Does MCPS Make Any Accommodations with Just and ADHD Diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

DS will be entering K and has been diagnosed with ADHD inattentive but we are on a waiting list for a full neuropscyh eval. Will the school make any accommodations like sitting him close to the teacher until we are able to get a clearer picture of other needs after the eval which won't occur until late fall? Should I at least let them know of the diagnosis so they can keep it in mind when assigning him to a specific teacher?

[Anonymous]

Of course you should tell them if it’s a real diagnosis. How was kid diagnosed since you say he is awaiting an eval?

ADHD falls under Other Heath Impaired for an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course you should tell them if it’s a real diagnosis. How was kid diagnosed since you say he is awaiting an eval?

ADHD falls under Other Heath Impaired for an IEP.

Because we first had to meet with a developmental pediatrician to get preapproval for the eval. We had to answer a questionnaire and his preschool teacher did too. Based on that and an interview they made the initial diagnosis - at least that is what the report says and recommends full eval.

[Anonymous]

MCPS may want to do their own evaluation and look for academic impact when he starts school. ADHD alone will not lead to accommodations if he is succeeding in a standard classroom. I would contact the school and let them know what is going in and they will know how to proceed. When he starts school I would play close attention and document any issues you are concerned about.

[Anonymous]

You can also qualify for a 504 Plan under the ADA which would provide accommodations such extended time on tests, preferred seating, and other reasonable accommodations.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the school. We had a meeting at our school when DS started K and asked for a 504 plan and they said no way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the school. We had a meeting at our school when DS started K and asked for a 504 plan and they said no way.

This was more along the lines of our experience as well.

[Anonymous]

MCPS will give a 504 plan based solely on an ADHD diagnosis, if it is done my a qualified professional AND the school system deems that it is interfering with school activities to a significant degree.
My suggestion, if you want accommodations put in place, is for you to request a meeting with the school (usually the principal and a special education staff member) to determine if special supports are necessary - in writing. At that meeting, bring in evidence and example (not just anecdotes) of what will be significantly challenging that is similar to what will be expected during the school year. That way, you are asking for accommodations to address specific areas of need that you suspect will be a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can also qualify for a 504 Plan under the ADA which would provide accommodations such extended time on tests, preferred seating, and other reasonable accommodations.

504 Plans are based on Section 504 of the 1973 Act. The ADA mandates disability accommodation, but that does not equate for a 504 plan, which carries with it certain rights and obligations. MCPS often tries to get away with providing very skimpy accommodations when a kid is really qualified for a 504 plan and more robust accommodations. that's illegal BTW - to deny a qualified kid a 504 plan but say "well anyway we gave you this other not-504 plan".

[Anonymous]

Our child has an IEP for anxiety and ADHD. We brought in outside testing. Additionally there is pretty significant academic impacts. Without that impact, I don't think they would've given us the IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child has an IEP for anxiety and ADHD. We brought in outside testing. Additionally there is pretty significant academic impacts. Without that impact, I don't think they would've given us the IEP.

IEPs requoire a demonstration of "advetrse educational impact" of the disorder. 504 plans do not, contrary to what some PPs above suggest. You can get a 504 plan if you are a kid with ADHD, even if yoh are a straight A student in advanced classes.

[Anonymous]

We had no difficulty getting a 504 plan for ADHD accommodations for our child in MCPS. The school counselors were wonderful and key to the process.

[Anonymous]

"We had no difficulty getting a 504 plan for ADHD accommodations for our child in MCPS"

Same here.

[Anonymous]

We didn’t have a problem at all getting 504 plan for our son who was diagnosed through a clinical psychologist. None of the accommodations that we have are extra special but it is good to sit down with teacher and counselor once a year to make sure everyone is on same page.

[Anonymous]

Yes— we got a 504 and accommodations. This seems pretty common from my conversations with other parents