Does ADHD excuse you from school punishment?

Question

I am a middle school teacher. The parents of an ADHD student set up a conference to set up a 504 plan for behavior. The kid is not that bad, put does have moments. The parents want us to do interventions like breaks, extra work if the student finishes an assignment early, sending the kid to a corner of the room and letting the kid color or do a crossword puzzle, send to an office to be a helper, etc.. However, after giving those interventions frequently (some of which seem like rewards to me) without much improvement, I gave the student a detention. The parents then called the dean accusing me of not doing the 504 plan. (They are EXTREMELY HOSTILE ALL THE TIME). They essentially feel that the child is exempt from detentions, parental phone calls, reflections, and the other typical school punishments because of the 504. I don't mind adding cushions between a warning and a detention for a 504, but I can't punish every other student and then give him a "pass." Are these parents correct?

Answer 1

No, he's not.  You are following the 504, but I have a feeling that it doesn't stipulate that the child is not to be disciplined under any circumstances.

Honestly, it's parents like these that make me refuse to teach in a public school.  Even if that child was your only student, he still needs to learn how to control himself.  It is more difficult for him, and he needs more redirection than others, but give me a break - the kid's not in preschool.  He is able to make choices, the same as everyone else.

Unfortunately, in their zeal to advocate for him (which I understand as well), they are enabling him and ultimately handicapping him.  A university isn't going to give a rat's patoot if he works best with an intervention, and neither is an employer.  He needs a bit different method right now, but he also needs to work toward learning how to motivate and control himself on his own - and his parents need to realize that, and quickly.

In the meantime, document *everything*.  Make sure you go by the book regarding his plan, but if he still chooses to act out, then follow the same disciplinary method you would with anyone else in the class.  You're required to offer this child the chances he needs, but you're not required to have your class disrupted - and every other child distracted - because his parents feel he's "above the law".  

If they don't like it, there are other avenues open to them.  If they feel that strongly about it, private school and homeschooling are options that they have, even if they might be inconvenient ones.  I say that because they seem to be taking the attitude that it's your responsibility to not only educate, but raise, their child.  They need to step up and take the responsibility to parent him.  You are required to teach this boy to the best of your ability, but there's only so much you can do in a full classroom.  His parents need to understand that you as a teacher don't have unlimited time and resources to spend only on this child - you have an entire class of kids with very different needs to teach, and you need to spend the time you have on all of them.  They need to either deal with that fact (and expect him to obey and behave in your class) or decide to educate him in another manner.

Either way, it's up to them to take the responsibility for his behavior, rather than just expecting you to do so.

(I have a child who is easily distracted in a larger classroom and learns at a very different pace than most kids, so I homeschool him.  I don't do so because I don't trust schools or anything like that, but because of what you've described - he just has needs that aren't feasibly met in a classroom.  He's learning to adjust as he gets older, and he has a few smaller classroom classes each year, but I don't see a reason to disrupt an entire class and put extra stress on both him and his teacher simply because he's not well-suited to the classroom at this point.  If I were to put him in school, I would expect the teacher to work with him in ways that were feasible, but I would also completely expect him to abide by the teacher's rules and the classroom discipline.)

At the end of the day, just make sure that you've followed the plan and that you've documented your actions (and his reactions) as clearly as possible.  Anything past that, you need to make sure the administration is willing and prepared to step in.

Answer 2

I know it's hard, because you are busy like the rest of your fellow teachers, but try to write down when you use an accomodation off his 504.  Try to be as detailed as possible.  That way if you have another run-in with the parents you have documentation showing your efforts.

Answer 3

I have usually had success with "perhaps my classroom is not a suitable learning environment for your child"  the implication being that a more restrictive environment would be a better place.  

The other thing that worked for me in the past, when I taught in a public school, was to remind the principal privately that this child was so distracting to the rest of the class that we were in serious danger of not being able to meet my school's AYP goals for NCLB.  Principals tend to freak out about stuff like that.  

What kind of services is the school providing?  Maybe the child needs an aid, or a SE teacher in the classroom?

Answer 4

ah yes, i'm familiar with this parent too. it's never their kid that's the problem. the sun always shines out their *ss, they're perfect in every way, and it's always the stupid teacher's fault. the best thing you can do in this situation is keep a very detailed paper trail. every time you give him extra work, send him to the office, or whatever else is part of the 504, write it down, sign it, date it, and time stamp it. this way when the parents come to yell at you again you can say, "here, this is what i've done and still your child acts out". and make sure you share all of this on a regular basis with your administrator, the special ed facilitator and the parents.

basically you want to cover your *ss in the event of a legal confrontation. if it comes up you can say, this is what i've done, this is how i documented it and shared it with all involved parties on a regular basis. and the parents did not hold up their end of the bargain. after all, you're not his parents and can't reinforce behavior outside of school.

Answer 5

No, they are not, but you'll never convince them of that.  The last ten years I taught, I had battles like these.  Want to know the best way to survive -- it's mean, but . . . ?  After fighting these battles for a couple of years, I found myself becoming so disagreeable that I finally earned a reputation of not being "cooperative" with students who had 504's (behavorial) for the most part.  Therefore, the "word got around" with counselors and parents, and parents requested that their children be placed in classes other than mine.  Of course, that only works if you have tenure.

I feel for ya.  I loved teaching, and I miss it every day. EVERY day.  But, I can't go back -- wouldn't go back.  I can't sacrifice an entire class for one ill-mannered student, and I don't care what kind of disability he has.  Everybody has to learn how to behave; nobody "gets a pass" in this world.  I can bend over backwards to help anybody, but I will NOT sacrifice my entire class, because one student is stopping instruction, along with peace of mind -- for everyone in the room.

You are the teacher.  Do what is best for the majority of the children in your classroom.  That child with a 504 has an advocate.  That's fine, but you are the advocate for the rest of the children in that classroom.  Stand up for them.  And for you.  Good Luck.