What accommodations should I ask for in a 504 meeting??

ALICIA - posted on 01/11/2013

MY DAUGTHER HAS ADHD AND DEXI AND SHE NOT GET THE HELP FROM HER SCHOOL WANT DO I DO KNOW IAM LOST THE TEACHER YELL AT HER WHEN SHE NEED HELP AND I HAVE CALL AND NO ANWERS CAN U HELP ME OUT PLZ

ALICIA - posted on 01/11/2013

MY DAUGTHER HAS ADHD AND DEXI AND SHE NOT GET THE HELP FROM HER SCHOOL WANT DO I DO KNOW IAM LOST THE TEACHER YELL AT HER WHEN SHE NEED HELP AND I HAVE CALL AND NO ANWERS CAN U HELP ME OUT PLZ

Sandy - posted on 10/18/2011

Our son is the same way. Very forgetful. Our school uses agendas when they get in 4th grade, so homework is written in the agenda every day and "should" go home for parents to see. Our son is able to get help from the special ed teacher, so she checks that he has everything written in the agenda and initials it. That way I know that everything written is everything that has been assigned. You could try implementing that with your teacher (if she is open to doing a little extra work). We also bought our son a portfolio to put the agenda and course folders in so that he was not putting work in his desk. EVERYTHING goes in that portfolio and comes home with him every day and then back to school. When he is finished with work, it goes in the portfolio and goes back to school. (I have to train the teachers to check the portfolio though. Our son has said on occasion that he forgot something and they believed him and then send me an email telling me to make sure he gets the work in. I tell them to check his portfolio because I check that every night to make sure his work is there.)

Things to request in the 504 would be that he NOT be docked for forgetting his name. That the teacher give him one reminder BEFORE docking him. That the teacher ASK for the homework. Getting books at home is also a great help. It's one less thing for your son to have to deal with. Another thing to try is to get them to do positive reinforcements instead of the negative (losing recess). Our teacher also sends home a colored slip every Thursday. A blue one if they have all their work in and an orange one with a list of what is missing. The parent signs it and then the kids take it back and get a piece of candy. (This doesn't work with our son, he doesn't like the candy that she hands out. Of course, the teacher doesn't ask for the slip either. But, it might work for you.)

Bottom line, you know your son. You know what you do to try to help him stay organized. Now you have to DEMAND that they help him at school. It may be hard. Teachers may not want to do the extra work, but they have to. Check the PACER and CHADD websites. They have links to information regarding your rights and what kinds of help you can get in a 504.

Vicki - posted on 10/17/2011

I was told by an advocate that they are not allowed to take away recess time, it is state law. Kids need to get out there and burn off energy, have a break from classes, etc. Especially kids with ADHD. If you have an IEP, individualized education plan, you may ask for accommodations. Such as having you son sit away
from areas of distraction in the quietest location possible. he should sit in the front of the classroom. The teacher should remind him of assignments and when they are due, maybe with a weekly schedule, she could even email a copy to you. Part of the dx of ADHD is forgetting, also he should not have his grades lowered if he forgets to put name and date on paper as this is PART of his condition! He could also have such things on his IEP like he has to hand all paperwork directly to teacher so she can check for name and date at that time! Both my kids have an IEP, my child is also allowed extra time on tests if he needs it, extra time to complete assignments, he is able to get up and stretch, walk around If he gets fidgety, etc. But it sounds to me like his meds may need to be adjusted too. The teacher could help a lot just by sending him home a weekly schedule of homework and handing it to him, so he gets
home with it, All of this should be in writing!,,,

Kelli - posted on 10/14/2011

A tip that I learned with my son on homework is to break it up in smaller pieces/short term goals. I have a timer that I use to give him breaks between the short term goal. For example, he will do 2 worksheets and then be rewarded with a 10 minute break. I started this in second grade and he has built up to almost finishing his nightly homework in one sitting without a break. I do give him a break before he does his nightly reading. I have found that doing homework right after school is the best for him. We get him a good snack and then get right to it.

As far as the 504, ask for the world! Whatever you think will make the day easier for him. Friends of mine that are teachers told me to ask for everything I could think of and then see what works best for him. If you don't use all of the things so be it. You need to ask that the teacher gives him assignments in attainable "chunks". Taking away his recess is not helping either. He needs to go run it out during the day to give himself a break for physical play. I would definitely start with meds as well. My son takes Concerta and that worked better for him over the Adderal. Concerta is a time realeased med and it helped him stay more focused with less side effects. We just increased it to 27 mg before school started. I would also try and make him a laminated checklist that he can re-use. I am about to try that with my son as well. He constantly forgets his soccer cleats, shin guards, etc even when I lay them out. So I am going to try a laminated check list with a dry erase marker to remind him of all of the things that must be in his bag before we go. You could do that with his homework/school backpack as well. It is important for me to teach him to be independent and responsible. When he is successful he shows it and it gives him the confidence he desperately needs. Good luck!

Lori - posted on 10/09/2011

I also have a 10 y/o gifted ADHD son. You can request altered homework. If your son understands the concept of what they are doing and is having homework issues, you can request that he doesn't have to complete homework assignments. I will caution you to use this sparingly. Make sure it is an area that you know that he understands well. If his attention span is only good for a short period of time for homework, make sure that he is doing homework in the area that he needs some extra help in. If some of his "unnecessary" homework gets eliminated, then there will be one less area that he will get dinged as a "behavior issue" in class. Making these kids focus on something that they already know is like torture to them. It only gets worse when it is then treated as a behavior issue in school. Some teacher won't like this, but that's the whole point of a 504, to adjust your son's education to fit his learning style. Take a look at what you think would work for your son and then request it. It doesn't matter that it's "unconventional", that's the whole point.

Damico - posted on 10/05/2011

My son is 11 and in the 6th grade he has been on Adderyll 30 mg for the past 2 years. He has anger and aggression issues and the doctor suggested Intuniv 2mg in addition to the adderyll. Doctor indicated that the intuniv was not a stimulant but would assist with the anger. We have been on the intuniv and are still having some adjustment issues. We have had a 504 plan since elementary school. our 504 plan consists of extended times to take tests, redirection ie..if he gets off track the teacher will send him to sharpen a pencil or ask him to go get a book for her. By the time he gets back to his seat he is able to get refocused on his task. the plan also calls for the teachers to discipline him a certain way. ie...when he is angry and can't calm himself...they put him in an area by himself until he can regain control of himself. his plan also required his teachers to use an agenda. My son has difficulty remembering tasks, so he writes everything down. I purchased a larger agenda for him to be able to do this. I check in with his teachers constantly via email and show them that I support their efforts as well as my sons. It was a struggle in the beginning. some of the teachers fought it. I recomend that you not back down. Get the 504 in place. Yes it is more work for the teachers at times. But it you and your teachers work together it makes it easier for all involved most importantly your child! Good luck!

Lynne - posted on 10/05/2011

Oops... reread my post he takes 1mg of intuniv 2x a day.