Legality of school pushing drugs | ADHD Information

Okay, DS had a rough day yesterday, I got called to the school, you know the drill.   The counselor, asst princpl, and princpl all agree that DS has been doing wonderfully up to yesterday.  Then they start telling me a call to the pediatrician about increase/adding/changing drugs is in order.  He's 6 years old for cripes sake, just started 1st grade, new building, new students, new teacher, new expectations.  Then when I dropped him off at school today the couselor asked if I had made the call to the pediatrician yet.  DS has been doing great on the med and dose he's on.  I'm fuming to say the least.  I called the DR at the ADHD Clinic i brought DS to this summer, and she is going to write something up stating (pretty much) that they need to implement the IEP before any discussion of drugs should begin.  I want to know if they are even allowed to suggest something like that.  And yes, I plan on nailing them about the IEP issues we've had...and its only week #2! 

Anyone dealth with this before? help

That is unbelievable!  Obviously these people don't understand that bad days can still happen even with meds.  They aren't allowed to tell you that you need to put your child on meds, and they are definitely out of line, but I don't know the legality about suggesting a call to the doc when they already know the child is on them.  I think the line might get a little blurry there. 

I do know that my children's school refuses to be the first one to say the word medication.  They ask about his "treatment."      

WOW, one bad day and they do that!?!  Even non-ADHD kids have bad days with bad behavior.  Good grief! 

Good luck dealing with the school!

 

The same thing happened has happened to many of us.  Your right, mentioning meds is tabu, but don't focus on that for now...deal with the real issue which is the teacher who is having a challenge and hasn't given you a heads up before escalating it to the principal.

You mentioned that everyone except the teacher made the recommendation.  I suspect that the teacher has been talking with admin right along and they finally shotgunned you with their recommendation. 

My first step would be to setup a weekly meeting with the teacher after school for a few minutes just to keep you updated.  If things are really deteriorating, then a daily report card with three specific items (ex; interrupting class, bothering other kids, language) could be sent home.  That way, if the principal calls and say 'whatever'    you have some backup data to agree or not.

It's a tough situation for you because you don't want to be surprised and you want to be a supportive parent.  On the other hand, the teacher has a class to teach and if there is one or two kids disrupting, then the rest of the kids suffer.  Often the teacher is untrained to deal with ADHD and thinks (as most people do) that a magic pill will fix everything.  Rather than being confrontive, educate.  Again, setup a meeting with the teacher armed with info that directly relates to teaching kids with ADHD and schedule a regular communication either in person or by a simple report card.  We've even had his therapist sit in on that meeting to help the teacher understand the situation and be provided with tools for success.

Paul

 

Thought I'd update you all.  After speaking to the guidance couselor I know they at least know where I stand.  She is a truely nice woman.  I explained to her that his teacher had no idea that DS had an IEP so therefore the tools specified to help him...sensory diet, behavior chart etc could not have been implemented.  I think she realizes that not following an IEP could be a problem, not just for DS's success, but they can get in a lot of trouble.  Suddenly his seat was put where it's supposed to (close to the teacher) he has a behavior chart and he's given access to the sensory tools he needs.  Understand that I am VERY happy that DS is getting what he needs, and concerned at what happened in order for the IEP to be followed.  His IEP goes from May to May each year, so in my opinion there's no excuse, and he without those tools in the IEP its almost like setting him up.  His teacher has 20years experience, which could be a good or bad thing.  I'm now getting copy of his daily chart and I hope this continues.  I also told her that I was offended at the mention of medication and that most parents with kids on behavior meds.  I wasn't harsh about it, but more matter of fact.  So, we'll see how things go now.  DS had a great day yesterday and I was proud of him...he was proud of himself too.

I have not not found a teacher YET who really knows the kids IEP or the accomodations especially at first. It's really too bad, I would think they'd want to know as much about each child as possible before school starts.

Being on the "other side" a little bit with my 6 year old. She is put her dismissla note in the wrong slot and the teacher never got it one day, her homework is coming home mixed with school papers, but it's only day 6 of grade 1 so disorganizaion is fine, but the teacher called to explain the lost dismissal note, and I told her dd must've misunderstood where to put it and she tends not to ask if she doesnt understand she just does nothing. She said, I understand, and we'll help her, but our class is quite "ACTIVE" and for now I'm trying to get everyone settled. I get it as I live this world, but this time it's my child who's on the receiving end of some other kids fingers in her lunch (making her american cheese into swiss ). hitting her in the stomach because it's fun, standing up in music and wiggling his butt at the teacher, and I am thinking "oh boy" that poor Mom, BUT I am also hoping my daughter doesnt end up "lost". Weird, putting things in perspective............

Anyway, twodoodles, I'm glad it's sorted out for now and I certainly hope you can have an amicable working relationship with the teacher this year, it's SO important to their success, and it takes both sides working together to accomplish that.

   My sons 2nd grade class was compacted into 3 classes with 25 students each class. Each class has several that are "special" in one way or another. My sons has 6, yes 6 boys with ADHD and/or aspergers. His teacher is telling me she thinks his meds arent acting as good for him anymore,that he has lost focus. I said the class is way too large for the kids she has and I told her I would go to the next board meeting. She said  PLEASE GO!!!! I told her I didnt have a problem adjusting his meds if he needs it, but I wont to suite the class size. [QUOTE=twodoodles]He's 6 years old for cripes sake, just started 1st grade, new building, new students, new teacher, new expectations.[/QUOTE]Was there a transition meeting with the school based team and his new teacher? The new teacher should have received a copy of his IEP and input from last year's teacher, etc.
Next time a teacher/administrator/counselor asks you if you've gotten his meds adjusted yet, just ask them if they've graduated from medical school yet.  They're teachers, not doctors!  It is illegal for them to tell you to adjust his meds!

[/QUOTE]Was there a transition meeting with the school based team and his new teacher? The new teacher should have received a copy of his IEP and input from last year's teacher, etc.
[/QUOTE]

When I dropped him off the first day of school I made a point of mentioning his IEP.  She had no idea he had one.  I don't know if the info from the Kindergarten (which is in a different building across town) hadn't been transferred to his new school yet or what.  I had his IEP meeting at the end of school last year, and since he's my oldest everything is new w/elementary school, I made a point of asking pretty my what you posted.  I was told that the teachers review IEP at the start of the year.  I guess in reality, maybe that's expecting too much....but if I were a teacher I'd want to know what needs my students have.  I don't it was her fault not having his IEP, but that doesn't balance what affect that has on my son.  DS has an extreme case of ADHD and needs consistent support...even something as simple as his behavior/incentive chart makes a huge difference.

While it is not illegal for the school employees to mention medication, it is totally inappropriate in the manner in which they did. I'm glad you resolved things with the school counselor. I'd also suggest having a meeting with the CSE Chairperson asap to make sure the teachers who work with your son are all aware of his IEP modifications and have put them in place. Express your concern to her your son's teachers lack of knowledge placed your child in a poor behavior situation that probably could have been avoided. Ask their procedures for giving teachers IEPs prior to the school year. All of our teachers have their children's IEPS in their hands a week before the school year begins. They are well aware of what modifications students' receive before they even begin and have also already met with the child's resource room teacher to strategize implementation...

Best of luck!