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Anyone done a 504 plan for their kids?

KarlVP

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My daughter has been struggling in school with reading and writing. We took her to a doctor and he diagnosed her with a learning disability. She's a whiz at math and science stuff, but reading books out loud and writing are hard for her. She has anxiety issues and is afraid to stand in front of the class for show and tell etc.

The wife is the same way going through school and had to be medicated to finish her masters degree in college because she was terrified to stand in front of the class and present something.

So the doctor didn't recommend any medication for the kiddo, but he did want us to develop a 504 plan with the school that acknowledges the school understands the kid's issues.

We just had a meeting with her teacher and the school counselor and they are going to draft up an individual plan for the kid. Is this something I need a lawyer to review? I don't want the kid being held back in school because of this stupid COVID bullshit. I truly believe in person learning and having to deal with other kids would improve my kid's social skills and anxiety issues.
 
Sounds like you are on the right track, just make sure the school doesnt just push here through "easy" classes that she gets great grades in.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed with having a learning disability so the school just dropped him to the "special" classes that he could wiz through without any effort. As a junior in high school he realized that the only problems he had was due to the school not challenging him enough and at that point they refused to do anything. He graduated not being able to read and ended up a dumb ironworker like me.

Moral of the story is dont let your daughter become a dumb ironworker
 
as i understand it from my wifes venting of work drama over the years as a special ed teacher - 504 is he first step to the kid being classified or what ever they call it. if things continue she will be transitioned to an IEP (individual educational plan) which requires testing of the childs cognitive abilities and all kinds of other jazz. she has plenty of kids on her case load who have IEPs or are on 504s that function in the general population and are not in special ed. its basically a way for the teachers to know the kid has some short comings, they are being monitored and what accommodations she will have for her shortcomings. her accommodations can be simple things like she cant be called on to read in front of the class, more time on assignments, all the way to the extreme ones when the parts are insane where the child cant be disciplined, scolded or be address with a raised voice.
 
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Is that anything like a IEP or IDP?


Anxiety and "disabilities' are one thing, but don't let them put her in any class she shouldn't be in. Public speaking is a think most people dread. Some people have a particularly hard time with it. It doesn't mean they should be shuffled off into the standard level classes or special ed. FWIW
 
as i understand it from my wifes venting of work drama over the years as a special ed teacher - 504 is he first step to the kid being classified or what ever they call it. if things continue she will be transitioned to an IEP (individual educational plan) which requires testing of the childs cognitive abilities and all kinds of other jazz. she has plenty of kids on her case load who have IEPs or are on 504s that function in the general population and are not in special ed. its basically a way for the teachers to know the kid has some short comings, they are being monitored and what accommodations she will have for her shortcomings. her accommodations can be simple things like she cant be called on to read in front of the class, more time on assignments, all the way to the extreme ones when the parts are insane where the child cant be disciplined, scolded or be address with a raised voice.

This is precisely what it is. What I would recommend is making sure the teachers are aware of it, and then make sure that she being is accommodated for it. It isn't a huge thing, it just means that the child has a different set of needs than other kids. Happens more than you would think.

Myself, I don't think a lawyer is needed at all. BUT....if it is being ignored and no one is listening that becomes a bigger issue.
 
Is that anything like a IEP or IDP?


Anxiety and "disabilities' are one thing, but don't let them put her in any class she shouldn't be in. Public speaking is a think most people dread. Some people have a particularly hard time with it. It doesn't mean they should be shuffled off into the standard level classes or special ed. FWIW

Agreed. And it can be worked through with the right teacher and methods. Not a SPED issue at all. I had a kid who couldn't speak almost at all, totally terrified. However, with the right methods she scored the highest on her senior boards and went to Texas A&M successfully.
 
This is precisely what it is. What I would recommend is making sure the teachers are aware of it, and then make sure that she being is accommodated for it. It isn't a huge thing, it just means that the child has a different set of needs than other kids. Happens more than you would think.

Myself, I don't think a lawyer is needed at all. BUT....if it is being ignored and no one is listening that becomes a bigger issue.

My wife had this setup for our kids in the past. It was very successful for them. I’ve only been on the periphery. The counselors and subsequently the teachers take it very seriously and it holds them accountable.
 
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My wife had this setup for our kids in the past. It was very successful for them. I’ve only been on the periphery. The teachers counselors and subsequently teachers take it very seriously and holds them accountable.

Yes. You don't screw around with a 504. Teachers follow them.
 
Avoid any diagnosis if you can. Unless it’s truly a real disability. Many careers will be limited by any kind of psych diagnosis even when it’s a non issue.
 
We got a call from the school principal today. It was funny because I had to call him back, we were on the chairlift at Stevens Pass skiing and I didn't want to miss the call. Trying to get my phone out of my pocket with all my gear on dangling over the snow had my daughter laughing her ass off.

Anyway, her reading assessment is on Monday with the school counselor. They are also recommending she attend in person reading club on MWF.
 
504 covers a lot of things. My son has one set up for his type 1 diabetes that deals with monitoring his blood sugar values and how to treat when high or low.

They always start off the meetings telling us we can bring anyone with us. Lawyer, grandma, know it all friend, whoever. We usually bring his 4 year old brother and he colors the whole time :laughing:. Never did anything like hire counsel to sit in, but his doctor writes up orders for the school nurse that get entered into the plan. They can ONLY do what is in those orders as far as treatment so make sure you account for your kid’s specific variables if applicable.

If the plan isn’t working, change it. Whenever you want as many times as you want.
 
Mrs 89Breaker here. My husband asked me to throw in my two cents as I've handled the 504s for our 6th grade son, as well as an extensive IEP for our 2nd grade son, for the last several years. There's some great information that's already been shared, and I can only speak to my experience here in the Midwest, but I'm so thankful for the plans our boys have.

Bottom line up front, in my experience you don't need a lawyer unless the school doesn't implement the agreed accommodations. 504 plans, as well as Individual Education Plans (IEPs), are covered under the American Disabilities Act, and implementation should be taken very seriously by the district. As alluded to above, any student can be on a 504, "special needs" or not. 504s only formalize accommodations that can offered to any students that need them, without giving an unfair advantage over classmates. For example, our oldest son (who has ADHD) is given preferential seating (near the teacher and the front of the class) and may also take up to an additional 10 minutes to complete tests. He is also allowed to have a fidget spinner or stress ball in his desk, but is only allowed to use it as long as it doesn't become a distraction to his peers. Our district also allows for non traditional seats (yoga balls, rolling desk chairs, etc) as accommodations, but I've also had it written into my oldest's 504 that he can stand at his desk to work as needed. His plan gets formally reviewed and adjusted every 12 months, but informal adjustments have been made throughout the academic year as well. If there comes a time you all feel these accommodations are no longer necessary, then the plan is formally closed. Easy peasy.

Based on what you've already shared, there's no reason to think your daughter should be held back. These accommodations are meant to promote student success in the classroom, and since they've already suggested a reading club, it sounds like they, too, invested in her success. As a mother, it was very emotionally difficult to admit my boys needed help, but it was worth it to watch them blossom the way they have. The best advice I can give to parents just starting this journey is to not be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something, make them explain it to you until you're comfortable. If you don't agree with a suggested accommodation, say so. Work to a compromise that everyone can be happy with. You're all in that room to make sure your daughter has the support she needs to reach her full potential!
 
Yes. You don't screw around with a 504. Teachers follow them.

My student teaching was in a 4th grade classroom. 28 kids. 24 of them had 504s and IEPs. Trial by fire I guess. That was just miserable.
 
Mrs 89Breaker here. My husband asked me to throw in my two cents as I've handled the 504s for our 6th grade son, as well as an extensive IEP for our 2nd grade son, for the last several years. There's some great information that's already been shared, and I can only speak to my experience here in the Midwest, but I'm so thankful for the plans our boys have.

Thanks to you and all who have added comments. This makes me fell a lot better.
 
Everyone that has posted has already hit the nail on the head. My 11yr old has had an IEP in place for about 4 yrs now. As been stated, it holds the school/teacher accountable for providing an appropriate learning environment. The bigger advocate you are, the better is will be tailored to your specific needs. One of the few times you can use the "kindler, gentler, don't wanna hurt feelings" thing to your advantage. Get everything rolling, and it's an ever evolving process as life changes. Nothing to be worried about, especially if you think it's going to ever be a label. It's there for your kid
 
My daughter has been struggling in school with reading and writing. We took her to a doctor and he diagnosed her with a learning disability. She's a whiz at math and science stuff, but reading books out loud and writing are hard for her. She has anxiety issues and is afraid to stand in front of the class for show and tell etc.

This is a temporary thing right? It seems like you would be doing her a disservice in the future if the solution to her fear of public speaking is to just tell the teachers to not make her do it.

It seems that getting her to read in front of you or your wife in private would be a better approach. Just one of you then both, maybe add some stuffed animals. Once she is comfortable enough to be heckled by siblings, she is good to go. :) Maybe put the plan in place for this year, but eventually she needs to learn to do it. She doesn't have to be good at it, but its going to be expected to some degree later on in life.

Public speaking is one of the most common fears people have. Show and tell is one of the best ways to get kids used to doing it.
 
This is a temporary thing right? It seems like you would be doing her a disservice in the future if the solution to her fear of public speaking is to just tell the teachers to not make her do it.

It seems that getting her to read in front of you or your wife in private would be a better approach. Just one of you then both, maybe add some stuffed animals. Once she is comfortable enough to be heckled by siblings, she is good to go. :) Maybe put the plan in place for this year, but eventually she needs to learn to do it. She doesn't have to be good at it, but its going to be expected to some degree later on in life.

Public speaking is one of the most common fears people have. Show and tell is one of the best ways to get kids used to doing it.

I 100% agree. The school already has her in reading club. Her first lesson was today. The learning disability adds to anxiety. She is not a perfectionist, she is just afraid to make mistakes.

She already puts on "shows" with her little sister that they make up. Mostly for the wife and I but they can sometimes do three or four shows a day when the grandparents are in town. So getting up in front of people isn't a non starter, she has to be comfortable with her abilities first.

She will get through this. The 504 is just a stepping stone that can be rescinded when the time comes.
 
I would say that no piece of paper, no matter how many laws and regulations are behind it, will turn a shitty school into a good school. My son has an IEP. We have many conversations with the teacher and administration about what our expectations are and what his goals are. The IEP is a formality at that point. It's used mainly by the school administration to free up funds if he needs something that's over and above what other students are getting. If you are in a garbage situation, get the IEP (or 504, whatever your state calls it), but get the hell out of there any way you can. They will be resentful of your demands/expectations/requests and do everything possible to hold to the 'letter of the law' and not the spirit. It also allows (at least in their minds) some administrations to basically 'write off' your child as someone who can't be helped.
 
I would say that no piece of paper, no matter how many laws and regulations are behind it, will turn a shitty school into a good school. My son has an IEP. We have many conversations with the teacher and administration about what our expectations are and what his goals are. The IEP is a formality at that point. It's used mainly by the school administration to free up funds if he needs something that's over and above what other students are getting. If you are in a garbage situation, get the IEP (or 504, whatever your state calls it), but get the hell out of there any way you can. They will be resentful of your demands/expectations/requests and do everything possible to hold to the 'letter of the law' and not the spirit. It also allows (at least in their minds) some administrations to basically 'write off' your child as someone who can't be helped.


This. The school my son was at (normal small town only cares about fawking football public school) all but refused to do anything. Their idea of an IEP was hey wanted to put him in special ed type classes and get him on medication to control his "problems". He had just started going blind then and was having a very hard time dealing with it. Which I can't even imagine what that would be like at 11 years old. He is pretty much blind now but at a school for the blind. He has went from b"s and c's needing to be medicated. to making 100's almost all of his classes a grade above what he is in with no medication at all and not crying about having to go to school everyday. They care much more about how he is actually doing and understands he is going to be frustrated a lot. I get pissed because im getting old and have to move things around to see them. Trying to go from everyday English and walking to learning brail and walking with a cane has to be tough.
 
slowlygettingthere-I know it’s frustrating, but parents caring about their kids will always lead to better outcomes than trusting the government to do it. Don’t care what your background is, how rich or poor. Keep fighting the good fight.
 
IEP is something that is empirical and done through testing to find areas of concern, deficiencies and/or learning disabilities. Then those testing results lead to an IEP (Individual Educational Plan).

504 is basically just a formal list of accommodations that the kid may need and agreed upon by the parent, teachers, admin of school.

You could PROBABLY achieve that same results if you kid has a decent teacher and you talk to them about whatever you are looking for as far as accommodations. However, long term both can and should follow the kids throughout if school life until the parent doesn't want it anymore so doing a 504 will guard against the potential teacher that doesn't want to let Mary sit anywhere she wants, use her headphones in class, etc.

A 504 can be anything. Extra time, seating in a particular spot in the class, a note home everyday stating good/bad behavior, using text to speech while testing, or having two quarters and a penny on their desk throughout the day because it calms them.

I have a kid right now that we are doing a 504 on because the parent is rightly concerned that middle school teachers may not allow some of the same practices that we do right now in elementary. There is nothing major as far as accommodations but this will legally follow this kid and his next school and teachers cannot refuse to abide by it.

I wouldn't get a lawyer involved personally. One, it's probably not needed unless the school refuses REASONABLE accommodations. Two, a lawyer just really draws a line in the sand that doesn't need to be there and that you don't want with your kid's teacher. Think about your own job if your client, customer, whatever walks in with a lawyer before things ever even went to shit. It just causes a different tone and relationship. You don't want that for your kid. They will always be held at arms length and treated with extra caution.
 
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