Looking for advice on IEP plan for 5 year old in TK

[bharuch123]

Hi folks, Our son who is 5, recently got diagnosed with ADHD (we kinda knew it was coming). We have been trying to get him an IEP since he was 3 via early intervention at preschool and now TK has been really challenging for him.

He has been having a very rough time in class controlling his impulses and be seated in his spot etc. His teacher and principal have been wonderful and they have been very supportive so far with strategies and even providing a 1:1 aide for limited time (1 more month). So we re started our IEP assesment and also hired an IEP advocate this time to help.

His key challenges have been inability to sit in spot for long periods of time, sensory seeking issues (constant need to touch things and fidget), getting up and walking around the class, having a hard time finishing the whole task at hand (he also needs to be guided a lot to make sure he doesnt get distracted).

What would you recommend we ask as part of our IEP plan? Any experience with IEP for this age group? Appreciate your help!

[Onthemove1971]

Wouldn't the advocate be the one telling you this? I assume that is one of the reasons you brought that person in is to help you determine this. We can give general accommodations, be they are not one size fits all.

Really the assessments are the foundation for the IEP. Are you having many areas assessed, like Occupational Thearpy(OT), behavior( psychologist) and academics ( usually a special teacher)? I guess I would say start there. Hard to determine what he will need until you discuss areas he needs help in.

Curious what interventions you guys are working on outside school? Thearpy? Medication?

Best of luck

[Azbee]

Ask if these behaviors are age appropriate (prob yes!) ask if other children in the class exhibit the same behavior in the class (prob yes!) and hire a child psychologist or psychiatrist who is willing to sit in and observe your child in class and work with the teacher on a plan. I did not pit my son on meds at this age b/c everything he was doing was age appropriate and exhibited by most of the children in the class.

Many boys are also very immature at this age and holding them back a year is often a great solution. Don’t overlook that option.

This age requires constantly redirecting your child.

Best of luck! ADHD is a journey. But it’s a journey with all kids, ADHD or not. Lucky the rewards outweigh the frustrating moments

[Adhd-mom]

I think it’s great you have an advocate. I remember when my son was in kindergarten (he is now in 11th grade) I had no idea what accommodations to even ask for. And either the school didn’t know either or it was some big secret (like they only did what was asked and nothing more since it cost money).

Asking a kid with ADHD at that age to sit on a spot for a period of time is not a realistic expectation. Remember our kids are 3-5 years behind neurodevelopmentally as compared to their neurotypical peers. They have the ability but the executive functioning (EF) deficits get in the way. Funny - another member mentioned in an earlier reply to consider holding him back a grade- I just had that conversation with my husband last night. If I had known then what I know now, I definitely would have considered this. My sons impulsiveness did decrease tremendously but the EF challenges are tough with academics. And with the 3-5 yr difference, it’s like giving 11 th grade work and projects to a 6-8th grader - when you think of it that way of course school will be tough for our kids.

Anyway back to kindergarten- first make sure the teachers and principal are educated on ADHD. Many times they just don’t know and those that may know something probably are just aware of focus and impulse control. But it’s way more than that. Educate them on EF. Next they should have realistic expectations (ie. Maybe sit on the spot for a shorter period of time and allow a non distracting fidget toy; or instead of wandering around the room tape off a boxed area in the room where he can go when he feels restless and can walk when his brain feels he needs to move around). He needs an outlet for some of his energy. My son did OT once or twice a week where they worked on coordination and did tasks while on a scooter ( he really didn’t have coordination issues - but used this time to use his energy and resulted in a better day in the classroom). Exercise is VERY important- it naturally boosts dopamine in the brain. Maybe if he is having a hard time in class on day you can come up with an exercise he could do that could help re focus him. But without it looking like a punishment ( so not drop down and time me 20 push-ups lol). More like, if the teacher is seeing he is having an especially hard day maybe she can say- hey I need you to go on a special mission- can you skip to the [office, art room, etc] and drop off this note for me and then skip right back. Something to release some energy ( which will in turn increase his dopamine). Of course you will need to come up with something the school agrees with.

When my son was that age the school did not really understand that he was not trying to be difficult- he just could not stay still. They can’t control it. But over time with behavioral modification they will. But in the meantime they shouldn’t be made to feel bad for something they truly can’t control. They used to keep him in from recess if he couldn’t stand still like a soldier when walking in line. It was an impossible task to ask of him at that age. And then to take away recess ( his outlet to get his energy out) made the afternoon a nightmare.

Hopefully some of this will help.

[Nla1 in reply to Adhd-mom]

Love this. You are 💯 on the money with this post! My 6yr old has an IEP and an aid for behavior support who takes him on physical breaks from class, and this is a huge help! ADHD kids are hyper intelligent (by the way) and for us it was never a learning disorder, it’s always been an impulse and attention span issue. He gets the breaks from class that he needs and comes back to class in a more relaxed space. It’s been great to have our aid. He is a young cool guy and my son enjoys him.

At this age they are just beginning to understand themselves - they struggle with self regulation, although we are seeing great improvements!

[MotherOf02]

I would have them do a FBA/BIP just to protect him so they will teach him the necessary skills and not suspend him etc. is he classified under OHI? Have them teach Social Development/Social Skills teaching. My son had to have a smaller class setting because he just couldn’t function in the normal educational setting. He would act out and get so frustrated. And now I believe my son has just given up and hates school.