Is it good to take a Child off meds for ADHD if you need more help from school?

Question

My son has sever ADHD and because of this he has behavior problems. With the meds he NOW has no LD problems anymore and so he can't get any extra help. His fine moter skills are well below his age and needs help here too, but can't because he is no longer LD. If things keep up the way that they are going with him the school said that they might have to expell him. He is in theripy and it isn't going well, I mean that it isn't helping either. The school, he's DoctorS, and the theripist all say that he needs the meds. Help please!!!

Answer 1

Please do not take him off his meds. He needs them, not just for his school work, but for impulse control, thought organization, focus etc.  If he is still acting out at school and having severe behavioral problems, he may not be on the correct medication, or dose. You should definitely talk to his doctor about this. Also, if he has motor skill problems, then that, in itself, makes him qualify for some special ed. You should ask for a new IEP (it is your right as a parent - you can call one whenever you want) and ask for him to be re-evaluated. His motor skill problems and behavioral issues more than justify new evaluations. Medication is not the complete answer for ADHD. Education, social skill help and classroom accomodations are all part of helping the kid with ADHD learn, and do well at school. My eldest shild has ADHD, and needs constant support in school and at home, even with the meds. He is also extremely bright, but if he didn't have the classroom and school support, he would probably be labelled stupid and a trouble maker. Insist on a new IEP and new evaluations. Do not let your school district turn their back on your son.

Answer 2

I feel for you.  My son has had the same problem.  He was nearly expelled too.  He is not LD but was borderline and I hoped he would get some better help too.  I never thought of taking him off the meds though.  I think that may work, but it may get him expelled.  

Can he be classified as ED (emotionally disturbed)?  This can get you right into programs.  My son was not, but it was something I noticed in my research.  

Can you get him an IEP?

Answer 3

Here is what i think: ADHD is not classified as a learning disability so he likely has another disability that they are denying because they don't want to provide services for him. You know him better than they do so fight to keep in in special needs classes. Get an educational advocate to help. call your local parent information center.

keep him on the meds, he needs it and fight like heck to keep him in special ed classes.

Answer 4

Are you saying that just by taking ADHD meds, this has made his learning disabilities dissapear?

This can't be true. It might be that the meds HELP with the LD problems, but do not 'cure' them.

How do you know he is 'no longer' LD?   Has the school done an evaluation to determine this? They can't just 'say' he doesn't have a learning disability, they have to do a full educational evaluation to determine this.

And from this evaluation they have to determine if the child will qualify to get help thru special ed services. The school does not LEGALLY have to help a child with ANY problems unless the child is in special ed.

I think what you mean by your question is, you want the child to NOT take the meds, so his LD's will show back up, so he CAN get the extra help (meaning special ed)

Well, if his LD's are gone, they will be gone even  if he doesn't take the meds anymore.  If a child has LD's (learning disabiltiies) they will have them whether they take meds for ADHD or not.

Taking meds for ADHD is NOT a reason to say a child can't have help thru special ed. THis is illegal.

If you want him to have special help, you can ONLY get this thru special ed at the school. And to get this started, you have to write a letter to the district special ed director --

''requesting an initial full educational evaluation testing in all areas of suspected disabilities to determine if my child can qualify for special education services as mandated by IDEA law'.

If he is going to be expelled, is this because the bad behaviors are continuing? If so, this probably means his meds aren't working and need to have a different kind.

Answer 5

Was he labeled special ed? If he is labeled special ed than he can not be expelled from school.  If his behavior problems are severe enough...he can also be labeled "emotionally disturbed" and can qualify for special ed services.  Request a PPT and have him evaluated by the school psy/social worker.  You can also invite his therapist to the PPT to speak to the team in regards to his therapy and how his behavior could be affecting his education.

Answer 6

LD is for Learning Disabilities, if your son is getting better grades that is one thing, but the school should do a re-evaluation to determine his needs now. He may be categorized as BD which is behavior disordered. He does not necessarily have to be on meds to get this label. It sounds like he needs and IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that suits his needs based on his current situation. Forms can be changed, he can't just go from LD to no services. I would contact your Special Ed Administrator and explain the situation.

Answer 7

If his ADHD is interfering with his education, and it certainly sounds like it is, then he can qualify for special education under the "Other Health Impairment" (often called OHI) classification.  *That's what it's called in Illinois, not sure what it would be in your state.*  I have seen this a few times in the schools I have worked in.  I agree with others however when they say that LD doesn't go away.  Your son would have to have the school psych do testing to determine that he was no longer eligible under the LD label.  I might also request an OT (Occupational Therapy) evaluation, as with an OHI label he would qualify for special education and related services (such as OT).  Good Luck!!!