504 process at a new school

[MamaB2Four]

504 Process at new school - I have 2 kiddos with 504/ADHD. We moved districts and I provided the 504 from previous schools. The elementary was super cooperative and got me a meeting to establish 504 accommodations. The middle school is like he has missing grades so we can’t see where to help him. No attempt at setting up a meeting or hurry to help him?! He’s missing football games because he’s failing and wants to come home daily cuz he can’t catch up. How can I step in here?

[RockerMama]

Hi MamaB2Four, I have a son who is now in high school with ADHD and ODD. He was on a 504 plan up until he started high school.

There was a significant change we experienced from elementary to middle school with the school and it was really rough. Our experience was it very much seemed like the school took a real hands off approach to helping these kids be successful, like we'd experienced in elementary. And even the things that were part of the 504 plan, such as checking in with him about assignments, etc. they wouldn't follow. When it really comes down to it, the school does not receive any additional funding to support kids on a 504 plan, like they for a child with an EAP. So, they have to spread their resources thinner with no compensation. Sadly, that can mean they don't want to proactively offer anything that would help your child be successful. This might not be the case for all schools/districts, but was certainly our experience in ours.

A couple things that worked for us were being proactive on our part about meetings and communication. We knew when his plan would need to be renewed and didn't wait for his social worker in middle school to reach out...because to be honest - sadly she wouldn't on her own. We also had been counseled very early on by our pediatrician, like when my son was 6 years old, to have an ally such as through an ADHD advocate. They have student/parent advocates who are willing to help you represent your child's needs when you meet with the school. They know the laws and can help ensure the school isn't giving you the run around. If you haven't already, I would suggest contacting an agency like this in your area to gain some insight and support.

My son has always struggled to keep up on his schoolwork, not because he doesn't know the material, but because he feels he "shouldn't have to do it" because he knows it already. Is it possible this could be contributing to your son's missing work? We asked for shorten assignments and excusing him from doing an assignment entirely (like practice tests) if he had already demonstrated he knew the material. This helps a lot. That might help your son too. Could you ask for an accommodation that allows him to have a higher level of tolerance, in terms of missing work, as it relates to his sports? Just a thought.

I hope this helps your situation. I think the biggest thing we learned was NOT to wait on the school. We had to step up and make our child's needs be a priority for them. Best wishes to you!

[MamaB2Four in reply to RockerMama]

Thank you. Where would I find such an advocate?

[RockerMama in reply to MamaB2Four]

We were referred by our pediatrician, would that be an option for you (to ask your son's ped)?

[ADHD_DAD in reply to MamaB2Four]

Google Special Education lawyers. It is quite likely that a local firm specializing in that work will have been involved in suits with your district before (while the school likes to seem like yours is the only ADHD child its ever had, it's not true). The firm will likely have access to all needed specialists and can refer. Not bad to have a relationship with the lawyer anyway. Hopefully never needed, but it's nice to have a base to tag.