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Becoming An Active Partner In Your Youngster's 504 Plan ADHD

By Eric Hamilton


Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder seems to be almost an epidemic in children these days. There are a lot of theories as to why. In the meantime, kids are growing up having difficulties when it comes to paying attention, behaving appropriately and interacting with others. School systems are adjusting classrooms to accommodate the learning challenges of these special students. As the parent, there are ways you can be an active partner in your youngster's 504 plan ADHD.

The idea is to give attention deficit kids some extra assistance to keep them from falling behind their peers. Plans offer audio books, additional testing time, and assistance with note taking. To make sure your child is getting all the assistance necessary, you must become proactive. You need to contact teachers and administrators to let them know you will be attending their planning sessions regarding your youngster. They should value your input.

A lot of school administrators try and standardize these plans because it's the easiest way to handle them. No two children are alike however, and one plan won't be effective for every child. The disease affects different children differently. Some are inattentive, and some are hyperactive and impulsive. Plans must be flexible enough to address these issues.

You should not assume that these plans cover all aspects of your child's education. One school may only provide assistance in the classroom, but not at assemblies or on field trips. You know that when your youngster is required to sit quietly for an extended period of time there could be problems. You should talk to the administrators about adjusting the plan to accommodate these difficulties.

Official documents and contracts may have terminology that is unfamiliar to you. It can often seem vague. When you read something you don't understand, you need to ask for clarification. If plans do not seem to specify exactly what tools and materials will be used to assist your little one, you can ask that more specific language be inserted into the plans.

When you have questions about some aspect of your kid's plan, you need to know who to ask. The classroom teacher and the school nurse may be able to help you with specific issues. The committee leader is the person you need to contact if you have questions about overall planning or when you are concerned that the agreed upon plan isn't being followed. The committee leader is the person with the ultimate responsibility for implementing the plans.

Your participation in your little one's education and special academic requirements will be an ongoing process. It takes much more than attendance at one meeting a year. You may have to remind the administration that you want to be involved. You have to sit with your child and get his feedback.

Your child has a right to a quality education. If he has special challenges, and accommodations have to be made to ensure his right, so be it. As the parent, you have to be an active advocate for your child to make sure that happens.




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