help! i'm puzzled..504? iep? ot/bp/adhd....

[mama]

Absolutely be persistent in getting an IEP. My gfg had a 504 in 8th grade for ADD and then had an IEP at the end of 9th grade for ADD and Emotional Disturbance which is quite a broad classification. You will never regret getting an IEP. We received so much more help once we had an IEP and you have many rights associated with an IEP. Search google and seek help from any knowledgeable source for examples of IEPs so you will be informed of what you can request. Hang in there. I never thought in a million years my gfg would need an IEP (my gfg tested as a gifted child in 4th grade) to survive high school. I resisted special education and help for years and now I realize that some of his special day classes have been the best thing for him and our family.

[StepTo2]

I have to agree here... We have had an IEP of come sort in place for Jett since first grade (the school he was at INSISTED on it, which is odd I know but that's one of the few things they did for him). It's been much improved since. But... We never realized that Onyxx, incredibly bright as she is, might need one too. DH tried verbal agreements with her middle school, which when crunch time came they flat refused to follow, escalating the situation to the point where she spent one night in juvie for assault. The fact of the matter is, emotional issues can and do cause extreme circumstances.

Now we have an IEP for Onyxx as well. Hers is mostly a what-if BIP. She says she actually feels better about problems popping up now because she knows what is supposed to happen.

In some cases, having the child there for the IEP meeting is pointless, and can be more of a distraction than anything else (as in Jett's case). However, if the child is older/more mature/aware of issues, it can be extremely helpful - Onyxx was able to identify some potential problem spots that we didn't think of.

And... Whatever you do... Do NOT let the school talk you out of it. YOU know your child better than they do. It's most likely NOT just a problem with the teacher! (And it also helps in a case where the teacher doesn't know what to do - b/c then they have at least a guide!)

[Sheila]

Just to clear up any confusion, a 504 Plan legally does have to be followed -- it's a Federal law just like IDEA. It takes a lot to get it enforced, however. Many sd personnel have little respect for it.

The primary drawback is that parents are not legally required to be part of the 504 Committee, they are typically written much more loosely than an IEP, and it costs a fortune to litigate the matter in court.

[stillfighting]

I am new to these forums, however I have been struggling with a small school and special ed and 504 for the past 3 yrs. Last year I even hired an attorney, paid my son's therapist to come down and still was rejected the ARD. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My child is 7 and recently dx with AS. We have had ADHD, Conduct Disorder, ODD, and emotional anxiety since he was 3. We attend Rehab, therapy and medicate on our part, but the school just won't budge. The Special Ed teacher actually showed up at my job today with a pamplet for MHMR services and told me to contact them. Her words were, "they can help you more than the school Co-Op can"! I asked about the request for eval. (we had one done on our own) and she said, "No, we will just see how he floats this year." Help Please!!