How to make school to provide 504 accommodations

[Anonymous]

DD (10th grade) has ADHD and has been on medication for many years. We requested 504 last year, but denied because her grades were good. DD says she is struggling to finish tests this year and asked us to request 504 again. Should we retain an education consultant to help with the process? I am pretty sure that school will deny again (due to good grades). Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Does she have a formal diagnosis from a psychoeducational evaluation? My dd also had excellent grades, but got a 504 in 8th grade in anticipation of high school being more challenging. We submitted the evaluation to the counseling team to start the process.

[Anonymous]

None of my ADHD son's MCPS schools ever fought us when we presented the reports from his neuropsychological evaluations. He had excellent grades for years, but still retained his IEP (established in elementary for total lack of functionality in the classroom). In 12th grade, we changed it to a 504 because he didn't really need the IEP anymore.

We went to Stixrud in Silver Spring. The psychologists there write the list of suggested accommodations in language MCPS can understand. By far the most useful, for my son in secondary school, was extended time and keyboard typing (he also has dysgraphia).

[Anonymous]

You need a letter from a psychologist stating the need. Once you have that request a meeting with your child’s counselor. They have to respond within a certain timeframe.

[Anonymous]

An attorney and advocate and recent private evaluation with a recommendation.

[Anonymous]

What are her grades like? My kid in private got diagnosed with ADHD recently but through mcps. Our school brought their concerns with her test scores and testing in general to us and we had concerns at home too. So she qualified for testing. She is eligible for a 504 that we will apply for for HS when she goes to public. Her school calls it an accommodation plan but it’s the same thing.
My understanding is that if they’re getting good grades they don’t need accommodations so there is not really a reason to test.

[Anonymous]

You can get a 504 for a student with a disability who is at grade level but needs accommodations. The key is to include documentation and recommended accommodations from your doctor. They will not take your word for it. I would request another meeting and bring the documentation. If they deny it, appeal it and keep appealing if needed.

[Anonymous]

Section 504 is an evidence based process for children with disabilities that substantially limit their access to their school life or curriculum. If the school has no evidence that her access is limited by her ADHD, then they might find her eligible, but say she doesn’t need a plan. Schools are getting hip to the scam of wealthy parents buying their kids extra time on AP tests and the SAT by buying a diagnosis of ADHD or anxiety.

[Anonymous]

What would happen if the test was pulled at time? Would she fail the test? If so- she needs extra time. But if she just wants a few extra minutes to add supporting details that will help her get an “A” on the test- this is not a need for extended time. Maybe first try working with a therapist or coach who will help her work in a timely manner. This will be far more beneficial for her in the long run (completing reports, spreadsheets, etc. expeditiously is a terrific job skill).

Schools need to be careful regarding the extended time accommodation due to the tremendous advantage it provides on the SAT. You would be surprised how many families cheat by paying thousands of dollars for a fake dx just to get extra time on the SAT. It is very easy to meet dx criteria for anxiety or adhd, so families think that dx = guarantees accommodations, which it doesn’t.

Best of luck to your daughter - she sounds like a very conscientious learner which will certainly benefit her in the big picture.

[Anonymous]

High school counselor and 504 case manager here. It sounds like your child has a documented "impairment" (not a great word, I know, but this is the language of Section 504). Therefore, your child is absolutely eligible for a 504 plan, so at the very least, your school is obligated to hold a 504 evaluation meeting at your request.

In a 504 evaluation meeting, your child could be found eligible and in need of a 504 or eligible, but not in need of a 504. To be found both eligible and in need, there needs to be data that your child's ADHD is impacting "one or more major life activities" (e.g. concentrating, learning, etc). If their grades don't support the need for a 504 because they are too high, it doesn't mean that there isn't other data to support the need for a 504. You need to be prepared with this data, which could come in so many forms. Is your child visiting the health room frequently? Is your child experiencing behavioral issues? Is your child getting good grade because they do homework, but frequently running out of time to perform well on quizzes and tests? Is your child experiencing distress about homework, studying etc. to the point that they are losing sleep, showing signs of depression or anxiety, etc.?

We often overlook kids with disabilities who are managing to do well in school, but getting good grades does not mean that a child doesn't need accommodations to level the playing field. However, 504 eligibility is all about data, so you need to have data supporting the need.

[Anonymous]

OP. Thank all for responses. DD had a neuropsyc evaluation done in 4th grade. Her private school provided accommodations, based on the plan outlined in the neuropsyc report until the end of 6th grade, when she switched to MCPS. She has been on medication since 4th grade and she has been seeing a psychiatrist for medication management. When we requested 504 last year in 9th grade, psychiatrist submitted a note to support the need for accommodations. School denied the request and told us that after speaking with teachers, they decided that there was no need.

I want to make sure we are well prepared this time. Should she get another neurophys report? I do not understand why the note from psychiatrist is not sufficient.


Any recommendation for education consultant who can help us advocate and/or gather relevant data?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

If she hasn't been evaluated since 4th grade, she will need a more recent evaluation to show continuing need for accommodations (not merely that she has ADHD).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would happen if the test was pulled at time? Would she fail the test? If so- she needs extra time. But if she just wants a few extra minutes to add supporting details that will help her get an “A” on the test- this is not a need for extended time. Maybe first try working with a therapist or coach who will help her work in a timely manner. This will be far more beneficial for her in the long run (completing reports, spreadsheets, etc. expeditiously is a terrific job skill).

Schools need to be careful regarding the extended time accommodation due to the tremendous advantage it provides on the SAT. You would be surprised how many families cheat by paying thousands of dollars for a fake dx just to get extra time on the SAT. It is very easy to meet dx criteria for anxiety or adhd, so families think that dx = guarantees accommodations, which it doesn’t.

Best of luck to your daughter - she sounds like a very conscientious learner which will certainly benefit her in the big picture.

Please don’t listen to this poster, who clearly does not understand how ADHD impacts students and what the actual purpose of a 504 is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Thank all for responses. DD had a neuropsyc evaluation done in 4th grade. Her private school provided accommodations, based on the plan outlined in the neuropsyc report until the end of 6th grade, when she switched to MCPS. She has been on medication since 4th grade and she has been seeing a psychiatrist for medication management. When we requested 504 last year in 9th grade, psychiatrist submitted a note to support the need for accommodations. School denied the request and told us that after speaking with teachers, they decided that there was no need.

I want to make sure we are well prepared this time. Should she get another neurophys report? I do not understand why the note from psychiatrist is not sufficient.


Any recommendation for education consultant who can help us advocate and/or gather relevant data?

Thank you.

Are you sure you had a full neuropsych done? Because if you had, you would know that it's 8 hours of testing over 2 days, and VERY in-depth. A "note" by a psychiatrist cannot compare at all.

Also, your last testing is out of date. The school cannot accept it. Usually educational institutions (preschool to university) require that the evaluation be recent, as in within the past 4 years. So it's time to do another neuropsych.

504s and IEPs aren't handed out like candy to everyone with a doctor's note. There has to be a thoroughly documented need, and that need isn't just the diagnosis, as others have explained.

You need to put in the work here, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she hasn't been evaluated since 4th grade, she will need a more recent evaluation to show continuing need for accommodations (not merely that she has ADHD).

This! Also, teacher input is highly valued. When you ask for the 504 again, the school will poll the teachers for their feedback. If there is a teacher who has noticed that your student runs out of time, doesn't turn things in without reminders, fades off during class - that sort of thing - that will help you show school impact.