504 plan

[Numberate]

Hi, I am planning to request a 504 plan for my son. He is 11 going on 12 and moving onto 6th grade middle school. From what I gather, I start with the school principal with a written request for timeline purposes and then a meeting is set up to discuss the request and my concerns. To be honest, we have not been to therapy and we go through his pediatrician for medication treatment. We stopped doing therapy because we felt like it wasn’t really helping. The therapist wanted to focus on getting to the root of the issues ie possible trauma but she was already aware of his ADHD diagnosis. To us, we wanted to look for someone who would teach him coping skills. We probably should have searched for someone else but to be honest, I found this community and felt like it helped so much more than any therapist or dr we’ve seen. So my question is, what modifications have helped in your experience for someone who struggles with 1) social awareness 2) impulsiveness and emotional regulation- cannot control his anger and words when upset with classmates when on the playground 3) fights in class and talks to classmates when they are trying to finish work. Is supposed to read but he says he gets bored and has to talk and has to be redirected numerous times 4) has gotten frustrated with teacher and himself when he gets stuck on a hard problem that he can’t get past when it’s timed.

These are issues that we had last year without medication. I am not quite sure how he will do with or if it will help. I am assuming it will but I still want to request a plan to be more responsive rather or reactive.

I was thinking of the following:

1) more time on math tests 2) seated in the front close to teacher 3) directed to read book or journal or have a reading book he can move to where he is on his own 4) have a designated counselor who he can go to when he is upset

also another thing is, my son does very well academically so I don’t want my concerns to be dismissed. I have comments from his teacher from last year and she still teaches from the school so I am sure she can help attest to my concerns. Any help on someone’s journey/process and thoughts would help! Thank you!

[Aspen797]

The move to middle school is a real nail biter! We have found a little more push back in middle school on accommodations, especially in advanced / gifted classes. Are you going private or public? If public, an IEP provides more protections (against discipline for disability-related behaviors) and services (social skills/peer groups, executive function skill teaching, etc.) a child does not need to be failing to qualify—they just need to have disability related weaknesses that impact the general education curriculum (I.e. group work skills, time management, anxiety, etc.) Might be worth considering.

For either 504 or IEP, the accommodations you mentioned sound good—extra time for written work and test completion; preferential seating; adding structure to non-structured activities (giving specific acceptable options to choose from during free time); travel pass /chill out card if he becomes dysregulated. How is his hand writing and ability to keep up with written work? You can add in keyboarding and limiting rote work too. As he progresses, you’ll note new areas of strength as well as weakness. You can always update accommodations as you need to. Really great that you’re getting going with all these supports early in the middle school transition!

[anirush]

My grandson is in high school and has an IEP which puts him in special ed. He gets extra days for assignments, a pass he can use to leave class and go to his counselor's quiet room if he is feeling overwhelmed, small group and permission to have breaks for state testing which sometimes takes most of the day. Middle school is the worst. My grandson used to fight at school. PE was one of his worst classes mainly because it is unstructured, and he needs lots of structure and control.

When I could not get the school to respond to my request for a meeting, I sent a certified request by mail, then they could not deny getting a request. Do not let them talk you into less than what you want. Been there, done that.

Be sure to bring a letter from the doctor with his diagnosis.

[Momtrying]

I was able to go straight to the school counselor and not have to deal with the principal. Although it’s very helpful for the assistant principal (usually over disciple) to be aware of what’s going on. That can lead to a little more understanding if your child gets repeated detentions like mine did. (Usually for blurting out in class or walking around the room distracting other students) I would say pushing for a break pass when overwhelmed and being able to take work down to a quiet room in the office. Also , working with a para in a small group when possible. That helped my son a lot in math class.

I’ll say the BIGGEST help of all for my son is medication. We’ve had to change doses over the years but when it’s right, it changes everything.

I’d say counselors and teachers are pretty understanding if you keep good communication with them but stay strong in support of your child. You are their advocate.

[Kd1970]

I agree with the person who said you need the adhd documented in writing from your physician. Also, ask for seating near the point of instruction in case it’s not always in front of the class. The request for breaks will probably be argued because it can be perceived as a ploy for work avoidance so be careful how you word it. Our daughter’s medication is managed by a psychiatrist because our pediatrician had a one size fits all approach to medication management for adhd. Hopefully yours is better. We’ve had the same therapist from third to seventh grade to help with social skills. Our adhd management is a 3 legged stool: psychiatrist, therapist, medication. Best wishes to you. Definitely get the timeline started and keep detailed notes during the process with dates and names of everyone you communicate with or you will forget or it will all get jumbled up in your head.

[Onthemove1971]

Wow! Everyone has great suggestions..

One thing that has helped us is requesting all academic classes be in the early part of the day becuase his medication wears off by early afternoon.

Another reason to get this plan in place is for testing. Especially SAT/PSAT and state testing. The extra time is so helpful.

Best of luck!

[Cjkchamp]

It sounds like an IEP may be in order rather than just a 504 for modifications. An IEP will provide service time for things like working on the social awareness plus give you the ability for modifications. With the 504 you could get additional time for tests, tests in a different location, and seating in a certain part of the room. Definitely get the ball rolling because this process is not overnight and the schools are usually backed up where I live. I saw he isn’t on medications anymore, have you given any thought to exploring broad spectrum micronutrients? Wishing you the best!

[Numberate]

Thank you so much for all the replies! All great suggestions and advice that will help me better articulate what my son needs. I feel like my brain is mush sometimes from being such a busy mom and that I can’t even put together a 3 word sentence without sounding like a caveman. Thank you again! These were all so helpful.