As I was researching about the evaluation process for children with ADHD I came across an article that was specifically about what needs to be done if a child has been identified and is working to get an IEP. I found it interesting since I did not know what exactly needs to be done to get a child on an IEP with ADHD.
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_ADHD_Evaluation/
It specifically explains that a child there are two laws that protect the rights of children with disabilities. If a child with ADHD does not meet the requirements for IDEA they might meet the requirements of section 504. I don't have much experience with IEPs and this process is very quite interesting in reading about what a parent and teacher have to do to help a particular child.
I had a child in my classroom on an IEP for ADHD and I was able to attend two of his conferences. I was not there for the actual IEP meeting which I see as a disadvantage for me to learn more about what exactly his IEP entailed. I actually plan on interviewing his mother in the next week or so.
Anyway, this particular article mainly focuses on IDEA and section 504. It explains which each of them do and how they can help a child with ADHD get an IEP. I found it very informative and useful in learning about IEPs in general as well.
Hi Katie,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what you are saying, and I think districts will vary in ways they handle this type of situation. I will tell you, there was a little boy in my class who would not be able to focus on anything we were working on...it was as if he didn't realize we were talking. We would give directions, even individually sometimes, and even if he was looking at you, he wouldn't be able to focus on what you were saying. We referred him and asked about him, and though we were both surprised, he had done okay on his writing. Did you ever know they say to give a child who has ADHD a Mountain Dew?! It definitely doesn't sound like a smart idea but apparently the caffeine in the Mountain Dew levels off the hyperactivity in the brain; I learned that in Exceptionalities.