504? Pros and Cons?

Jessica - posted on 04/08/2009

my son was seen by the behavior specilast to come up with ideas that would help him so this is like his 504 plan so a 504 plan can be made up in many different ways that is what our pave specilast told us.

Dawn - posted on 04/07/2009

My twin boys are now in the 6th grade, and where diagnosed with ADD in the second grade. Up until this year, there has been no mention of a 504 plan, but we were going to family counceling, and our councelor mentioned it to me. So being that I have a friend who is one of their teachers I was talking to her about it. Some 504 plans could be something a simple as giving them 1 page of a test at a time instead of giving them a 5 page test. Overwhelmed my children. So if you want my personal opinion, I think that whatever we can do as parents, to make our children successful in school we should do. Right now one of my boys is seeing an AREA 13 teacher, and she sees him once a week during a study hall. Do his friends now, I guess I don't know. But it has been the best choice for us, he loves her, and not only helps him with his school work, but also has helped him build his self-confidence in shool. His teachers have even noticed and complimented him.

Jessica - posted on 03/30/2009

Post a reply!also as far as test go it reallys goes to how good the teacher is my son's teacher will let him have as long as needed but will have him maybe finsh it at lunch time when the other kidsd do noice or let's him bring it home and do it for homework

Jessica - posted on 03/30/2009

 a 504 more tells the school what they have to do to help do you have a good advaticarte where you are something like p.ave. they are people who can go and help be the jthird person in the school system for you we love them here she went and help us set up a plan and sahe told use at anytime if we felt that they where not following it to let her know and she whould deal wirth them but a 504 is a great thing to have it more helps you in keeping the schools in line.

Kristen - posted on 03/27/2009

Wow- your daughter sounds so similar to mine. The part with the school saying it would get harder each year since Kinder, etc. We have known since she was little that she wasgoing to be constantly on the go but she was holding it together in school and so we didn't do meds for a long time. She would come home from school and fall aprt every day as she got past 2nd grade because she had nothing left in her to get her homework done. We struggled at home with all the extra behavior mod, 6 days a week of sports for energy release, etc. because we thought if she was doing ok in school we could handle the downward spiral at home and didn't want to feel like we were putting her on meds just so she would be getting perfect report cards. Her teachers were good about letting her stand in class because she couldn't sit still and didn't cause trouble. She started having more problems with her moods as she got to the end of 4th grade and demands kept increasing. She was miserable 5th grade as everything became multi-step projects and she felt like she could be doing better, so she went on meds that fall and was a different person (even topped out the gifted testing as soon as she went on them). She finally felt like she could be her best- who she was meant to be. Anyway, I wanted to give you background before I answered your question because she is in junior high now, but I have more background knowledge at the elementary level because I am a special ed. teacher in an elementary setting. Often at the elementary level, 504's aren't needed- especially if you are in a school that really cares about meeting everyone's needs. In our district the teachers work hard to do this, so they are always making those modifications based on needs, not based on paperwork (which is really what the 504 is). Most schools should be willing to accomodate your child's needs to help them succeed. The 504 is more of a protection for you to hold your school responsible for this if they are not willing to do it. If you have concerns about her needs being accomodated for, ask to meet with the teacher and principal and anyone else who is involved with your child's learning. They will be able to tell you if they are willing to do these things without the trouble of drawing up a 504, and if not then it is your right to request one.. However, as your child gets older (like in jr, high) things become more complicated because there are so many people responsible for your child throughout the day and it is easier for your child's needs to get lost in the shuffle. My child is doing ok right now with nothing in place (but her meds),but there are a lot of kids who go for 504 plans when they reach this level because of the increase in their needs. My daughter and I are still trying to adjust- it is a lot of responsibility for her to stay organized and keep track of things and to keep me informed of what I need to know to help her. Luckily she is very bright, so Ihave time to try on our own before her grades get in serious jeopardy, but with gifted classes there is a lot of high expectations, so it's hard. She is not used to this pace- she's used to coasting more.

Hope this helps!

Sharyn - posted on 03/24/2009

We did this with my son and it has been great! We live in FL so my son is required to take the FCAT test starting in 3rd grade. He has been better with medicine but still took a long time to finish tests and we were really concerned. We put him on the 504 and it really helped with the FCAT. They took him out of class, only on testing days, and put him in a smaller class with other 504 students. All the 504 students had an extended time to finish the standardized tests. Then, as soon as testing is over, he is sent back to his regular class. It didn't seem to bother him at all to be moved to a different class for testing and I don't think the other kids noticed because they were testing all day as well. And, we were relieved that he had extra time. He ended up doing really well on the test.

Carrie - posted on 03/24/2009

We were going to do this so I know the process. In VA you have to have a clinical analysis done, IQ testing as well as emotional analysis, this will not be covered by insurance and will run about 300 - 400$. You will need to be seeing a Psychiatrist, between the analysis and psyciatrist they will list your child's needs. Next step is to apply for the 504, fill out all the paper work submit the paper work and stay on top of the application, it can take a long time to obtain an appointment before the commitee, some people I know had to talk to an attorney. Be prepared with your knowledge, be patient, be firm but always keep your cool.

Best of luck.

Heidi - posted on 03/24/2009

I want to help you understand that if your child qualifies to have a 504 plan it will go by what your child needs help with.  You can request what to put in the plan.  It can be anything like giving her more time to turn in homework  to giving the child extra time on tests.  Your child may not need to go to a smaller group to take tests.  The school and parents would discuss what it is that your child needs in the plan.  And after the plan is put into place it does not mean that schools will follow it.  It is your job to make sure that the school is following the plan for your child. 

Jennifer - posted on 03/24/2009

Hi Debbie,



I have read a little about the 504 law and such but I can say that if this is my child and no doubt it will be in just a few years. But I would go ahead and try this at least for a school year and see if it does make a difference. Though I understand the taking her out of class at test time and then how kids can be, but that is when I would go and talk to the teacher if you see that kids are saying things to her about it and it is starts to have an effect on her. I don't think I would draw attention to it just yet and just see how things progress for her if you put her under the 504 law.



Hope this helps you and hope things get better for you!



Jenn