A 504 is a federally mandated program .... school and teachers must comply.
I am not that well versed in the details but there is LOTS of information online about 504 plans, legal issues and enforcement.
Since we have a 504 plan the school system has provided us with a book about our rights for children with disabilities. There is an entire appeal process up to the state.
Once you have a 504 plan your guidance counselor is legally responsible to make sure it is followed. Anytime something happens I notify the school IN WRITING that they are violating my daughter's 504 plan. That results in immediate action.
Again if you are the squeaky wheel ... people react because they don't want any problems.
As far as the planner goes ... it is my daughter's responsibility to make sure the teacher signs it. We have had some issues with DD following through but we have made the consequences for not following through so severe that she gets it signed everyday by every teacher.
Also I have made it a habit of personally sending in a copy of the 504 plan to every one of her teacher's to make sure they are aware of the situation.
Honestly getting the 504 plan is the hard part. Once I had it getting it enforced has been rather simple.
Debby: this is sooo helpful, thank you! I'm going to meet w/my daughter's AP next week and I will ask for some of these accommodations. I really like these three:
- Any time an assignment is missed the teacher must notify us within 24 hours. Either by phone or e-mail.
- We sign all graded papers. That way the teachers know we see what is going on.
- She was a daily planner and each teacher is required to initial it every day to make sure that all asiignments and tests are written down.
Do the teachers always follow these accommodations? Our local HS is huge. Seems like the teachers might forget to do this. I've heard that a 504 plan is not a legal document and does not have to be followed, that it's up to the school. True?
My daughter is in middle school and I can relate.
Worst case ... depending on where you live ... you may be entitle to a FULL TIME aide. They follow you child around school, class to class, help with any and all organization skills.
This was the recommendation from my neurologist but my daughter was apalled. So we are trying a different path.
The doctor and school social worker were very helpful in making recommendations for our 504 plan.
These are our current accomodations ..
- She was a daily planner and each teacher is required to initial it every day to make sure that all asiignments and tests are written down.
- We have an extra set of books at home.
- Any time an assignment is missed the teacher must notify us within 24 hours. Either by phone or e-mail.
- We sign all graded papers. That way the teachers know we see what is going on.
- She has her own locker. No sharing.
- She is allowed extra time on tests.
- All her books are color coded. So AM books are different color than PM books.
- She is not penalized if she is late for class. The school practices a stict detention policy for lateness.
- We have quarterly meetings with all her teachers to review her progress and address any issues they see.
I do know folks who have limits on HW in their 504 plans.
I will say when she moved from grade school to middle school we had to adjust her medication to account for the longer hours and increased concentration issues.
We added 10 mg of Focalin in the AM and moved to a 15mg Daytrana patch. In spite of the medical notices we wear our patch at least 12 hours a day.
Good luck and keep us posted.
What kind of accommodations can I ask for or are commonly given to children with ADHD (attention deficit without hyperactivity?) in high school. The school seems open to a 504 plan and asked me to come in to discuss it.
My daughter was diagnosed in 1st grade but did well because we were very involved w/her teachers and were able to micromanage her but now that she's in high school we are finding it increasingly difficult to find out what is going on or to communicate with her teachers. She forgets to do her assignments or remember when they are due, she struggles with organization, prioritizing. She is one of the last to complete her tests in class. She takes hours to do her homework. She can't seem to remember much that was taught/discussed in class.