What services are available under an IEP for child with ADHD and Anxiety

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I feel your pain. I could have written much of your post when my DC was in 6th grade. Here is what helped my DC most, even though it was not a silver bullet. DC's last period teacher met with DC every day for approx. 10 minutes. That teacher would have a checklist of every assignment DC had from other teachers and what materials were needed. The teacher would first ask DC to show her DC's task list and materials. If there were missing items/materials on DC's list, DC would have to physically write in the missing tasks in front of the teacher and go get the missing materials. Teacher also looked at homework folder to see if there was anything in it that should have been turned in. DC found theses sessions highly annoying - the result was that DC would try to make sure everything was on her list or try to sneak out of class without having the session. So it was hit or miss but the repetition of the task had a net positive impact over time. Two years later - forgetting assignments and materials are much less of an issue. Still working on completing every part of every assignment . . . .

Middle school is where it gets really tough for kids with ADHD/executive function issues - I would not take a hands-off approach but I would develop something that gets someone other than you and DH involved because what you're going through can really stress out the whole family. Best of luck.

Was this in middle school? My son's teacher does this for him in 5th grade and he will need it in middle school. Did he need an IEP or a 504 to have a teacher helping him write down all his assignments and packing accordingly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your experience (and that of others who posted) is not unusual, OP -- sadly. DC had an IEP and does have anxiety and ADHD. Unfortunately, school was a huge part of the anxiety piece because of learning disabilities. In middle school, a private therapist told us that you have to let your child fail. The therapist was right -- we ultimately switched DC to a private school and it's made a big difference.

ADHD and the issues it creates for kids itself can also cause anxiety.

Even with an IEP in public schools, the organizational piece is a huge problem - because of the number of different classes and lack of coordination among teachers, at least in our experience. In private school, with very small classes and teacher coordination, this has improved a lot and they continue to work with DC.

Basically, the therapist was right. In elementary school and the beginning of middle school, we advocated for, and propped up DC. That just masked the problem - namely, inadequate school services, supports, and interventions.

Good luck!

Which private has teacher coordination?

Any of the privates (Commonwealth, Oakwood, Lab, Sienna) serving kids with learning disabilities and/or ADHD have this to varying degrees.