APS ADHD Support with IEP

[Anonymous]

We are moving to APS from a private school in NY, and are trying to see how our DS will fare in public high school.

He had inattentive ADHD, unmediated, and needs some executive function support. With an IEP I think he would get extended time for tests. What about counseling support? Will some one meet with him weekly or so to help guide his academics and assignments? He is a smart student, gets almost all As now, but is sooo disorganized, messy room, always losing things. Resistant to help from his parents, hence we are hoping a neutral 3rd party support could come from school.

What kind of services should I expect; we won’t be in Arlington until June so haven’t had a chance to go to schools to meet counselors in person.

[Anonymous]

We are at APS. Kids with ADHD sometimes qualify for an IEP, which means they need special instruction and accommodations like extra time, and sometimes qualify for a 504 plan, which just grants accommodations.

The Parent Resource Center had a lot of information on the process on their website. I found the Student Support Manual really helpful when my kid was going through the process initially. They also have a ton of archived webinars.

https://www.apsva.us/parent-resource-center/

Extra time is a common accommodation and I have never heard of much push back on that one. There is also a special education class called Instructional Studies that is supposed to teach executive function skills. I think there is a non- special ed version too. My experience with this at the middle school level is that it just completely depends on the teacher and the mix of students. Sometimes it’s been amazing scaffolding for keeping my kid on track and sometimes it’s been essentially a study hall.

My personal experience has been that a private executive function coach has been a lot more effective for this because it’s one on one. Of course, that’s out of pocket and they aren’t cheap, but I think of it as paying to outsource the nagging to keep our relationship intact. A lot offer services online, so that is something you can start now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at APS. Kids with ADHD sometimes qualify for an IEP, which means they need special instruction and accommodations like extra time, and sometimes qualify for a 504 plan, which just grants accommodations.

The Parent Resource Center had a lot of information on the process on their website. I found the Student Support Manual really helpful when my kid was going through the process initially. They also have a ton of archived webinars.

https://www.apsva.us/parent-resource-center/

Extra time is a common accommodation and I have never heard of much push back on that one. There is also a special education class called Instructional Studies that is supposed to teach executive function skills. I think there is a non- special ed version too. My experience with this at the middle school level is that it just completely depends on the teacher and the mix of students. Sometimes it’s been amazing scaffolding for keeping my kid on track and sometimes it’s been essentially a study hall.

My personal experience has been that a private executive function coach has been a lot more effective for this because it’s one on one. Of course, that’s out of pocket and they aren’t cheap, but I think of it as paying to outsource the nagging to keep our relationship intact. A lot offer services online, so that is something you can start now.

Thanks I’ll check out webinars. I’ve kept hearing that public school can provide better accommodation than private school for ADHD, but a group study hall with executive lessons is a little short of what I was expecting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at APS. Kids with ADHD sometimes qualify for an IEP, which means they need special instruction and accommodations like extra time, and sometimes qualify for a 504 plan, which just grants accommodations.

The Parent Resource Center had a lot of information on the process on their website. I found the Student Support Manual really helpful when my kid was going through the process initially. They also have a ton of archived webinars.

https://www.apsva.us/parent-resource-center/

Extra time is a common accommodation and I have never heard of much push back on that one. There is also a special education class called Instructional Studies that is supposed to teach executive function skills. I think there is a non- special ed version too. My experience with this at the middle school level is that it just completely depends on the teacher and the mix of students. Sometimes it’s been amazing scaffolding for keeping my kid on track and sometimes it’s been essentially a study hall.

My personal experience has been that a private executive function coach has been a lot more effective for this because it’s one on one. Of course, that’s out of pocket and they aren’t cheap, but I think of it as paying to outsource the nagging to keep our relationship intact. A lot offer services online, so that is something you can start now.

Thanks I’ll check out webinars. I’ve kept hearing that public school can provide better accommodation than private school for ADHD, but a group study hall with executive lessons is a little short of what I was expecting?

The only people who say that have non-disabled kids in private school and want to encourage the kids with disabilities to leave.

[Anonymous]

To get an IEP there has to be some impact on his education. With all these, I really doubt you’ll get an IEP. With a 504 plan you can get the extra time and probably get him into co taught classes. Classes have a second teacher in there who helps with scaffolding and various supports. I have two kids in instructional studies. Like described above 1 kid has a study hall person and the other has a true executive coach type person. It definitely varies by class room teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at APS. Kids with ADHD sometimes qualify for an IEP, which means they need special instruction and accommodations like extra time, and sometimes qualify for a 504 plan, which just grants accommodations.

The Parent Resource Center had a lot of information on the process on their website. I found the Student Support Manual really helpful when my kid was going through the process initially. They also have a ton of archived webinars.

https://www.apsva.us/parent-resource-center/

Extra time is a common accommodation and I have never heard of much push back on that one. There is also a special education class called Instructional Studies that is supposed to teach executive function skills. I think there is a non- special ed version too. My experience with this at the middle school level is that it just completely depends on the teacher and the mix of students. Sometimes it’s been amazing scaffolding for keeping my kid on track and sometimes it’s been essentially a study hall.

My personal experience has been that a private executive function coach has been a lot more effective for this because it’s one on one. Of course, that’s out of pocket and they aren’t cheap, but I think of it as paying to outsource the nagging to keep our relationship intact. A lot offer services online, so that is something you can start now.

Thanks I’ll check out webinars. I’ve kept hearing that public school can provide better accommodation than private school for ADHD, but a group study hall with executive lessons is a little short of what I was expecting?

The only people who say that have non-disabled kids in private school and want to encourage the kids with disabilities to leave.

Snap

[Anonymous]

Hi, my kid is also in APS with ADHD. The services are…fine. But down here it is 100% true that public is better than private. The private schools are oversubscribed and the dirty little secret is that they don’t have to deal with any problems they don’t want to. If your kid can’t keep up, they get “counseled out”. APS is rich enough that at a public school that has to provide accommodations that they do so.

However, many of the programs are really focused on kids that also have some level of autism. Instructional Studies in HS is usually paired with Social Skills, and the kids at the HS level are expected to be motivated to accept the relevant support. Some classes are co-taught so there are two teachers in the room to assist kids staying on track. Those classes, however, are not honors AP classes so if you want your kid to be on target for the top schools in the highly competitive APS student cohort, those classes aren’t going to fill the bill. The teachers are good and I’m pleased my kid has access, but I also know my kid is not even close to being on track for a T20 school.

Also, remember, the purpose of the IEP is to make sure that the child can successfully access the curriculum. If your kid is already making As, you’re going to have a harder struggle to prove they need services.

At some point, if your kid is struggling, you need to try the medication. That may just be the sufficient edge to remember to turn stuff in and focus on class. Also some of the things you describe are called being a teenager. And for that one on one work, yes you need to get a private coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, my kid is also in APS with ADHD. The services are…fine. But down here it is 100% true that public is better than private. The private schools are oversubscribed and the dirty little secret is that they don’t have to deal with any problems they don’t want to. If your kid can’t keep up, they get “counseled out”. APS is rich enough that at a public school that has to provide accommodations that they do so.

However, many of the programs are really focused on kids that also have some level of autism. Instructional Studies in HS is usually paired with Social Skills, and the kids at the HS level are expected to be motivated to accept the relevant support. Some classes are co-taught so there are two teachers in the room to assist kids staying on track. Those classes, however, are not honors AP classes so if you want your kid to be on target for the top schools in the highly competitive APS student cohort, those classes aren’t going to fill the bill. The teachers are good and I’m pleased my kid has access, but I also know my kid is not even close to being on track for a T20 school.

Also, remember, the purpose of the IEP is to make sure that the child can successfully access the curriculum. If your kid is already making As, you’re going to have a harder struggle to prove they need services.

At some point, if your kid is struggling, you need to try the medication. That may just be the sufficient edge to remember to turn stuff in and focus on class. Also some of the things you describe are called being a teenager. And for that one on one work, yes you need to get a private coach.

We are unable to try the meds because of medical limitations.

So if our kid is coming in with As and Bs, but really struggling with juggling it all, and wants to take honors or AP classes — there wil just be a 504, ie more time for tests? The co-taught classes won’t be honors, and without a IEP they won’t get one on one counseling.

Would a private school be better for this range on the ADHD spectrum? How do you find a private counselor?

[Anonymous]

there's no 1-1 counseling in public school...With all As, you will not get an IEP. My son almost didn't get an IEP after he returned from private b/c he was testing average but thankfully, the "team" kept it in place after having him in class for a few months. He does not have all As.

look up 504 plans for ADHD. You'll likely get any of those you ask for especially if he has them at his current private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there's no 1-1 counseling in public school...With all As, you will not get an IEP. My son almost didn't get an IEP after he returned from private b/c he was testing average but thankfully, the "team" kept it in place after having him in class for a few months. He does not have all As.

look up 504 plans for ADHD. You'll likely get any of those you ask for especially if he has them at his current private.

It’s not all As. It’s As and Bs, maybe even one C the way the year is going. I think Hs will be much harder to manage, despite being bright. Hence the hope for more support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at APS. Kids with ADHD sometimes qualify for an IEP, which means they need special instruction and accommodations like extra time, and sometimes qualify for a 504 plan, which just grants accommodations.

The Parent Resource Center had a lot of information on the process on their website. I found the Student Support Manual really helpful when my kid was going through the process initially. They also have a ton of archived webinars.

https://www.apsva.us/parent-resource-center/

Extra time is a common accommodation and I have never heard of much push back on that one. There is also a special education class called Instructional Studies that is supposed to teach executive function skills. I think there is a non- special ed version too. My experience with this at the middle school level is that it just completely depends on the teacher and the mix of students. Sometimes it’s been amazing scaffolding for keeping my kid on track and sometimes it’s been essentially a study hall.

My personal experience has been that a private executive function coach has been a lot more effective for this because it’s one on one. Of course, that’s out of pocket and they aren’t cheap, but I think of it as paying to outsource the nagging to keep our relationship intact. A lot offer services online, so that is something you can start now.

Different poster, but also in APS looking for an EF coach that can really personalize their approach. Do you have any names you’d be willing to share?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there's no 1-1 counseling in public school...With all As, you will not get an IEP. My son almost didn't get an IEP after he returned from private b/c he was testing average but thankfully, the "team" kept it in place after having him in class for a few months. He does not have all As.

look up 504 plans for ADHD. You'll likely get any of those you ask for especially if he has them at his current private.

It’s not all As. It’s As and Bs, maybe even one C the way the year is going. I think Hs will be much harder to manage, despite being bright. Hence the hope for more support.

So IEP is not support to reach your potential (my DS could be an all A student with good executive function) but more about propping up those in danger of failing because of ADHD impediments? I should only expect extended test times, not any individual executive coaching?

I would be interested in recs for private pay executive coaches thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at APS. Kids with ADHD sometimes qualify for an IEP, which means they need special instruction and accommodations like extra time, and sometimes qualify for a 504 plan, which just grants accommodations.

The Parent Resource Center had a lot of information on the process on their website. I found the Student Support Manual really helpful when my kid was going through the process initially. They also have a ton of archived webinars.

https://www.apsva.us/parent-resource-center/

Extra time is a common accommodation and I have never heard of much push back on that one. There is also a special education class called Instructional Studies that is supposed to teach executive function skills. I think there is a non- special ed version too. My experience with this at the middle school level is that it just completely depends on the teacher and the mix of students. Sometimes it’s been amazing scaffolding for keeping my kid on track and sometimes it’s been essentially a study hall.

My personal experience has been that a private executive function coach has been a lot more effective for this because it’s one on one. Of course, that’s out of pocket and they aren’t cheap, but I think of it as paying to outsource the nagging to keep our relationship intact. A lot offer services online, so that is something you can start now.

Thanks I’ll check out webinars. I’ve kept hearing that public school can provide better accommodation than private school for ADHD, but a group study hall with executive lessons is a little short of what I was expecting?

What are you expecting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are moving to APS from a private school in NY, and are trying to see how our DS will fare in public high school.

He had inattentive ADHD, unmediated, and needs some executive function support. With an IEP I think he would get extended time for tests. What about counseling support? Will some one meet with him weekly or so to help guide his academics and assignments? He is a smart student, gets almost all As now, but is sooo disorganized, messy room, always losing things. Resistant to help from his parents, hence we are hoping a neutral 3rd party support could come from school.

What kind of services should I expect; we won’t be in Arlington until June so haven’t had a chance to go to schools to meet counselors in person.

Not sure what unmediated means? If you mean unmedicated, why isn't he medicated?

I don't think you are going to get very far expecting schools to solve his problems without even putting him on meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, my kid is also in APS with ADHD. The services are…fine. But down here it is 100% true that public is better than private. The private schools are oversubscribed and the dirty little secret is that they don’t have to deal with any problems they don’t want to. If your kid can’t keep up, they get “counseled out”. APS is rich enough that at a public school that has to provide accommodations that they do so.

However, many of the programs are really focused on kids that also have some level of autism. Instructional Studies in HS is usually paired with Social Skills, and the kids at the HS level are expected to be motivated to accept the relevant support. Some classes are co-taught so there are two teachers in the room to assist kids staying on track. Those classes, however, are not honors AP classes so if you want your kid to be on target for the top schools in the highly competitive APS student cohort, those classes aren’t going to fill the bill. The teachers are good and I’m pleased my kid has access, but I also know my kid is not even close to being on track for a T20 school.

Also, remember, the purpose of the IEP is to make sure that the child can successfully access the curriculum. If your kid is already making As, you’re going to have a harder struggle to prove they need services.

At some point, if your kid is struggling, you need to try the medication. That may just be the sufficient edge to remember to turn stuff in and focus on class. Also some of the things you describe are called being a teenager. And for that one on one work, yes you need to get a private coach.

We are unable to try the meds because of medical limitations.

So if our kid is coming in with As and Bs, but really struggling with juggling it all, and wants to take honors or AP classes — there wil just be a 504, ie more time for tests? The co-taught classes won’t be honors, and without a IEP they won’t get one on one counseling.

Would a private school be better for this range on the ADHD spectrum? How do you find a private counselor?

No there is no 1:1 counseling for ADHD in a public school. The only 1:1 is for counseling for mental health and they are stingy with that. You need to readjust your expectations OP. Maybe stay in private.