California Schools-HELP! | ADHD Information

You send a CERTIFIED letter to the school psychologist. This will be a
written request for assessment. You quote the education code. California
Code of Regulations (CCR) Sec 3021 requires that all written referrals for
assessment shall initiate the assessment process. Cal Education Code
section 56029 defines referral as any written request for assessment by
the parent.

Example letter start:
Dear X
I am writing to refer my child, X, for assessment to determine if X is
eligible for special education services. X is not progressing in
school. X is 9 years old and attends X school.

By CA law the school must give you an assessment plan within 15 days of
receiving your letter. TELL them that you know this in the letter.
Something
like , I look forward to receiving your assessment plan within 15 days.
(This is based on the school year, so do not stall.)

Strategically, you increase your odds of receiving special education
services if you have your child evaluated privately and enclose your
doctor's report with the letter. This would be a neuropsychological
evaluation, and yes they are expensive and usually not covered.

Once you get an assessment plan, you request a copy of the schools
written
assessment reports before the IEP meeting. Do this in writing, and ask to
receive it a certain number of days before the IEP. They do pretend that
it's not ready in time so that you are unprepared. You'll get multiple
assessments - mental, academic, social, etc.

One thing to remember. If it's not documented, it did not happen.
Friendly chats get you know where. Play hard ball and let them know that
you know the rules of the game. Contact Community Alliance for Special
education (CASE) and order a copy of Special Education Rights and
Responsibilities. You can probably order it from their web site. I think they
are in northern CA. It's kind of like having a book that describes how to
play a chess game,and this is indeed like a chess game. And next time,
please post on our adhd issues in school board not
the
Children and young adults with adhd board.Jessica N40669.8481828704

Hello all, I'm new here.

Long story short, my husband is military and we recently moved to California from New York. Our daughter is 9 and in 3rd grade, she has ADHD but it's more her focus and she's very impulsive. We've tried Adderol and now we're trying Concerta. She is not doing well in school, she's been in remedial math and reading since grade K.

The school here is telling me that there is nothing they can do for her. They do not have funding for remedial classes until grade 4 and that there is nothing available to help her in school. She is very behind, NY was not doing as much as they are doing here in CA which made her grades get even worse.

I can't believe that they wouldn't have anything to help a child who is struggling so much in school, who is diagnosed and treated for ADHD on top of that. Does anyone have any helpful information to share that may help me? I am looking online with no luck.

Thanks!

Sabrina