So the process starts.... re: younger DS | ADHD Information
You need to start the evaluation process for an IEP or 504 plan. You can find help and info on the ADHD in schools section of this board:
http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=18
the parent site of these forums:
http://www.adhdnews.com/mar02.htm
and additional resources to educate yourself:
http://www.ldonline.org/parents
http://www.wrightslaw.com/topics.htm
vickie39759.9379861111Is he way behind academically? Socially? Jessica N39908.3959606482In writing, send a letter to the special ed director requesting your evaluations. List your concerns and what you would like. If you had deliver it and ask that it be date stamped and a copy given back to you, they move move faster. You will receive consent for testing in the mail, once those are signed, the clock starts ticking. They have 45 days from consent to evaluate. The sooner you begin interventions the sooner you can work to close the gap.
[QUOTE=Jessica N]Is he way behind academically? Socially? I've got an older ADHD child in SE, and I'm kinda wondering why you'd want to enroll the other one in that process so fast. I have a 6 year old and personally I'd do private testing and keep the school out of it until I'd determined what was going on and whether it could be controlled with meds alone. [/QUOTE]
The reason why we're getting the school involved is it IS affecting his school work and he IS behind. Not in all academic areas but the "delay" is there. Plus, our school district is absolutely wonderful and I know will work with my son. If we find that there are deficits (handwriting, etc...) that OT will help, I'll be seeking private OT help.
We really think the issue is more than ADD .... and encompasses a learning disability.
Thanks Vickie and Diane! It's just been so long since I went through the initial intake phase with doing school-based evaluations (7years.....!) that I wasn't sure where to start! Of course with my older son, it was quite obvious he had delays/deficits, so they couldn't argue with that! :) We were also in a different school district as well (though, same state). Thanks for the links Vickie and the input Diane!
Took Holden to the ped today re: school issues and possible ADD, etc.
The doctor said there are some major red flags. The attentiveness,
focus and impulsivity are major red flags and the handwriting,
reading/comprehension and his propensity for talking are all major
concerns. Holden is NOT what I would consider "hyper" but he is almost
always MOVING something or TALKING. It's seriously like he CAN'T stop!
He is definitely thinking there are some ADD issues.... however; it
could be something entirely different that is causing the issues.
Dyslexia, Learning disabilities, Auditory Processing Disorder, some
other cognitive processing disorder, etc. So, we're filling out the ADD
packet and will have the teacher fill out the questionnaire so that we
can get that back to the doctor.
In the meantime while we wait for the doctor to go over the
questionnaires and history, etc.... I have to get in touch with the
school to see about them doing some educational testing to make sure
there aren't any other issues going on.
So.... what is the best way to do this? WHO do I call? the counselor?
The principal? Should I go to the school on Monday and ask (along with
written letter as well).. HELP! It's been 7 years since I've been
through this initial process and Ashton was only 2.5years old!
The doctor did say if the medical testing and such comes back positive
for ADD, that we can go ahead and start meds for that, without waiting
for the school to get their testing done.
We'll see what happens!