My son is 13 and in 8th grade he got diagnosed July of 05 he has ADHD with OCD and depression tried Concerta, Adderall XR, Prozac, and Clonidine. Now he is only on Focalin XR-25mg-A.M. and Focalin 10mg-P.M. since mid February. I like the focalin because he eats better, sleeps better and he is more himself (not depressed and "zombie" like) but we don't have the dose right yet so he has more trouble focusing in class, he has been struggling in school and I requseted a 504 plan in September he just got it last week! We are in MARCH! Lately since I started to push the issue about the 504 plan they have been punishing him for every little thing, noises (which he makes constantly), getting up, not asking to go to the bathroom etc.) He has spent many days in (ISS) in school suspension , he's not doing well academically because he is not in class being taught, he is expected to do the work while in ISS. He recently got suspended for 1 day and the principal told him that he will make sure my son fails the year so he has to repeat the 8th grade at another school! They said they will try to expell him if he keeps getting into trouble! There is only 2 months left of school! I don't know what else to do! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Does he make noises at home too? Does he have friends or is he very slow socially or clueless? If he is, I'd take him to a NeuroPsych for a more intensive diagnosis, especially with the OCD and ADHD combination diagnosis. He could have Aspergers Syndrome and I'd want to have a specialist check it out. It is usually misdiagnosed as ADHD in younger kids until the social deficits become more obvious and if the right tests are administered. Regardless if you want to pursue this diagnosis and see if he has it, call your Dept. of Public Education and ask for the Advocate for Special Needs. Tell them that your school isn't moving fast enough to help your child. They have free advocates and can direct you to one in your area. We do this every time my son has an IEP. I strongly advise having your son re-evalued though. Good luck!
OlderMom38802.8309375I agree with OlderMom, your DS does sound more Asperger-ish than ADHD, it would be a good idea to get a second opinion.
As far as the school goes, it sounds like they are targeting your son, much less a principal's direct *threat* to retain you son and move him to a different school. I know kids with special needs can be difficult in classroom environments, but your school's attitude is beyond the pale. Let them know you have contacted an advocate so they know you mean business, and move on to a lawyer if that doesn't get the school's attention and respect FAST.
He does make noises at home too and NO friends! I did call an advocate today and I am waiting to hear back. I will take him to a NeuroPsych because I am starting to believe that he has been misdiagnosed.
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Aside from the dx issue -
Your son sounds alot like my 9 year old, Dylan with regards to the school problems. He was in a regular education classroom with 23 other children and only one teacher. He would get up out of his seat, sit on top of the desk, be distracting, etc. He was spending more time out of the classroom in the principal's office than he was in the classroom, and he was, too, missing alot of the cirriculum.
I requested, in writing, a full and complete evaluation through the school (here they call it a Multidisciplinary Evaluation, but I'm told they are different everywhere). They did a full scale IQ test on him and some other testing. Because he already has a dx of Bipolar, PDD, ADHD, ODD, I did not have to worry about them dx'ing him.
His IQ scores came in slightly below average (79) and with that, plus a referral from the pdoc, I was able to get him into an emotional support classroom through the school district. This classroom is so much different than a regular education classroom, they have almost nothing in common. There is a teacher plus an Aide. There are only 5 other children in Dylan's classroom. The class is VERY structured, points given daily for each task, then rewards given at the end of the week. I get a behavioral report EVERY DAY from the teacher, with comments or worries on it. It has made such a big difference in Dylan's schooling. He stays in the classroom now, he's having A days almost every day (maximum points you can get is 56 - he hasn't fallen below 52 points since mid-February). My oldest son, who is 14, is also in an E.S. classroom, and although there are not so many privelages (because he's older, a 14 year old kid doesn't care if he gets a piece of candy at the end of the day LOL), there are other types of rewards they can earn, i.e. classroom trips, extra time out of the classroom (he's starting to mainstream now, taking 2 classes out of the E.S. classroom), things of that nature.
May be something to consider.
With this you will also get an I.E.P. - which is more structured than a 504, I believe. I don't have any experience with the 504's, we've always had I.E.P.'s, but there are specific goals written into the I.E.P. that the school must follow. Things like homework, busses, that's written into that too.
Can't help you much in the way of dx information, I'm sorry. I don't know anything about OCD, but I think OlderMom's suggestion of the Neuropsychologist is a very good one. We're in the process of having this done with Dylan now, it's much more detailed than anything a psychiatrist can give you.
Good luck