School Evaluation - on meds or not?

Cheryl - posted on 08/23/2009

Hi Donna, I have to admit your posts confuse me and I am not real sure what advice you are seeking. However, Toni's post really provides you with alot of good and honest information. The state you are in really determines what laws apply.

For instance, I am in California and the laws are very clear about kids having rights with ADHD and as a parent what my rights are. The number one rule as Toni put it, YOU ARE YOUR CHILDS ONLY ADVOCATE! Everyone else has a hidden agenda and you must be open minded enough to hear their thoughts but knowledgeable enough to put them in their place.

Never have your child tested when off meds, being on meds will be the only way he will be able to comprehend and and be successful. Not sure what they want to measure while he is on meds, there is nothing the school needs to measure except for ability to learn, be redirected, how many times things have to be repeated etc. They are not doctors and can not recommend drugs or increase drug levels.

You as parent can limit what they test and dont test, just dont stand in the way of testing that is in your sons best interest. My son has been on an IEP (Individialized Education Plan) since he was in 3rd grade and was approved for this Special Education program because of his severe ADHD, so checked on the paperwork is other and ADHD is listed. On this IEP most of his classes were resource classes at least the academic ones were but not because he was dumb, but because he needed more time than what was allowed in the general ed classes, because he normally had to re do the work as he would loose it, he needed more time for tests and because sitting for long periods of time for testing, he went to the Special Ed teacher to do any state testing so he could stand. Requiring these kids to sit for 30 min or more is pure torture!! My son is now a Junior in HS and has been on the honor roll for the last 2 yrs. He now only has 2 Special Ed classes and the rest general ed, but he has support class to help him with the general ed class.

If failing in school is a bigger problem than it should be and having ADHD, maybe there is something else going on. Have you had him evaluated at the mental health clinic for underlying issues? It is very common for kids with ADHD to have underlying issues, anxiety, depression, OCD, etc. We did not find out until my son was in 7th grade that he had an anxiety disorder and I wish someone had said something sooner.....

There are a few good books out there about Teaching the ADD\ADHD child. I think this would be important for you to pick up. Also check with your states Department of Education and see if they have a handbook on The rights of the Special Education Child and their parents. I have a handbook from our states Dept of Education and with that I have really held the school responsible for their actions and put them in their place, more than once.

Also, go to CHADD's website and see if their is a local chapter in your area. They were very helpful for our family and their classes taught my hubby and I alot. In fact, a college student with ADHD came and spoke to us and she really enlightened us on why they listen to music and tv so loud and how for you and I music might be a distraction but for the ADHD child is actually helps them concentrate. Weird I know...but we really got a chance to talk to someone who had first hand experience living this life and what she went through.

Hope that helps...but I am thinking maybe not!

Ginny - posted on 08/23/2009

I understand completely.My son is in middle school and once he started the teachers did not want to deal with him.He has been on medication since he was 5.He takes Concerta.The school told us he needed more meds.I disagree.He now takes 36 mg in the morning and 54mg at lunch.Its called ADHD.Its a attention disorder.People with AD want attention.And the more you give it to them the more they are to act up.When my son started 7th grade he was a teenager and he is in that time of his life that he wants all attention and that he will get it anyway he can.But when he is at home he is different.We do not let his disorder control us we control it.And that means by not giving him all the attention he wants.During the summer when school is out he only needs the 36mg.We do not give him both and he is fine.But schools do not want to deal with the children no matter what problem they have.Its sad but true.So their solution is they are ADHD and they need more meds.But if it was their child they would feel different.My son is 14 and ADHD and I have a 9 year old daughter with Type 1 diabetes and both children go through this at school.because they both have a disability in its own way and the school wants it to be easy for them.I wish you luck.

Dana - posted on 08/13/2009

The plan you want your son on is called the 504 plan. It is a federal funded program. You meet with the teachers. principle, and counselor and create a plan for your child that is updated every year. I made sure this was in place right away.. 10 years later it still works..

Toni - posted on 08/10/2009

I am not sure where you live but ADHD is considered a disability in the United States. Therefore your child has rights to special education. These laws are to protect your child, use them. I have been where you are and it took me 2 yrs and aggressively pursuing the school district to finally get help. Everyone on the school board is well aware of who I am - JUST REMEMBER YOU ARE YOUR CHILD'S ONLY ADVOCATE...not the teachers, counselors, doctors or anyone else...only you. Your child needs to be evaluated by the school diagnostician and school psychologist, this is a positive step in the right direction, YES keep him on his medication, believe me on or off medication, his ADHD will shine thru. Once they have completed their evaluation they have a certain amount of time to set up an ARD meeting. This meeting will have his teachers, principle, counselor, diagnostician and school psychologist and you to discuss where and what to do with and about his education. There are attorneys out there that will attend the meeting with you at no charge, do some research and you can find them in your area. Just mentioning an attorney will scare the pants off your school trust me. Just remember your child has rights, he deserves an education. Good luck and god bless. It will get better.

Brandy - posted on 08/10/2009

im not sure all u could do is go on the internet and look it up.....about the laws....what state do u live in... im michigan...

Donna - posted on 08/10/2009

Thank-you all for your comments - even though I'm still not quite "getting it". Perhaps I'm not explaining myself well: the school has been officially informed of my son's ADHD over 2 years ago when my son was in the 4th grade. He will be entering the 7th grade in the fall. My son is on ritalin during the school year. My school requires an evaluation in order to give any services/accomodations (whether 504 or IDEA). The teachers and myself all know how my son performs at school on medication --- the school is not supposed to be measuring how much medication he needs -- they are supposed to be measuring his disability in order to determine whether he qualifies for services. That is why I cannot understand why they would want to measure his functioning while he is on medication. It's like testing your eyesight while wearing glasses. And your responses puzzle me as well because I do not think you are well informed. The problem is, neither am I !! Does anyone know what the law has to say about this?

Mary - posted on 08/09/2009

I think to have your son evalualated while on meds the doctors need to know for sure if it is doing what it needs to do at school...or if it is too much at school ...don't need zombies at school either just kids doing their work but being theirselves with help not zone out...doctors need to know all this...don't you think?

Barbara - posted on 08/08/2009

My son is going into first grade, but has been on meds about a year, we did the school evaluation thing last summer---I think he should be on meds, so they get a clear picture of how he will be in the classroom

Laura - posted on 08/07/2009

If he will be taking meds before or at school than he should be evaluated the same way. That way they can evaluate him the way he will be at school and determine what he will need at school to help him succeed.



I have what is called a 504 plan for both my boys that didn't call for any evaluation. I had documentation from dr. that said adhd and I was able to tell them what I wanted and now can expect them to do it and they can be held accountable if they don't. They get extra prompting, extended testing time and small group testing for the I-LEAP. Thank goodness it's all they need.

Brandy - posted on 08/07/2009

my son is 9 and was having trouble in school and was diagnosed in kind. but last year in first grade he was having problems,he wasnt on any meds .. i kept telling ppl he had adhd but noone believed me... but when the school couldnt handle it anymore thats when they wanted him put on meds ... so me and the dr asked for an IQ test and iep done and he was on meds when he had it done... by this time he has already repeated a grade and is falling behind on his math, reading and now has to have speech and langue ... so they have now put him in special education.. finidng out its to hard for him to be in the class room with all the other kids and cant keep up with the other kids cause its to hard for him to concentrate and has to give him frequent brakes.... if he is evaluated and u dont like what is said in the iep or dont agree to what they say u dont have to sign it and can ask for hearing... hope this helps... brandy