Bipolar son denied IEP. Eligible for 504 plan. Gets SSI?

Question

My son whom will be six in July will be entering Kindergarten in the Fall. He has Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. I requested an IEP for him to be in place before school starts. The school did an evaluation and said that he is not significantly delayed academically so he does not yet qualify for an IEP. They want to wait and see how he does in school before giving him an IEP. I know that he will need one because he has severe behavior, attention, irritability, social, and hyperness problems related to his disorder. I am wondering if he is eligible for a Section 504 Plan until the school can get to know him better? He gets SSI for his Disorder.

****Please do not judge me or my son for his disability. It is a real, diagnosed disorder that I have gotten diagnosed by three highly qualified doctors including SSI. Unless you have a child with this disability you don't know what it is like to raise one so please do not judge me or my son!

Answer 1

Definately pursue the 504-there should be a plan in place to deal with any fluctautions in his condition....

My state does have a classification of Emotionally Disturbed and also Other Health Impaired-you may not need to be academically behind to be in one of these groups-you only need to be in danger of falling behind.

A 504 plan may work if he only needs behavioral support, but is other wise capable of understanding and completing the lessons--doesn't need in class support, resource room, only minimal changes such as breaking down assignments-extending due dates-increased reminders to help with organization-

I knew a girl that would have the teacher review her homework notebook and sign it at the end of the day-to ensure she had everything written down and the parents reviewed it at home..

Determine what services he would get through an IEP that he won't get through a 504 plan.

If he is going to be allowed to miss a lot of work or given alternative work or have it presented in an alternative manner-than an IEP would be appropriate.  IF he cannot be successful in a mainstream class and needs a smaller structured classroom-then an IEP would be needed.

If you plan to keep him in the mainstream class-have him responsible for the same material in a similar manner as the other students than a 504 plan would be appropriate.

Answer 2

See how he does the first few weeks of school, and once he needs it (if he needs it), revisit it.  If the school is still giving you a hard time, go to the principal, the superintendent and get the support of your doctors.  Fight for it if you think he needs it.  But, also make sure you don't "set him up to fail"...after all you want him to be able to function in class needing as few accommodations as possible.  Some schools can be a royal pain in the *** if special education is not recognized at your school or if no one knows how to handle it, but try talking to your doctors and see what they have to say too.  Sorry if this post didn't really help, but you should give it a shot w/o the plan and add it if needed.

I wish you luck.

Answer 3

You stated, "he is not significantly delayed academically so he does not yet qualify for an IEP"...this may be true, but what was the outcome on his social skills and behavior on the assessment? This part of testing can likely warrant an IEP. Typically regular education teachers are requested to take 6-weeks of data in order for an SST (Student Support Team) to take place where a group of teachers decide interventions/modificationsaccommodation... in the classroom to help your son. If these do not work, a referral to special education is granted. Most likely he will be placed in a highly structured classroom such as EBD - Emotional and behavioral disorders.

I taught little boy in an EBD classroom who was diagnosed with mental and behavioral problems. Everyone in his family, but his mother was diagnosed with some form of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder among other things.  This child was very smart and could prove so when he was on task; however he lacked social skills because of reasons he could not control. Mom did not want him on medication and I can understand that being he was so young (5). I'm sure over the 3 years since I've seen him that he is more than likely medicated now.

I commend you for standing up for your son and accepting the fact that he has real problems.  Many parents are in denial and I know it is hard what you are going through.  I'm sure your son could be eligible for a  504 plan, but you're really going to have to advocate for your son to get one. Lastly, he should get SSI...I see nothing wrong with that at all.

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

I developed this problem as an adult, and I feel terrible your kid has to deal with it so early. It's got to be very frustrating for the two of you.

It's really hard to get mental illness taken seriously i've found. I developed the symptoms while I was in nursing school, and when I started losing it and getting irrational I was accused of drug use and everything else. And this was by other soon to be nurses! I finally had to pull out of school and go on Social Security because school and work both proved impossible for me. (it took 5 years for SS to approve me too, even though I was diagnosed by 4 drs and hospitalized over and over for the illness. The world doesn't understand this disease until they live with it or know someone who does.)

I hate to say this, but maybe once the boy's teachers find he needs more individual attention, they will place him as he needs. Maybe they are hesitant because mental health diagnoses can be hard to prove up front. A lot of people have to see it to believe it.

I don't know what else to say. I have a 5 yr old and every sign he shows of being ill I get scared because of my family history of the illness. No one really knows how it feels. I wish you two all the luck in the world.

Answer 5

As an educator in Special Education for the past nine years, I know that in New Mexico, testing would have shown that his other behaviors (which are obviously related to his bipolar disorder) would qualify his acceptance into Exceptional Programs.  A 504 plan (in my opinion) just delays the inevitable.   Your child should qualify now and how long is his school going to "wait" before they find out that he is not keeping up with his grade level?  Early detection is the key to helping your child so he will NOT have to struggle as he continues through school.  Continue to have your child evaluated.  Do NOT give up!!! Your child deserves the best  no matter what!

Answer 6

I have a daughter with learning disabilities. She started Speech through our school district when she was 4. So she already had a case study down and a IEP in place for her. I was in a program called Parents As Teachers (PAT). They helped me.

I am interested to know exactly what is a 504 plan. I looked online but don't really understand it.

I did have to fight with the school to do another full case evaluation on her when she was 8. I had to write a letter into the school saying I wanted a full case evaluation study done. Did he have this done? If he didn't I think he should. The other things is go to your School District. Ask to speak to the person that is charge of Special Ed. Sit down and talk to them about your son. They will be the one best help you. Ask about procedures and how they do things. So that way you can understand how the system works. There is always ways to work around the system.

I knew before my daughter was in school that she needed help. She did everything early except her speech and mind processing. She could tell you what things did but couldn't tell you what things were. She could write the whole alphabet perfectly when she was 5 but at 7 she still couldn't tell me half of the letters.

My daughter is now in 5th grade. Because of my hard work of making sure she was placed right and her working very hard also she will be in a regular class for 6th grade with little help. She was diagnois with a peanut allergy also. It is a silent peanut allergy. Takes 24-72 hours to show signs. With doing all of these things has helped her in school.

A mother knows. Don't give up. Don't get mean with the school. Understand there system and learn how to work it for his benefit.

Answer 7

I have taught students with sp. ed. isuues for 30 years (some kids being bipolar with and without meds., too).  Schools often will not offer information for seeking services.  Ask specific questions of the director of special ed. or pupil personnel services.  Is there a liaison for the district?  Is there a special education resource center for the county?  Representatives from these centers provide advice/support for families and attend meetings. You are entitled to have whomever you choose to attend evaluation meetings including advocates, psychologists specializing in identification of disabilities (some who will check out the school and its programs, too), and lawyers.

Schools often would rather to grant the services rather than fight in court.  Lawyers are often more expensive.

Good luck.

Answer 8

If you have noticed some delays and the like and he receives SSI he should qualify for the 504. It doesn't hurt to apply.

Coming from a family that runs the whole rainbow of the Autism Spectrum I was wondering if you have checked his diet for allergies or sensitivities? This might help with the hyperness & behavior problems.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

If I can make a recommendation to you, use an independent evaluator and get an evaluation from him/her and in the evaluation get educational or intervention plans for your child.  Typically a school will be more willing to accomodate.  A great resource for you to check out for legal information is www.wrightslaw.com.  Good Luck!

Answer 11

Ask your special education department for OHI paperwork.  (other health impaired)  Students can qualify for special educations services based on that paperwork.

Answer 12

Bipolar means that you bounce back and forth between emotions.  It doesn't mean that he has a learning disability.

Answer 13

You have to go higher than the school were we are we had to got to the state rep for special education to get any help are youngest was just diagnosed with 7 mental health conditions one of them being bipolar also get ever thing in writing the more you have the better

Answer 14

If the school finds your son does not qualify after testing you can have him tested yourself. In most cases the outside testing must be paid for by the parent. The testing that was done at the school, was probably done by the school psychologist or counselor. Check into finding out if they are qualified to make this kind of diagnosis. If they are not then the school will have to pay to have a qualified person do the examine. I would not wait until after school starts. Waiting  will cause more chaos for your son, and it will take the school a LOT longer to get "around" to having an IEP meeting. That means even longer before they get it into place and know what needs to be changed to help your son.