So do I proceed with the 504?

you can have the accomodations listed "as needed".

My 6 year old (no ADHD diagnosis) has an IEP for OT for handwriting and some conversational language help with the speech/language people. We still put preferential seating and time modifications and modified amount of work/homework, but ONLY if needed. I do not want her to have modifications on her work if she is able to keep up and made that quite clear, BUT if we get into the year and past the "honeymoon phase" as I call it and the novelty of shool wears off and it's not longer review, but new material, if she starts to stumble and get frustrated, I can request her work be modified. No meeting with anyhone, it's already in her IEP. I'd keep the safety net, you never know how he'll handle stress once it pops up.

Ok - during the summer session of school the principal and I talked about my son and how we needed to set up a 504 for him after the beginning of this years regular school year because of the behavioral problems we had last year.  I was all set to do that, and even started seeing a behavioral psychologist to help with that, and now I am not sure we need it.

Ds has the same teacher now that he had over the summer, when we had all kinds of issues.  Also, we switched his meds from Concerta to Vyvanse at the end of the summer session and he was doing well when school ended on the new med and was having no problems in class any more.

I know it is early, but this is the 2nd week of school here, and we haven't had any issues in the classroom at all.  In fact, his teacher told me on Friday that she is going to keep sending his daily progress report home for the next month, and that if his behavior stays like it is now, she is going to stop sending them home unless he has a problem.

The med change has definately helped the behavior and focus.  I am wondering if the 504 is even necessary now.  What do you all think?  What would you do if you were in my shoes?  Would you go ahead and put together a plan with a bunch of stuff that won't be used?  Or would you wait until there was a problem and set it up then?

I don't have the issues here with the schools that many of you do.  My district is VERY good about starting these things early and getting the kids on the right path.  In fact, it was their idea to do the 504 this year.

Looking forward to hearing what you all think!  Thanks!

Absolutely have a 504, because if you need to evolve into an IEP, you won't have to wait.  Remember, med stability is a transient state that is impacted by stress (growing class load), physical maturation, age and weight gain. Enjoy, the moment, but remember that the honeymoon won't last forever.

Paul

I work for a school and would say that if you are comfortable with your district, and feel that they are supportive of your child, I'd hold off on the 504 plan for now until I knew if it would be necessary. Get more feedback from the school as well to find out their opinion. Ask yourself what services you'd want in your child's 504 plan and that might help you make your decision. If a district is cooperative and you have the medical data to support a 504 plan, one can be established quickly if needed. Another point to consider too is that if you and the school are on the fence, we sometimes put one in place when there is a transitional phase coming up (state exams coming up where option of lower score would be helpful/transition to new building or "tougher" grade).

And, just to clarify: A 504 plan or an IEP are both federal documents and have to both be legally followed equally so neither is better than the other-they are just different. And, if something is on a 504 plan or an IEP plan, it is not optional, it is a mandated service a school must provide. Our district ended up going to court on this issue this year (child had services on IEP that they weren't using so we were instructed by our CSE director that they must be removed and we won in court).

Best of luck to you! I'm so glad you have a good working relationship with your school. It makes all the difference.

Keep in mind that medication is not a behavior pill. It affords the child the opportunity to make a choice rather than act on impulse and like any other child or person, they don't always make the right choices. The goal is to have more good days than not and just because the child might have a bad day doesnt mean the medication is not working.No one is perfect, medicated or not so we must not have unrealistic expectations when the child is on effective medication,

You have gotten very good advice from other posters and medication needs may change or may not change at some point in time but just to be clear, if your child is on stimulant medication weight gain won't alter the effectiveness of the medication. I agree that you should have the 504 in place regardless. That is only true of Straterra which is a non stimulant. Good luck and keep us posted :)