504 Plans

[ShaesMom]

Here is a link to an article in IG Living about Special Education Plans.

 

http://www.igliving.com/web_files/feat_a-s...pec_edplans.pdf

[EAMom]

and a PS

for those who have a TS diagnosis...remember it is the LAW for them to give the accommodations needed under IDEA ...classified "other health impaired"

 

some schools are great with providing what is needed but some can be a real pain!!!! with TS diagnosis you have the law on your side to demand the accommodations required for someone with TS

 

PANDAS (non-tourettes) kids can also get classifed as "OHI" (other health impaired).

[EAMom]

Our dd also already had an existing IEP for speech. B/c of that, we added on to the IEP. Apparently, if you already have an IEP you can't also have a 504. If her speech problem resolves, then we can switch to a 504.

 

Interestingly, I read somewhere that basal ganglia problems (PANDAS) can be a cause of speech/articulation problems.

[thereishope]

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Edited October 18, 2016 by vickie

[poetmom]

WOW! So much information here and things to consider. I really appreciate everyone who's spoken up to share their thoughts and experience on the matter.

I spoke with the school nurse today who told me she'll be at the meeting on Wed, that she didn't really know what a 504 plan was or how to implement it, but would find out prior to the meeting. I kind of expected her to have more knowledge, but am reserving judgement. Afterall, maybe that will work in our favor, right? :-D

 

I also really appreciate the suggestion of Azith, which I will look into.

 

Will keep you all updated on the Wed meeting and progression of the 504 plan so we can compare notes.

 

Thanks,

Robin

[Chemar]

Our dd also already had an existing IEP for speech. B/c of that, we added on to the IEP. Apparently, if you already have an IEP you can't also have a 504. If her speech problem resolves, then we can switch to a 504.

 

Interestingly, I read somewhere that basal ganglia problems (PANDAS) can be a cause of speech/articulation problems.

 

my son has ADD and CAPD which necessitated the initial IEP

however, when he was switched to a 504 at our request, they built in the accommodations for his learning disabilities so that what he had on the IEP was covered in his 504 plan

 

altho you cant have an IEP and 504 simultaneously, the 504 definitely can cover the ground in the IEP, and build on it to accommodate the additional health, emotional, behavioral etc needs

[thereishope]

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Edited October 18, 2016 by vickie

[dcmom]

Hi everyone. School just started here. The first day went well, but this morning she had a little separation anxiety. I am working on setting up meetings to establish a 504 plan. To round out the pandas, my dd has always been very shy. She has borderline selective mutism, which she was really doing great with, until the pandas hit. Pandas has put us two steps back in that, and also (I think) schoolwork- she lost so much time last year.

 

Oh well, I just wanted to post to ask those that are working on 504's to post the list of accomodations they are asking for. I am thinking:

 

call me immediately if she is suffering higher than usual anxiety- it could be the start of an exacerbation

excuse absences and lateness- I will pull her out (or she may be late) if she has an episode, or if strep runs rampant in the class (which it did last year)

notify me of strep cases in class, and if there are outbreaks of strep in the school

notify me in advance of all assessments

pair Julia with her close friends in new situations

If possible keep Julia with the teacher, and not aides or parents, during activities

 

I would love any other thoughts....

 

PS: Last year (mostly before we knew about pandas), I spent so much time forcing her to go to school. This year I can't do it- it puts her (and all of us) through so much stress. I would be open to homeschooling, but she loves school, however if she has an exacerbation, I would be happy to keep her home for a month (or whatever it takes) rather than going through the agony of forcing her to go. Sigh....

 

I love this forum, and all of the parents on it. It has been my life line for the last 6 months. But, I have to say, I get such a pit in my stomach when a new parent joins....

[ShaesMom]

Does Julia have any siblings? I asked to be notified of any significant illnesses in my nonPandas childs class as well (strep & flu) so that I could keep an eye on him and therefore protect her. I also had them include that she has significant leg pain and now migraines and that participation in PE and any other activities is at her discretion and they have to respect her decision. If she abuses it-we can reevaluate.