Advocating For Your ADD, ADHD Child - Advocating For Your ADD Child

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Pat B: What do you do when a special education coop continuously has a power struggle and forgets what the needs of the child is?

Judy Bonnell: You write that Letter of Understanding :-) State what you understand that is not happening, that should be happening. Ask for a meeting and state the expectation that district recommendations and denials of your requests be in writing as required by law.

Nadine: I was told my son has inattentive type of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), however he is at the top of his class and he has no behaviour problems, so therefore, the school will not step in and help. So it will cost me over a $1000 to have a full evaluation done here in Canada.

David: Is there anything she can do, Judy, to get the school district to help with the evaluation?

Judy Bonnell: Not all children with Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, are going to need services. I don't know about Canada, but in the U.S., there must be problems in learning. As I say, I don't know Canadian law. She needs to get a copy of her law and see what it says about evaluations. Always learn what the law is that covers your child.

David: Even though some parents may like to, most can't afford to hire a lawyer and fight the system. When do you think it's time to throw in the towel and seek legal assistance in getting your child's special education needs met?

Judy Bonnell: The problem with due process and lawyers is that it can drag on for years. It can also irreparably damage relationships. In any case, parents should start building that all powerful documentation because a lawyer will bless them for it!

I have found the Office for Civil Rights very helpful in many instances for ADHD. And they provide their own lawyers when necessary. That's how we won our class action suit for children in New Mexico.

David: Yes, I imagine that because of the slowness of the legal process, if you start with lawyers while your child is in 5 grade, by the time that issue is resolved, your child is a college graduate :)

Judy Bonnell: Not always. And we have some very fine, caring, advocacy lawyers. Just depends on the circumstances.

ikwit1: My husband and I spoke to a school psychologist to develop a 504 plan for my daughter. She had numerous educational testing. The problem is that the psychologist would not put certain interventions in the plan because she didn't know if the next school would follow through with the intervention. The psychologist wouldn't allow a few interventions that we wanted.

Judy Bonnell: I think the psychologist went far beyond her authority. Such decisions are team decisions and should be based only on a child's needs.

David: What should she do Judy?

Judy Bonnell: I think you would have a good issue for the Office for Civil Rights with that one. First I would get the psychologists position on paper, of course.

iglootoo1: I was told at annual review that my ADHD, Learning Disabled, Gifted 16 year old would not be entitled to accommodations in an honors history class according to the State (NJ). He has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Since he was only recently diagnosed and trying to come to grips I am considering an attachment to IEP sent to all his teachers. What do you think?

Judy Bonnell: I think I would write a letter of complaint to your special education director and tell him/her that you believe your son's civil rights are being violated by not making the necessary accommodations. I do recommend parents look ahead and see that such recommendations are in the IEP long before testing is due.

You might also ask them why the SAT is given with accommodations but a local class will not make accommodations?:-)

David: I want to thank Judy for being our guest tonight. We appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with us. And I want to thank everyone in the audience for coming and participating.

Judy Bonnell: It has been a pleasure David. Thank you for inviting me.

David: If you haven't visited Judy' site, The Parent Advocate, I encourage you to do so. There is a lot of very useful information, sample documents, and links to sites related to issues discussed above that you can use. You can also check other sites in the ADD/ADHD Community.

Good night everyone.

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