I writing for the first time, my son is 5 is have been diagnosed with ADHD. I have an IEP meeting coming up but i don't know what is that the school have to provide him with he has behavior problem and can't seat still, he is taking ritalin 5mg twice a day but my concern is with the school he has a 504 in place right now with doesn't provide anything beside extra time " he is in first grade".
thank you.
Jadenm- Welcome to the group. We are here to support you. I would recommend you read the articles on IEP and 504 on the Chadd website they are very good.
Each school district does things a little different but let's see if I can help.
You said he can't sit still? Is that even with medication ? if so, Then I would recommend you speak to the doctor about what they recommend because you should clearly see a difference ( with our son we know the exact time the medication has worn off because of his behavior) in your child if the medication is working. Also are you seeing a child psychiatrist? This is the Specialist that can help you with modifying his medication.
So the major difference between the 504 and the IEP is that with the IEP, goals are written ( and followed by a teacher/specialist) to address areas he is behind or that are impacting his educational process.
Sometimes school will also write a BSP ( Behavior support plan) to describe what the behavior is he is having and how they are going to deal with it.
If you have a meeting, did you sign a paper for them to assess you child? or are you meeting to go over the assessments?
Please talk about your concerns and think about how his educational experience is impacted. Peer interactions, projects, homework... all these are impacted.
Hope this helps to get you thinking. Let me know if I can help after reading this.
Hi Jadenm. I agree with Onthemove, and would also add that IEP is under disability law and therefore has to be implemented and followed, by law, where 504 is under educational and does not have the same "push." Therefore I feel that IEP is preferred.
Besides extra time on homework assignments or tests, you can request things like: preferential seating, testing in a separate room, daily checks of homework completion, there are others I can't quite think of at the moment...sorry. I remember feeling quite befuddled and overwhelmed at my first few IEP meetings and it wasn't until several years later that I hired a consultant to accompany me to the meeting to support me, she was wonderful and made suggestions that I didn't know I could ask for.
Good luck and God bless.
My daughter's IEP was a godsend. She was failing math and getting C's and D's in everything else. She went to a B in math and everything else B's and an A's in one semester. She is in a small classroom for Math. She gets to use music with her headphones, she sits in the front of the classroom, extra time for tests and in a different room, we have the option of extra time for homework (she doesn't know this), Honestly, the school, teachers, counselors special education teachers, all of these people can really be your very best friend. Understand that they are there to help your child. They are really not saying that anything is wrong with your child. They are mandated by law, to provide the services, but be involved, follow up and be a team member with them and it can be great!
Thank you everyone for your support i really appreciate it.
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