I am the mother of a 10 yr old boy diagnosed 5 yrs ago with ADHD. He had been on Aderral XR 15mg until a few days ago when it was increased to 20mg. First of all, has anybody noticed a dramatic increase in irritability and anger management with an increased doseage?
Anyway, my son is in 4th grade. This is his 3rd school due to relocating, not behavior. His 1st school, where he was officially diagnosed, did testing for everything. They set up an IEP for him. Of course, this did not solve everything. He would meet the goals that were set for him, but start new quirks. They worked with him quite well. His 2nd school also worked with him. Assignments were modified so they weren’t so overwhelming. He was able to go to the special education room if he felt he was losing control. He was allowed to take his spelling tests in another room without the other kids being a distraction for him.
His current school seems to want to cure him. I agree that this would be wonderful, but not likely. We had an IEP meeting at the beginning of the year to determine if the teachers felt that his old IEP was still necessary. It was agreed upon by all parties. Even though they agreed to the IEP, they don’t seem to want to follow it. They feel that he should be able to do what the rest of the kids are doing. They feel that him leaving the classroom would make him stand out to the other kids and they may pick on him for that. Taylor doesn’t disrupt the class. He simply puts his head on his desk instead of doing his work. The principal of the school said that the school is not qualified to handle this sort of defiant behavior and recommended that he be sent to an alternative school. The only alternative school around has a reputation for the graduates ending up in prison. The children sent to this school generally have very violent behaviors.
We have an IEP meeting coming up soon. I want to address the fact that the school is NOT following the IEP that has been set up. Taylor is supposed to have one-on-one time. He is supposed to be able to go to the special ed room, not sit in the hallway. I am worried that if I address the problems, the school will try to send him to the alternative school. I don’t know what to do. I want to advocate for my son, but not at the risk of possibly causing more harm. I’m in Illinois. if anybody knows of anybody that can help or any parents groups that I could be involved in. I’m really lost right now and I have no idea what my child needs me to do.
Re: I'm lost-Please help
Good advice above. Take a deep breathe. Document EVERYTHING. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground and threaten (follow through if need be) to get an attorney involved. Following the iep is law. One of my daughters (adhd, GAD) has a 504 and I’ve brought her doctor into meetings with the school. The doctor charges the same as an office visit (insurance covered) and the school realizes that you mean business.
About a year and a half ago my daughter was put on Adderall from Concerta. The Adderall was really a very bad thing for her. She lost her sunny bright disposition, became aggressive, withdrawn, and her anxiety increased. The doctor had tried the switch because of the fear of increasing the Concerta possibly increasing her anxiety. After a month on Adderall we realized that she was literally pulling out her hair. The doctor prescribed Concerta again and she did very well even though there was an increase. I know Adderall works great for some people but not my daughter. She was on a low dose but honestly I think it was the medication itself that was not good for her. I don’t know if that’s your situation but just our experience.
Re: I'm lost-Please help
If the only available alternative school for your son is not sufficient, then I think you need to advocate that the school system send him to a non-public special ed school for children similar to your son at the system’s expense (if one is available). You would need to advocate aggressively for that, and you may want to seek the advice or services of an educational advocate — not just for placement but also for the lack of complying with the IEP. Someone — psychiatrist, psychologist, pediatrician, etc. — will know who the best or better education advocates are. I would call one or two. They are expensive but worth it, and some non-profit organizations provide reimbursement funds for parents who pay for an advocate. I have one now for my son, and we are advocating that the school system place my son (ADHD and social/emotional delays) in a non-public school. It will be a fight, because we will be jumping from least restrictive to more restrictive. But what is available for him is skimpy and not adequate.
Good luck, and do as much research as you can!
Good advice
All the above advice is very sound. We used an alternative school and eventually pulled our oldest out of there and homeschooled him for four years. He did not “fall behind” or suffer in any way, and I think was much better off for not having to put up with harrassment of the type you are describing. Don’t let them bully you! Mentioning attorneys and lawsuits are good tools to get them to back down. Bottom line is, not all kids learn the same way or have the same needs, and that’s why there are IEPs. The law was made because schools have done exactly what this school is doing. Use the law to assert your child’s rights. But don’t be afraid to look at other options if it comes to that. We even helped create a charter school for our youngest, and he is doing GREAT there. No one has EVER suggested that he had “ADHD” or any other problems, and the whole school is individualized and child-centered, so there has never been the need for an IEP. And I guarantee he would do very poorly in a regular classroom and be far more “disruptive” than putting his head down! (That’s DISRUPTIVE? How long have they been teaching?) The setting makes all the difference for these kids, and he deserves a setting that meets his needs, even if it is inconvenient for the schools. If schools automatically adapted to kids’ special needs, there would be no IDEA law. Fight for what you know he needs and deserves!
Oh, and I have seen many cases of stimulant-induced aggression in my professional position. If the change of medication is followed shortly by a significant change in behavior, you can bet that 9 times out of 10, it’s a side effect.
I'm lost-Please help
[color=green]Perhaps check your yellow pages for Youth Advocates I found one in the county of the school district my DD goes to. My DD Youth Advocate attends all CSE/IEP meetings as does her pediatrician.
Also for me what has worked well is I know the NYS educational departments regional worker’s phone number and extension number for the person that is assigned my area. In my case she likes to give me the option of either filing a formal written complaint or having her make a phone call first. So far a phone call from her has brought immediate action. Your state education department should have a web page look around on there and see if you can find the number for the worker for your area.
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First, take a few deep breaths. :)
Next, there is a great site called Starfish Advocacy which can really point you in the right direction. http://www.starfishadvocacy.org They also have classes so that you can learn how to be your child’s best advocate and work with the system.
As for the increased issues with Adderall, aggiation and agression are listed side effects - http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/amphet.htm - look under Overdose Indications and you will find the information. You can also look at the prescribing info at http://www.adderallxr.com/pdf/prescribing_information.pdf?src=mpsad
I think that the school is being pretty silly about the “safe spot”. My dd has a permanent pass to leave any of her classes if she gets upset and needs to take a break. Its much better for them to have a safe place to get themselves under control than to have them lose control in front of their peers.
Keep track of all non-compliance issues. Document EVERYTHING!