Does the school get to choose if a bipolar child gets an IEP or does his docter?

Question

i have bipolar disorder and i want to know if the school gets to choose if i get an IEP and whats in it. My docter/phycologist, said i need one, and that he and my lawyer will set it all up, and i have been properly dignosed. But my school conciler is making it hard for me to get it, and she doesnt think people that have bpd dont need one, wich by federal law i am intitled to one......so i dont kno what to do

Answer 1

If you've been diagnosed by a doctor and need to be tested, you should, no questions asked. Something has to be done so you can finish your education. It's obvious you need some type of intervention and if the counselor won't help, go to the person above them. That's usually an assistant principal, dean of students or a principal. If they don't help, go to the Student Services or Special Ed department of your school district.

Answer 2

It is the school's decision if you receive an IEP, a 504 plan or nothing at all.  The IEP and 504 are written and implemented by school staff.  Your psychologist probably believes you need one based on his or her experience with previous patients.  Your counselor is not the person I'd speak with - I would be in touch with the person in charge of special education.  This person is typically an assistant principal.  You are not automatically entitled to one because you have been diagnosed.  The counselor does not get to make the final decision though.  When the school formally examines your records, you will be required to undergo other testing.  Testing will include an IQ test and an educational achievement test, among others.   You will not be able to get around those as it is required before an IEP is offered.  Look for very little to happen this year.  It takes a while for these to get into place.

I would ask why you think it is that you need an IEP before reading on?

An IEP means that you are unable to learn the way most students do.  You need a different style of teaching and/or testing.

A 504 is different and is easier to obtain.  A 504 means that you can learn as other students do, but because of your medical condition, you need extra help.  It could be that they allow you to miss school with doctor's notes without penalty.  It could be that they give you additional time on tests.  

Having neither of these means that you should be able to get along in school with very little problem.

Answer 3

Only if it affects your education. But long story short, the law dictates if you get one or not. The doctor and the lawyer are nice to have because they know the law and the technical jargon to get this done for you. However, your counselor is wrong to think that people with bipolar don't need one, but your doctor is wrong to think just because you have bipolar you need one.

Basically an IEP is an individual education plan. All it is a document made up that has specific goals and accommodations made for you. If your education is not being affected by your bi-polar then you don't need one. How are your grades and schooling?

Answer 4

The school decides-An IEP is for special education services-either support in the mainstream class, a separate class, or a separate school.

Make sure your parents ask about a 504 plan instead of an IEP-

a 504 plan is for a student with special needs that needs accommodations in the mainstream class-such as behavior support where you could be allowed to leave class due to a problems with your disorder-extended time to complete assignments if you should have aproblem with your disorder, etc...

If it is determined that you are in need of a special education class-either supported in the mainstream or separate-then you need an IEP-make sure you consider the disability clasification-it coudl be emotionally disturbed --or may be more appropriate to be Orther Health Impaired-

You should get one or the other to ensure your school doesn't violate your rights as a person with a chronic health condition.

Answer 5

If a parent or Dr/physiologist believes the student needs an IEP than by law it needs to be done.  It has to be in writing and given to the counselor or Outreach Consultant at the school.  I'm surprised a counselor would make it hard for a student to  receive services.  An IEP is an Individual Educational Plan.  This plan is to help you receive special services and resources to help you in your education. i would suggest your guardians or parents talk to the counselor and request testing in writing.  But first you need to be tested and before a IEP can processed by the school psychologist and other interventions given.

Answer 6

Bipolar is a medical problem. An IEP addresses academic problems. This type of thing happens frequently. The medical and legal fields do not know procedure for the educational field, so there is often miscommunication.

If you feel your bipolar condition affects your academic success, refer yourself for comprehensive testing. You, or your parent/guardian, need to put a request in writing for a comprehensive academic evaluation. Be sure to sign and date this and submit a copy to the principal and the exceptional needs director of your school system. Within 90 days you should get results which will be used to determine if you need an IEP to help you in meeting your academic needs.

An IEP team will develop the IEP based on the curriculum and your needs. An IEP team usually consists of an LEA representative (administrator, principal), regular ed teacher, special ed teacher, student, parents/guardians, counselor, and school psychologist.

Public schools are not obligated to accept the directions of a physician or outside psychologist.

Answer 7

OK. the doctor does NOT decide if you get an IEP or not. The SCHOOL does not decide.

It is the IEP team at school that decides if you get an IEP or not. If you are under 18, your PARENTS are a part of this team and they have federal rights that protect you and them.

Schools always make it hard for kids to get IEP's because they don't want to help children.

Just because you have a disabilitiy, this does NOT guarantee you will get an IEP plan.

The school has to do a full educational evaluation, among other things, to determine if you can get an IEP plan.

THis whole thing is mandated by federal law called IDEA 'individuals with disabilities education act'

This law mandates that schools and parents must follow a specific legal step by step process in determine eligiblity and services for IEP plans.

You can't just bring in a lawyer from the get go.  Your parents have to follow the laws and do what they say.

If you try to get a lawyer from the very beginning, they will not take your case without your parents FIRST following the laws and doing what they say.

If the school doesn't do right after this, THEN you get the lawyer.

The laws and process is VERY complicated. If you need help email me at   [e-mail]

Answer 8

You only get an IEP if your disorder is directly effecting your academics.  

Also, schools write the IEP,  not a doctor or a lawyer.

Answer 9

whats IEP?