The law prohibits schools from discriminating against students because of physical and mental impairments. Section 504 covers ADHD kids who don’t qualify for special-ed services under IDEA, but who need extra help in the classroom. If your child’s ADHD is so severe that he’s unable to learn in a regular classroom, he may qualify.ġ2 Steps to Smarter School Accommodations Some qualify under another IDEA category: Other Health Impairments. Kids may qualify for coverage if they frequently have one of these problems in addition to attention deficit. IDEA covers kids with very specific conditions, including mental retardation, emotional disturbances, hearing impairments, and speech and language difficulties. Decide Which Laws Are Applicable Two federal laws provide for free, public special education services: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. (See our checklist of academic records that every parent should keep!)ģ. TIP: Bring copies of your child’s report cards, standardized test results, and medical records, as well as a log of your communications with the school and other professionals to the meeting. Following the assessment, you will discuss the results with the evaluation team and together you will decide whether your child needs special-education services to address how ADHD impacts her ability to learn. Team members will review your child's academic records, conduct a behavioral assessment, and observe her in the classroom. As part of the process, they'll want to meet with you to learn more about how your ADHD child functions in school. Meet With the Evaluation TeamA school-sponsored evaluation is conducted by a multidisciplinary team - including special-education teachers, the school psychologist, and other professionals. TIP: Send your letter by certified mail or hand-deliver it and keep a dated proof of receipt for your records.Ģ. (In some circumstances, the school may have to pay for the outside assessment.) Should the school decline your request, or if you're dissatisfied with the evaluation's findings, arrange for a private ADHD evaluation. (It's often a waste of time to send the letter to the child's teachers, guidance counselor, or principal.) Get an Accurate EvaluationWrite a letter requesting an evaluation to see if your ADHD child might benefit from academic accommodations.Īddress it to the chairperson of the Committee on Special Education Services - aka the Director of Special Education Services. Follow these eight steps to take the hassle out of establishing an IEP or 504 Plan.ġ.

It is important to have ongoing evaluations on the effectiveness of the accommodations and to change/adjust them as needed. If you have a child with ADHD it is good to know these accommodations because you can request them to be a part of your child’s IEP or 504 Plan and they can help your child to be successful at school.The process of securing academic accommodations for your child with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) can be confusing - and intimidating. There are several accommodations to consider within these categories. The student's IEP/504 team will select accommodations and those accommodations should be chosen based on the individual student's needs.

This can make school really hard because their brains don’t allow them to do the things that are expected of you at school.Īccommodations are commonly categorized in four ways: presentation, response, setting, and timing and scheduling. Students with ADHD exhibit several symptoms that can get in the way of learning such as inattention, being easily distracted, difficulty sitting still, being hyperactive, and interruptive. ADHD affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behavior.

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