds elevate his performance to the point that he no longer needs assistance.

I've never heard a district try to stipulate that a child must be in speech therapy to qualify for occupational therapy. Excuse me??? One can't have an impaired ability to use one's hands unless he also can't speak properly? Oh, please (she says with heavy sarcasm). As I suggested earlier, I think you need to contact the director of special ed services for your school district. I would put in writing the request that he be evaluated for OT services. While you're at it, you'd better put your request that he be evaluated for Section 504 in writing, too. The district has a certain amount of time to complete these evaluations as determined at the state level (usually 60 days).

Again, if the school is saying he doesn't qualify for an IEP, they probably mean that he doesn't qualify for special education services. An ADD child may or may not qualify for those services depending on how severely their ADD affects their educational performance.

Section 504 accomodations are those that take place in a regular education classroom. Section 504 is easier to qualify for and, because no additional funds are required, your son's school is less apt to fight you on those accomodations. They would be things like extra time for written assignments, shortened written assignments, the opportunity to dictate answers, not counting off for neatness, etc.

Let me know if you have other questions.

PS. What does "MFE complete" mean?