If your child has ADHD, 504 plan or IEP?

[Anonymous]

My child has mixed expressive receptive language disorder and we suspect adhd as well. Waiting on psychological evaluation to be completed but wondering if adhd is confirmed, would this just mean a 504 plan or should I be Seeking out an IEP? He is 8 and will be heading in to third grade next year. Thanks

[Anonymous]

I’m in the process of setting up the 504 for my son who had ADHD inattentive. Wait until you get the results and go from there.

[Anonymous]

My son who has ADHD had an IEP in ES, a 504 in MS and now an IEP in HS. Really it isn’t the diagnosis that matters. It’s the needs. If he can be successful with accommodations then a 504 plan is what’s needed. If he needs services plus accommodations then it’s an IEP that he needs.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I would start by requesting an IEP eligibility meeting. If your child only needs a 504, great, but this way you have very specific regulatory guardrails around the process, which is helpful when you’re trying to get services in place.

[Anonymous]

We have a 504 plan because our son doesn't need any services from the school, he just needs some classroom accommodations.

[Anonymous]

504

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son who has ADHD had an IEP in ES, a 504 in MS and now an IEP in HS. Really it isn’t the diagnosis that matters. It’s the needs. If he can be successful with accommodations then a 504 plan is what’s needed. If he needs services plus accommodations then it’s an IEP that he needs.

This. Mine has a 504, for accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Are you asking for the language disorder or ADHD or both? He should already have an IEP for the language disorder under a language disorder and they would probably add it to the IEP.

[Anonymous]

If you have an IEP for adhd, what services do you have?

[Anonymous]

My DS has both MERLD and ADHD-Inattentive. Definitely ask for an IEP. You can get an IEP even if grades are not failing. DS got one essentially because the gap between his achievement scores and IQ was quite significant even though achievement fell in the "average" range.

The difference between a 504 and IEP is the need for "special instruction". DS gets special instruction in organizing papers, how to take notes in class, how to break assignment papers down, how to use a planner, etc. For language issues, my DS ended up needing specialized reading instruction, different spelling, grammar and punctuation instruction and writing instruction. Your needs may vary depending on the specific profile of strengths and weaknesses for MERLD. My DS also gets a variety of accommodations: copy of class notes, computer use, access to predictive speller/spell check, extra time on all assignments, ability to reschedule deadlines, extra breaks, etc.

FYI, please do not listen to anyone in your journey who tells you that kids with ADHD can only get 504 plans or kids with "good grades" are not eligible for plans at all. both of those are simply inconsistent with the law.

[Anonymous]

We have 504.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have an IEP for adhd, what services do you have?

OT, Counseling, and speech (pragmatics, phonics - kid is articulate w/ huge vocabulary)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS has both MERLD and ADHD-Inattentive. Definitely ask for an IEP. You can get an IEP even if grades are not failing. DS got one essentially because the gap between his achievement scores and IQ was quite significant even though achievement fell in the "average" range.

The difference between a 504 and IEP is the need for "special instruction". DS gets special instruction in organizing papers, how to take notes in class, how to break assignment papers down, how to use a planner, etc. For language issues, my DS ended up needing specialized reading instruction, different spelling, grammar and punctuation instruction and writing instruction. Your needs may vary depending on the specific profile of strengths and weaknesses for MERLD. My DS also gets a variety of accommodations: copy of class notes, computer use, access to predictive speller/spell check, extra time on all assignments, ability to reschedule deadlines, extra breaks, etc.

FYI, please do not listen to anyone in your journey who tells you that kids with ADHD can only get 504 plans or kids with "good grades" are not eligible for plans at all. both of those are simply inconsistent with the law.

Not OP, but curious what grade your DS is? (I posted about an IEE meeting recently). These sound like supports my DC may need now and down the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS has both MERLD and ADHD-Inattentive. Definitely ask for an IEP. You can get an IEP even if grades are not failing. DS got one essentially because the gap between his achievement scores and IQ was quite significant even though achievement fell in the "average" range.

The difference between a 504 and IEP is the need for "special instruction". DS gets special instruction in organizing papers, how to take notes in class, how to break assignment papers down, how to use a planner, etc. For language issues, my DS ended up needing specialized reading instruction, different spelling, grammar and punctuation instruction and writing instruction. Your needs may vary depending on the specific profile of strengths and weaknesses for MERLD. My DS also gets a variety of accommodations: copy of class notes, computer use, access to predictive speller/spell check, extra time on all assignments, ability to reschedule deadlines, extra breaks, etc.

FYI, please do not listen to anyone in your journey who tells you that kids with ADHD can only get 504 plans or kids with "good grades" are not eligible for plans at all. both of those are simply inconsistent with the law.

is this in FCPS, or MCO? I have a similar situation - and FCPS is refusing IEP based on just what you've stated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has both MERLD and ADHD-Inattentive. Definitely ask for an IEP. You can get an IEP even if grades are not failing. DS got one essentially because the gap between his achievement scores and IQ was quite significant even though achievement fell in the "average" range.

The difference between a 504 and IEP is the need for "special instruction". DS gets special instruction in organizing papers, how to take notes in class, how to break assignment papers down, how to use a planner, etc. For language issues, my DS ended up needing specialized reading instruction, different spelling, grammar and punctuation instruction and writing instruction. Your needs may vary depending on the specific profile of strengths and weaknesses for MERLD. My DS also gets a variety of accommodations: copy of class notes, computer use, access to predictive speller/spell check, extra time on all assignments, ability to reschedule deadlines, extra breaks, etc.

FYI, please do not listen to anyone in your journey who tells you that kids with ADHD can only get 504 plans or kids with "good grades" are not eligible for plans at all. both of those are simply inconsistent with the law.

is this in FCPS, or MCO? I have a similar situation - and FCPS is refusing IEP based on just what you've stated.

It’s absolutely illegal to refuse an IEP if a child is performing at or above grade level. Sounds like it’s time for you to lawyer up.