My 6yr old son has autism and adhd. School giving me trouble.?

Question

He is in special ed and is on daytrana 15mg but he has lost alot of weight and is trowing up. He is zoned out. So his doc had the medicane lowered to 10 mg and the teacher is sending letters saying hes bad. Talked to the counsler and told her that they cant make me put him on meds and she said he has to be good. So that makes me think theyre going to try to kick him out of school. Can they kick him out? Anyone please give me some advice.....

Answer 1

It is illegal for schools to even MENTION medications for ADHD to parents.

Print this out and give it to them, that'll shut them up.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c1...

Since he's in special ed, write and request  an FBA  (functional behavioral assesment) and this will show his true problems with behavior.

The school will have to use this assesment to make a POSITIVE behavior plan to help him with the behaviors.

WIth this, they can't be negative and  can not use his problems against him.

Answer 2

If he has Autism and has problems in school, he is entitled to an IEP (individual education plan) that would require the school to make accomidations to allow him to be more succesful in school.  If he already has and IEP, write a letter requesting the IEP be reopened so the team (teachers, therapists, you) can work on how to help him.  If he does not have an IEP, write a letter to the district requesting that they write an IEP for him.  Be sure to do this in writing because there are time limits to how long they can take to do this and it usually starts after your formal request.  If you really think they're going to mess with you, hand deliver it and ask them to sign/date it recieved.  It's legally required by federal law for them to work with your son.  If they give you a hard time, visit www.wrightslaw.com for information on how to find an advocate in your area and also great information on the whole process.  They can't force you to medicate him, but they do have to make changes to his school life to allow him to continue to remain there.  

Hope this helps.

Shelley S.

Answer 3

The school system has to provide him with a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.  Whether or not they can meet his needs in the environment he is currently in may depend on his behavior.  The school has to do what it can to help him "be good" but his behaviors may be too unsafe to manage.  I hope the school isn't really desribing him as "bad" but describing the specific types of behaviors he exhibits.  Perhaps they could speak to your son's doctor and work together on a plan.

Answer 4

I have an Aspergers boy (6yrs old) in my class and he is very violent and has such trouble in a classroom environment. However, he needs to learn skills to help him cope in noisy surrounds, in places he feels uncomfortable. I have attended so many training sessions and am constantly implementing new strategies. Hi isnt medicated yet. I would ask the school to investigate what human resources can be organised to support your son. I am fighting to get 100% support for my little guy.

Your little boy 'cant be good' he is what he is and needs skills to help him integrate - life skills.

If noone is prepared to help him or train up on autism then move him.

Look at suelarkey.com she is Australian, but has remarkable resources on sale at great prices - for teachers and parents.

Her DVD in the red cover is fantastic.

I dont know if they can kick him out in USA - here, in Australia, they can - if they go through the suspension after suspension route.

I wish you luck - I hope you find a caring school.

Answer 5

Hi there, they can't "kick him out" so to speak, but if he has a very severe case and it's determined that a standard special education program isn't his Least Restrictive Environment then they can recommend a more intensive setting and that setting may or may not be located outside of his current school.  You're right; they can't force you to give him medication unless you were going way against medical advice in which case they could look at what's called "medical neglect."  

Every time a change is proposed it must be done in a team meeting and if the change is agreed on a Prior Written Notice must be written.  Don't forget that you're an equal part of that team! If you don't feel comfortable contact a local special education advocate.  Best of luck to you and your son!

Answer 6

They say he is bad?? Meaning he has behavior problems? Or meaning he is just zoned out because of the medication? You absolutely do not have to medicate your child. If the medication is causing undesirable side effects then work with your doctor to change dosage, change medication or get him off of it. If they say he is not progressing because of his behavior than put in writing a request for a positive behavior support plan. A child whose behavior is interfering with his learning is entitled to supports and accommodations usually delineated in a behavior support plan to help him. If they cannot provide your child with an education that produces progress and growth for your child then ask for more intensive services. They cannot kick him out of school they can only offer you different services or placements that might better help your child learn. Do not let them put this back on you.. related to medication or anything else. It is their job to educate your child as he is. Of course you want to work collaboratively with them, but don't let them tell you that you have to medicate him or they can't help you. The www.wrightslaw.com website mentioned in is a great resource. If the school continues to not help you son make progress considering finding an advocate or even an attorney to help you convey your concerns and the school district's responsibility.

Answer 7

That is a tough one.. in a sense..

No one can force you to over medicate your child.

However, If he is adhd and has other "problems or issues" that meds can help, it is correct to go with that method of treatment.

If your son is in a regular education classroom setting, he may be over whelmed, and need more one on one attention than can be offered in that setting. Which means he may need to be in a smaller group special education classroom setting where there are not so many "rules and assignments" pushed upon him.

Always keep in mind what is best for him.

At the same time, a school cannot allow one student to disrupt the education of an entire classroom of students.

There are behavior modification rooms, schools, etc that might benefit your son in an extreme situation.

If he is hurting or injuring others in the school, they cannot tolerate that even with I.E.P. accommodations.

Answer 8

I hope you are just simplifying by saying the teacher is sending letters saying he is bad! Your son may be acting inappropriately but he is NOT bad!

Assuming there is an IEP in place,I would immediately call for a team meeting to discuss the current situation.The team should be working together to help your child. There should be a Behavior Specialist on the team,  who can observe your son and help come up with some solutions.

Most children with autism have sensory issues.This may have something to do with your son's behavior.No one knows him better then you! Are you aware of sensory problems he has that you could share with the school so they can make accommodations?Maybe the hissing of a radiator or buzzing of a light, the smell of cleaning solutions or the teachers perfume, sitting too close to others.These are a few things to look into.

When my son, with autism,  was in an Early Intervention program,medication was suggested by the teacher.We did try it but it made his behavior much worse.We changed the classroom/teacher and started him on vitamin therapy.(check www.autism.com  and Kirkman Labs for more info on vitamin therapy) Vitamins  (especially DMG and B6) helped a great deal with sound sensitivity and behavior.Good luck!

Answer 9

just some difft. suggestions based on experience of many: (use your judgment and get "real" help too of course, and fast):  document EVERYTHING. remember, if you don't write it down, they didn't say it, so to speak. just make notes on your calendar or in a little notebook like "called the school, spoke to ______ asked about _____was told _______", etc.  Use email when you can; start a paper trail. Use careful language when you write. assume they are not the enemy as far as how you interact with them. be wise, cordial, & persistent.  go higher up if need be. when you write a note pretend you are in a way writing to a stranger who may not know everything and is not involved emotionally, so they can't play around with you--you need to  sound  objective in your account of things.ie don't let them think you can be reassured with "there there Mrs. ______ this is for the good of your son  etc...." don't let them demonize your son either. they will continue to slip up  & your son will pay the price as he already is. It is THEIR job to help him but if you are not on top of this liek a mama bear (yet polite) it wil not happen. They are NOT supposed to pressure you into medical decisions.   find a parent's advocacy center but first do online research., have some coffee and stay up and do this **** now**** would be my advice. you owe it to your son, and whatever the school is doing to you and your son they will do to others as well if they think they can get away with it. No offense to any teachers but there are some that are in over their heads and they want things to be easy all the time. they CHOSE to be teachers and they need to be fair & get more guidance, objectivity, professionalism than they are showing now.. Your son is entitled to a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE). They are not handling this appropriately so far. Now you have to step up to the plate. this is urgent. if he is being treated unfairly and you feel they really don't know what they're doing there, it may not be the worst thing in the world for him to get a better placement for him, even though it is hard. go to the wrightslaw website mentioned here, maybe join a a yahoo grop for parents of autistic kids, go to SEPTA meetings in other towns near yours too. people wlil help you. but you need to get up to speed now.. you need to be prepared and know what are your rights (and your son's). This must be a big project, big priority. Make sure the classification or diagnosis he has is accurate-- "ED" (here in the U.S.) guarantees a bigger fight to get services and is too broad. I waited too long with some things, feeling intimidated by nasty, unprofessional school employees, and regret we didn't get out of there  fast enough! I'm only saying that to balance the thinking that it is always bad to leave a school. but make sure it is done fairly. you need to do lots of homework and talk to other parents, FAST.  This is a fire that needs to be put out. maybe another school will be good for him but it has to be done right. pull your son out for a few days if you have to--I wish I had done this, as he continued to suffer the incompetence he was subjected to. I still feel guilt over this. If they d on't like your son it may not be something that can be turned around. but don't rol over and play dead--this is the most importatn thing you will be doing now, to be on top of this. It will tire you out but you will feel it is worth it--how could we not do our best and advocate for our children? ask for help from other family members when it drains you. others in my son's new school later were horrified to hear how some things were handled at the first regular place. and he thrived elsewhere. yet still I made mistakes based on blind trust and being naive. learn from others. It's a long road.

Answer 10

In order for your son to make progress in learning, he must be in an environment where he can control his behavior without being on the medicines that cause him to have symptoms of illness.  Ask the teacher to  help you find out what causes the acting out that your son is being cited for and address the causes of your son's antisocial behavior in school. If that does not give you reasonable answers, speak to the child's pediatrician to find out if a different medication would be more effective and less symptom causing.  By the same rule that makes it unfair for your son to be forced to take medicines that make him sicker, it is also unfair for your son to be left alone to behave in a manner that impedes the learning progress or endangers the safety of other children and adults in school.  In some cases, home schooling might be considered.  Best wishes to you.

Answer 11

Are you serious?  What school is this?  You need higher up help. Go to the principal, the doctors, your councilman, your

Mayor.  Your kid deserves the proper response to his medical problem and if he is not getting it by the teacher who is supposed to be your next close person. Get this straightened out IMMEDIATELY.

Answer 12

hi, i have a daughter who also has autism and adhd, who's not medicated but school would like her to be,

your school should have your son an individual behaviour plan, and the school psych, his occupational therapist should be helping to implement,

also just a note from both a mothers and special needs teacher perspective is that parents presume that just because their child is in a special ed class or unit that the staff are trained in special needs, which a majority of the time they are not, so they don't know how to deal with a child with autism, or what to do when things go awry, they have not been taught the techniques and what works with these unique kids, they presume the kids naughty and hey im not dealing with this!  i have learnt this the hard way!

also my daughter through counselling sessions came out and said she was being verbally abused by teachers and assistants and bullied by other students which were causing her behaviour to esculate, and causing meltdowns,

her sensory systems were in overload and cause the teachers are not trained they didn't know the signs, or how to nip it in the bud before it got to this point!!!!!!!!!!

suggest your school staff get trained up, or get PDS,

you could also go in their and show them how to work with your child to improve his behaviour,