posted
I just got done talking to the assistant principal at my daughter's school.
I am trying to get a 504 in place for her and thought that would cover her excessive absences from school.
I was told that neither a 504 or an IEP would cover her absences and that a note would have to be sent every time she was absent from the doctor to the school.
No doctor's office can is going to have the time to do that.
I am so at a loss here and the one that is suffering is my daughter.
Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on this? Has anyone had similar issues and found ways to resolve it?
I just don't know what to do to help her. Thanks in advance.
You guys here are the best and have always been her for support and information. It is so greatly appreciated.
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey orrn,
Nice to see you! Sorry you and your daughter are having to deal with the IGNORANCE from the schools too! Poor kid.
I do not have a child in school now, but thought I'd offer this information that is posted on the Lyme Disease Association website. They address a number of concerns about children with Lyme and the school system.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem, and a shameful one too! I wish you the best of luck.
My daughter is a junior in HS and I started with informing her teachers about her diagnoses. She was just diagnosed in Dec 2011 but had been sick for a couple years before we were able to find out she had Lyme. I then went to student services and discussed her condition with the counselor. My daughter is an A/B honor student and takes AP classes. Her goal is to go to college so I didn't want anything to mess that up, especially LYME! I too looked into the 504. There is a sub category within the 504 called an OHI (otherwise health impaired) there are specific diseases and disorders that automatically qualify a student for specialized services under this category. Lots of school systems will try to tell you that Lyme disease doesnt fall into any of those listed conditions however, it's a very gray area and it doesnt mean that you HAVE to have one of the listed disorders in order to be included. You do need to get whatever documentation required in advance, make copies and fight for your child's rights. I would also suggest that any and all meetings be recorded (by you) and have copies of everything for all attending. I was able to work things out with her counselor and teachers to get missed work and to bring in notes (mine) for absences. I had to get a letter from her LLMD explaining that she had Lyme disease and was undergoing treatment that would prevent her from attending school at times due to Lyme symptoms and/or side effects from treatment. She is now allowed absences in excess of the school system allowances.
Another thing that you can look at is the Homebound Program within your school system. You should be able to find this info on your School Systems website. If you can't find it...call the school system and ask to speak to the person who handles it. The Homebound program allows a student access to online school services for absences due to a medical condition that prevent them from attending school. The online program is for student in Middle and High school. A school representative will be assigned for Elementary students and will come to your home.
I wish you luck and hope your child is better soon
WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Wrightslaw is a good resource for this kind of thing. Or familyvoices.org. If you get really stuck, there are also people who work as "special education advocates" to help in dealing with the school system or you could contact a special education attorney.
Kids who cannot attend school for medical reasons are being denied a free and appropriate public education, which they are entitled to by law, and the district needs to provide accommodations to remedy that. For a child who can't attend at all, that would probably be an at home tutor. Not sure exactly what the accommodations would be for a child who can sometimes attend school and sometimes not, but they definitely should be covered.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
She could become an online student. Many states have free access programs now (meaning paid for by taxes) for residents, some even require students to take an online class to graduate high school. I don't know where you live, but you could see www.flvs.net for an idea of how it works.
-------------------- ------------ It took 20 years to find out I'm not crazy. New bite in 2010 pushed my body over the edge. Positive for lyme, babs, bart, and myco. I am not a doctor and happily offer only my own opinions. Posts: 357 | From The Beach | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
My daughter is in Jr. High. So far, the school has been very accommodating to her. I'm sorry yours isn't.
As mentioned earlier, look into what your district does for home hospital (ours provides a tutor/teacher twice a week that brings homework. She was still enrolled in core classes and teachers allowed her extra time on assignments.) We did this for 7th grade. A doctor had to recommend this.
8th grade we signed up for online school, again in core classes. This is offered free, but only K-8. She has been able to take an art class at school this term. We also were able to put a 504 in place this year.
I believe Lyme is so unknown here that it has worked to our advantage in this case.
I feel High School will be harder to negotiate because grades count toward college. Hoping to do a less rigorous schedule at the school. And, of course, hope her health improves.
Being able to work from home when she feels up to it has been the best solution since her symptom flares are so unpredictable and it takes a lot of time for doctor's appts and therapies. This is not a perfect approach because it is so hard for her to not be with her peers but it is easier to manage.
Good Luck!
Posts: 312 | From Utah | Registered: Nov 2010
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