questions concerning iep versus 504 and adhd versus aspergers diagnosis...

[Guest guest]

I wonder if anyone can give me some insight. We requested testing for our son

(finishing first grade, heading to second) and consideration for an iep. They

denied iep but gave us a 504. At the time of the denial, we had two doctors -

one diagnosed my son with adhd and the other with adhd/aspergers and mthr gene

defects, multiple food allergies and sensitivites, metabolic issues, digestive

issues and immune issues. (All of which are true.)

First, they questioned me about the diagnosis of aspergers and why the one

doctor determined that. Secondly, they completely left it off of the diagnoses

and the denied an iep and moved to 504 determination.

During the 504, both the teacher and me and my husband expressed concerns about

my son's social interactions with his peers and they did not want to give us any

type of accommodations in this category. They kept bringing up funding issues.

After the teacher expressed for about the third time that he would need

" something " , they agreed to give him social books and allow him to go to a

special corner in the room to read them if it seemed the need was arising.

We signed and accepted the 504 about six days ago. Today, I sent a letter to

the counselor expressing concerns because I don't feel the social issues are

being addressed properly or enough. I asked if he could continue in the social

groups he has been in for K and 1st grade (all K and 1st graders do, but not 2nd

where he is going) and they said they didn't know if it would continue because

of funding.

Can anyone who has been through this process offer me insight? Should I press

the issue of aspergers or let it go with the adhd diagnosis? What is better for

my son? Am I right in feeling that they left off aspergers so as not to be

required to do an iep? If it has been six days since we signed and accepted,

can we still ask to have the determinations re-reviewed?

I've never been through this process and I'm totally in the dark.

Thanks for any insights, suggestions from those of you who have been through

this process!

Viola

[Guest guest]

you are right in questioning motives, the school system is broke and so they

can't/don't want to give any more services than they have to by law.  If you

aren't a member of the taca group, it is worth joining.  There is a gal

who is very very smart about all things iep, fape, lre and school.  She can

give you great info.

nancy j

From: Viola <viola062003@...>

Subject: questions concerning iep versus 504 and adhd versus aspergers

diagnosis...

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 5:43 AM

 

I wonder if anyone can give me some insight. We requested testing for our

son (finishing first grade, heading to second) and consideration for an iep.

They denied iep but gave us a 504. At the time of the denial, we had two

doctors - one diagnosed my son with adhd and the other with adhd/aspergers and

mthr gene defects, multiple food allergies and sensitivites, metabolic issues,

digestive issues and immune issues. (All of which are true.)

First, they questioned me about the diagnosis of aspergers and why the one

doctor determined that. Secondly, they completely left it off of the diagnoses

and the denied an iep and moved to 504 determination.

During the 504, both the teacher and me and my husband expressed concerns about

my son's social interactions with his peers and they did not want to give us any

type of accommodations in this category. They kept bringing up funding issues.

After the teacher expressed for about the third time that he would need

" something " , they agreed to give him social books and allow him to go to a

special corner in the room to read them if it seemed the need was arising.

We signed and accepted the 504 about six days ago. Today, I sent a letter to

the counselor expressing concerns because I don't feel the social issues are

being addressed properly or enough. I asked if he could continue in the social

groups he has been in for K and 1st grade (all K and 1st graders do, but not 2nd

where he is going) and they said they didn't know if it would continue because

of funding.

Can anyone who has been through this process offer me insight? Should I press

the issue of aspergers or let it go with the adhd diagnosis? What is better for

my son? Am I right in feeling that they left off aspergers so as not to be

required to do an iep? If it has been six days since we signed and accepted,

can we still ask to have the determinations re-reviewed?

I've never been through this process and I'm totally in the dark.

Thanks for any insights, suggestions from those of you who have been through

this process!

Viola

[Guest guest]

There is a wonderful website that will help you...have to remember what it is

called and I'll get back to you.

In the meanwhile, I'll share what I know. I am not an expert, and each state and

each county is slightly different, but the federal law in IDEA-R allows for you

to call for a review of your child's plan AT ANY TIME, even 6 days after you

signed it. In my opinion, the reason they did not put Aspergers as a diagnosis

is 1)their school psychologist did not do the assessment and 2) aspergers in on

the spectrum and qualifies your child for an IEP. I sincerely hope they did not

avoid the diagnosis due to funding issues, for that is illegal. You might

request an evaluation from the school psychologist, but beware that if that

psychologist does not find your child to be aspergers, they will not budge. At

that point, you have to file formally that you disagree with the school's

findings and request that they pay for an independent evaluation (THEY PAY).

Once you have that, the school must consider that info, but they are still not

required to accept the diagnosis. Then, you last option is to file a formal

complaint with the state saying you disagree with the findings. This is a long

road, it causes a lot of grumbling and dissention with the school and your

teachers, and you must decide if it is worth it to you.

I also wanted to mention that the school/county cannot tell you " no " because of

funding. They have to give you prior written notice, usually within 10 days of

your request, as to why your child does not require that item/service. If they

still can't provide the service because of funding, well, that just sucks, but

don't let them tell you your child can't have it because of funding. If your

child needs it, and the team agrees that he needs it, it should go on teh IEPor

504. If the school cannot provide it at that point, they are out of compliance

with the IEP or 504, but sometimes they just take the hit because they truly

have no resources. Does that make sense?

If it were me, I'd start by politely requesting a review of the plan, and bring

my own advocate who know the laws and the child's rights. Each state has them.

As soon as I find that website I'll post it here! Good luck! It's uphill all the

way!

>

> I wonder if anyone can give me some insight. We requested testing for our son

(finishing first grade, heading to second) and consideration for an iep. They

denied iep but gave us a 504. At the time of the denial, we had two doctors -

one diagnosed my son with adhd and the other with adhd/aspergers and mthr gene

defects, multiple food allergies and sensitivites, metabolic issues, digestive

issues and immune issues. (All of which are true.)

>

> First, they questioned me about the diagnosis of aspergers and why the one

doctor determined that. Secondly, they completely left it off of the diagnoses

and the denied an iep and moved to 504 determination.

>

> During the 504, both the teacher and me and my husband expressed concerns

about my son's social interactions with his peers and they did not want to give

us any type of accommodations in this category. They kept bringing up funding

issues. After the teacher expressed for about the third time that he would need

" something " , they agreed to give him social books and allow him to go to a

special corner in the room to read them if it seemed the need was arising.

>

> We signed and accepted the 504 about six days ago. Today, I sent a letter to

the counselor expressing concerns because I don't feel the social issues are

being addressed properly or enough. I asked if he could continue in the social

groups he has been in for K and 1st grade (all K and 1st graders do, but not 2nd

where he is going) and they said they didn't know if it would continue because

of funding.

>

> Can anyone who has been through this process offer me insight? Should I press

the issue of aspergers or let it go with the adhd diagnosis? What is better for

my son? Am I right in feeling that they left off aspergers so as not to be

required to do an iep? If it has been six days since we signed and accepted,

can we still ask to have the determinations re-reviewed?

>

> I've never been through this process and I'm totally in the dark.

>

> Thanks for any insights, suggestions from those of you who have been through

this process!

>

> Viola

>