School not consistently giving medicine | ADHD Information

My son has ADHD, which related to very poor discipline issues in school. He was put on Ridilin 8 hour and Foculin after the ridilin wore off. However, his private school is less than consistent with giving him medicine.

They initially missed the first week he was supposed to be on it, 3 out of 5 days the next week, and subsequent weeks have seen him missing on average 1 - 2 dosages, and many times recieving his medicine almost 4 hours late - which affects his ability to sleep at night.

I have spoken multiple times to the principal, who had the gall to tell me that my 6 year old was the one responsible for taking his medicine. To which I replied, thats like telling a deaf child to listen better in class. I have spoken numerous times with the school nurse, his teachers, and the after school workers. But the affects of which have remained the same.

I am looking for advice and information on the legal ramifications that could be applied to the school to pressure them to make this a priority. Any assistance or advise otherwise would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe look under Wright's law?  I am not sure if that is just for IEPs and 504s or if it covers more.  Wish I could be of more help.I think the same rules and regulations that govern public schools do not necessarily apply to private schools.  I recommend you call your state Department of Education for more information.[QUOTE=SacraVia]I have spoken multiple times to the principal, who had the gall to tell me that my 6 year old was the one responsible for taking his medicine. To which I replied, thats like telling a deaf child to listen better in class.[/QUOTE]

Oh right. The old remember to take your medicine that helps you remember story.

This may be a stupid question, but have you discussed this with the school nurse?  Our nurse had a schedule each day she must follow and if a child doesn't show up she calls the classroom.  Everything is strictly documented on charts as to when the meds are given, inventory of the meds are kept, etc.

I would tell the nurse the exact consequences of not giving the meds.  What happens if a child with diabetes or asthma doesn't get their med?  A diabetic can go into shock, an asthmatic can have an attack.  The nurse must give these meds properly?

(I just re-read your post.  If your child is on a long acting med, why do they need a dose in school?  How long are they at school?)

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Try setting up an appointment with the nurse, just like if your kid had athsma and needed to get an inhaler treatment at 2 every day.  ADHD meds are no different, your child has a medical condition and needs treatment.  My 6 year old with ADHD can't remember to keep his shoes tied, how on earth would he remember to go visit the nurse on his own, especially when starting a *new* routine.  Your child's teacher should also help with this, after all they are seeing the positive impact of meds when they give them as directed, so there should be some inscentive for helping there.

Your story sounded so familiar to me.  Your child is just 6 years old! This is more responsibility than the average six year old has!

As one doc jokingly said, "If they could remember to take their meds then they probably aren't add." 

I never looked up the legality question, but I have heard of parents having the same difficulty for kids with diabetes. It depends on the school.  One school nurse made it my 8yr olds responsibility.  I was not able to change her mind.  The next school was wonderful and had no problems calling kids down to the office.  Ds wore an alarm watch with a digital memo since 3rd grade to help out.  Even in high school he had two alarms five minutes apart.  The first to tell him it was time for meds and the second as a reminder for the first.  Sometimes even that didn't work.

Good Luck!