Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group
This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.
Hi everyone,
I had a meeting with my son's teacher this morning about his IEP for this term. For those who don't know, my son has had an IEP for 3 years but was just diagnosed with ADHD last year, and medicated last April.
The positive news is that his teacher is VERY supportive this year, and VERY proud of my son's progress.. so much that she believes a lot of what is currently needed in his IEP can be taken out. She agrees that he still needs some quiet time to finish work, extended time limits, requires a fidget toy, and he's still a year behind Grade Level for Math, but so much of it she said he doesn't need this year.
I have to admit, since starting medications, my son has become a different person. The big change I've seen in him is his responsibiltiy, and he's really trying hard to work, and it's working! So I do agree with taking some things off of his IEP. But his teacher said she would love for us to work towards getting him OFF one.
Of course, that would be great, because I think we can all say that we'd love it if our children didn't NEED an IEP. But I was under the impression that once on one, those modifications and/or accommodations would always be there. She said a lot of the stuff in his IEP she is doing anyway, which I know she is, and she's awesome for that.. but what if his teacher NEXT YEAR doesn't? Or at his new school? Or if we need to change or take him off his medications?
I left the meeting feeling ok, because she had so many positive things to say about him (and when your'e not used to hearing that, it kind of clouds your mind a little bit), but the more I think about it, the more worried I'm getting. I know he's changed a lot and things are much easier for him, but he still has ADHD and without question still needs a lot of things in place for him in order for him to reach his potential. It seems like we're taking a step back now. Has anyone experienced this? I'm not sure what to make of it all!
I had a meeting with my son's teacher this morning about his IEP for this term. For those who don't know, my son has had an IEP for 3 years but was just diagnosed with ADHD last year, and medicated last April.
The positive news is that his teacher is VERY supportive this year, and VERY proud of my son's progress.. so much that she believes a lot of what is currently needed in his IEP can be taken out. She agrees that he still needs some quiet time to finish work, extended time limits, requires a fidget toy, and he's still a year behind Grade Level for Math, but so much of it she said he doesn't need this year.
I have to admit, since starting medications, my son has become a different person. The big change I've seen in him is his responsibiltiy, and he's really trying hard to work, and it's working! So I do agree with taking some things off of his IEP. But his teacher said she would love for us to work towards getting him OFF one.
Of course, that would be great, because I think we can all say that we'd love it if our children didn't NEED an IEP. But I was under the impression that once on one, those modifications and/or accommodations would always be there. She said a lot of the stuff in his IEP she is doing anyway, which I know she is, and she's awesome for that.. but what if his teacher NEXT YEAR doesn't? Or at his new school? Or if we need to change or take him off his medications?
I left the meeting feeling ok, because she had so many positive things to say about him (and when your'e not used to hearing that, it kind of clouds your mind a little bit), but the more I think about it, the more worried I'm getting. I know he's changed a lot and things are much easier for him, but he still has ADHD and without question still needs a lot of things in place for him in order for him to reach his potential. It seems like we're taking a step back now. Has anyone experienced this? I'm not sure what to make of it all!
This year, for example, I'm already finding some teachers who don't automatically do those little things, like writing assignments on the board.
Having said this, of course I love the idea of my child not needing services. However I hate the idea of him needing them and not getting them. The other thing, at least around here, is once off an IEP it's very hard to get back on, so I pay absolutely no attention to anyone in the school who says something like, if it doesn't work we can always put services back in place.
I'd love to hear what others have to say about this.
That being said,
If you have any other questions please feel free to ask!
rsnation, you're right, and I, too, have found that some teachers don't do those small things that are on his IEP. And I know it's not easy to get an IEP with all the accommodations you need - it took me forever to get this one in place for him. You're right, it would be like starting over, and probably with twice the grief, should he need one again in the future.
jakeyjakesmom, Thanks for your reply as well, and it's certainly nice to get a teacher's take on it too! To answer your question, she is his homeroom teacher. We were supposed to meet with her and his support teacher as well, but she couldn't make it. My son struggled A LOT last year, and sadly, his homeroom teacher wasn't supportive at all - it was a really rough year. This year, his teacher is SO supportive and sweet and helpful, not to mention organized and accommodating, and yes, most of the things in his current IEP, she IS already doing. But I'm scared to take them out just because I know (from experience!) that next year may not be the same. Is there any harm, really, in keeping them all in there? If she's doing them anyway, then it's no extra work for her too, right? It's just nice to have them there if we need them later.