lylajean’s Journal Entry: Journal Entry for May 12, 2008

Comments

There's no formula to follow, and nothing is guaranteed... sometimes it takes a couple tries. You may have to try different things, different meds, different combinations of coaching, meds and therapy. You're going to have ups and downs. Stick with it and see what happens.

You may be surprised.

Just be sure that your doctor is being sensible and do your research to be involved in the kids' treatment.

ArmchairDeity

I agree with ArmchairDeity. Each child being different makes the equation different. She may need more life skills to deal with the hyperactivity part. You can have a 504 plan that is simpler than an IEP. It will let the teachers make accommodation's necessary for her in the classroom. I would never put my child on an IEP again if I didn't have to. They have these balls that have 3 horn like things that they can sit on in class so they are moving but not distracting to others. Letting them chew gum sometimes helps. My oldest listens to instrumental music with her mp3 player while doing her work, it helps to keep other things from distracting her.
Here is an article from a site called WrightsLaw.com I love this site. It has helped my advocacy with my children's education.

"Who is Eligible for Protections Under Section 504 . . .
but Not Under IDEA? "
www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.who...

Q: Who may be protected under Section 504, but not under IDEA? A student with AIDS? A student with ADD? A student with chronic asthma?

A: Section 504 is a civil rights law. Section 504 protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Section 504 ensures that children with disabilities have equal access to an education.

All three students would be protected from discrimination under Section 504. Each of these students may also be eligible for special education and related services under IDEA.

Eligibility for special education and related services under IDEA (and eligibility for protection from discrimination under Section 504) is not disability-specific. This means that one child who has ADD or asthma or AIDS is eligible for special education services under IDEA (which always makes a child eligible under 504) while another child who has ADD or asthma or AIDS is not eligible for services under IDEA, but may be protected from discrimination under Section 504.

These decisions are specific to each child.

If the child has a disability that adversely affects educational performance, the child is eligible for special education services under IDEA. Children who eligible for special education services under IDEA are protected under Section 504 (but the converse is not true).

If the child has a disability that does not adversely affect educational performance, then the child will not be eligible for special education services under IDEA but will usually be entitled to protections under Section 504.

Read the definition of "child with a disability" (page 25, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law).

You will find more information about Section 504 and the relationship between IDEA and 504 in Wrightslaw: Special Education Law. This book includes the full text of both statutes with commentary, and the implementing regulations for both laws.

I hope this helps. Remember that you do have some choices with what you can do.

RJ