posted
I know this isn't medical but I have noticed a better response in this area and need HELP!!
Ok so my 2 sons with lyme are trying to go to school. One is doing ok. The other not so well.
I wrote up a 504 plan and have been following up with it weekly. Still haven't had a meeting set up for it by the education director. But all teachers and principals have copies.
So when a problem comes up I try to contact them. This is happening almost daily.
Then he has a different teacher for each subject so I am trying to communicate with all of them. Not only do they not communicate back most times, but they don't follow the plan that I wrote up at all!
I am beyond frusterated with trying to get this to work. Each day he is denied accomodations that he needs.
One day he was told to run 1 mile in gym class. Then he almost fainted. I put light gym activity only. How is the light? So if he had a peanut allergy they can't give him peanuts. What is the difference?? His body can't handle running 1 mile.
The teachers don't tell me when assignments are missing. He forgets to write his homework in his planner. They don't check it. Then I am trying to figure out what is homework when he gets home. Not knowing if we are missing anything.
On top of that he gets too much homework. 4 sheets for spelling/language class to be done in 1 night. He has to hand write math definitions by copying them from his book. What is the point of that? It is just busy work and he can't write that much.
So we are having several issues and even though the principal seems like she wants to help it isn't working so far. I think we need a middle person to take care of these things so I don't have to contact each teacher. They don't respond anyways. But how do I hold them accountable when they don't follow things? Maybe I need an IEP instead? An advocate? Where do I find one of those?
I also thought maybe I can send him part time. Like for hands on classes (band, art, science) and then have a part time tutor for math, social studies and language. Has anyone else done this? If so how do you go about getting this set up?
Sorry this is so long and lots of questions. I am hoping others who have been through this can offer advise. I am trying to be on top of things with this and be persistant but it isn't working.
Thanks! Amy
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Dear Amy,
I know many moms who have gone to homeschooling when the school just wouldn't do what was needed! There are often several to hundreds of moms homeschooling in an area--they can have joint activities or even meet at a school for sports or band, etc. Where I live, there are more than 200 homeschooling moms in just my small city!
Some school districts in California even have a homeschool coordinator that works with homeschooling moms. (This is different from someone who coordinates teachers going to the homes of kids who are bedridden--sometimes that's called "homeschooling.")
There are also on-line curricula, etc.
This may work better for you and your family than trying to fight the school all the time.
PM me if you'd like more info.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
amy, there are 2-4 posts going on about this subject; check them out in support and i did notice this one quickly ....
posted
Hi Amy its me from niles! Can i ask how long you have been treating the kids , any from say age 2.
I need to keep in touch with you.
Maybe you cn speak with the principle about his healing he needs through rest, and doing something like rewriting words already right there is ridiculous or some other more appropriate word explaining how it exasterbates neurological lyme while he already has trouble prob with prolonged activities.
-------------------- Let us fight with peace. Posts: 90 | From Niles, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2009
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There are explicit requirements under both federal and state law that districts MUST follow. You need to document (through doctor's letters,) your sons' illness and his special requirements. After evaluation if the school finds your son's education is significantly effected by his illness, even if under section 504, your son/sons should be issued an IEP outlining their needs, and their designation should be "other health impairment"
I would collect as much hard science as possible---like Dr. Fallon's research on lyme's impact on pediatric cognitive function as well as physical limitations (outlined by the doc).
Keep in mind, you are also entitled to due process if you do not agree with the recommendations and remedy the school is offering. Your son is entitled to a fair and appropriate public education under the law.
That being said, when my daughter was pretty sick, we pulled her from school and she fulfilled her high school requirements for a semester using Brigham Young University's high school courses on-line....This really worked beautifully for her.
just an fyi, I am a regular ed teacher and am completing a master's in special ed. as we speak. Let me know If I can help further in any way.
best to you and yours.
Posts: 554 | From Naples, Italy | Registered: Jun 2006
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I encountered similar problems with my kids when they were too sick to keep up. At the high school level, where they have different teachers for each class, and are earning credits towards graduation, it is especially challenging.
A 504 plan is a good start, but you need an IEP. Soujourner gave you some excellent advice.
There have been a couple of times that no matter what we did, we could not get the school to cooperate enough to lighten the workload to what our sick child could realistically handle. I pulled one of my sons out of school for a year twice and home schooled him, and that proved easier and less stressful than hassling with the school every day.
I don't know enough about your situation to know if you think home schooling is a viable alternative for your family. If the answer is even a maybe, I recommend you look into it.
Whatever route you choose, I wish you well.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I pushed myself through school and then it got to where I was just about crawling into class. (This was before I got diagnosed several years ago) I was able to barely finish out that year. Then I started doing everything from home.
It relieved alot of stress on me and I came out pretty good after the schooling was all said and done.
Posts: 458 | From Miss | Registered: Mar 2009
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Hmmmm.
The parent and school both need to write up the 504 plan.
It can't just come from the parent.
They are not legally bound to following it, unless
It is a Rx written by the doctor.
You need to call the school and set up the 504 meeting asap.
Unless I missed something, they haven't signed the 504 plan
And thus are not responsible for it.
Does that make sense?
You cannot have an IEP on a child unless he has an evaluation.
It can be an interim IEP (like if you had an eval by an outside source and
it was just missing some info. In order to have
A binding IEP the school sytem must have
Have done an evaluation on your child and determined he
Meets criterion to be classified.
Then the IEP is written to meet your child's needs.
No 504 (completed by the school), then no eval.
Have to get the school system to meet and develop a 504
Plan with you for your child first.
That way, if the interventions don't work, the special ed dept
Will get approval for evaluation and evaluate him.
I was part of that system many, many years ago.
However, the law 94-142 is still the same.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
We homeschooled pre-lyme when my kids were little. It obviously gives you control over what your child can and cannot handle.
Our homeschoolers are allowed to participate in school activities, ie band, extracurricular stuff too. We have so many homeschoolers here, they even have their own bands, sports teams etc.
You might want to check with the local school district and see what they allow in that regard.
I know some don't want to homeschool for various reasons; it's a big responsibility esp. when they get into the harder courses. But it might be an option.
People always used to rag on us about 'socialization.' I found this amusing because the homeschoolers were busy with more outside activities with other kids than the regular school kids.
They got plenty of 'social time.'
Good luck, I hope you find the answers you need.
Linky
Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Sorry I have been lost under hours of homework each night with my son! I would like to re read these and respond to you all. Maybe later tonight? Sigh..thanks
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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