ADHD and advocating for IEP vs 504

[Anonymous]

DC (8yo) has ADHD and has been medicated with stimulants for 2 yrs. We have observed over this timeframe that he keeps dropping in percentiles when he takes stdized tests (started high 90s, now is in the middle), and we are wondering what if anything we should be doing to support him in his learning. He has a very surface level 504 and was never evaluated for an IEP. Curious if an IEP could help and what specific services we should explore to help him reach his potential. He would definitely benefit from support to develop social emotional skills but I don’t know how to make the case. Welcome any thoughts from those who have btdt

[Anonymous]

Dropping percentiles could be a sign that he's not learning effectively with just gen ed tools and that working with a special ed teacher might be helpful (in ES, the special ed teacher could push in a few hours a week). You can get time with the social worker/counselor with a 504 (at least in DC), so that might be an appropriate ask if you can show how his ADHD is impacting his relationships with peers.

[Anonymous]

You would have an impossible time getting an IEP unless he is well below grade level--unless he has significant behavior issues as well. Most kids with ADHD have a surface level 504--schools may or may not follow them well.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, IEP is not to reach potential.

I have been told that for an IEP a child needs to be 1+ grade below (usually 2). You can ask for an evaluation in writing.

Understood.org has great resources on how to request an evaluation and the process for an IEP.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/requesting-an-evaluation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You would have an impossible time getting an IEP unless he is well below grade level--unless he has significant behavior issues as well. Most kids with ADHD have a surface level 504--schools may or may not follow them well.

This. You won't get it.

[Anonymous]

What is your observation about how he is learning? If you look at the standards for his grade, can he meet them? What does his teacher say about benchmarks?

Standardized test scores dropping can be about stamina for test-taking, which is hard for kids with ADHD.

It can also be unrelated, however. A lot of kids enter K really well prepared, so perform well on standardized tests when compared to kids who had fewer or lower quality preK options.

Once those kids access formal education, they start to catch up and you start to see kids who were just well prepared drop.