Should I request that our elementary school evaluate my son?

Question

Our son has ODD, diagnosed at age 4. He is currently in teh second month of 1st grade. he has been suspended once this year, ISS twice, not to mention 7 times i have had to pick him up early and the 500 calls from teh school. we are very close to teh staff at teh school and feel like they wont help. they know he has ODD and humiliating him, making him feel like a bad kid, moving his chair to teh back of teh room is just making him act out more. I have been told I could send a certified letter to teh school board requesting a multidisciplinary evaluation be done at public expense to determine if my child would be qualified for an IEP under the IDEA act and that would place an immediate protection on my son under "children not yet eligible". he clearly does not have learning disabilities but his bevahior is significantly effecting his acedemics. Would this be wise for me to do? Our ins. does not cover the testing otherwise i would have had it done long

Answer 1

You definitely need to get your son evaluated. Usually the process starts with the school counselor, but your idea of sending a letter to your district's special education director might be quite helpful.

You may not like the label, but your son is is entitled to special education services as an emotionally handicapped or emotionally disturbed student. The criteria for this designation are:

    *An inability to achieve adequate academic progress, which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors

    *An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers

    *Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances

    *A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression

    *A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

When you go to the school counselor, ask for a referral to special education services. Be sure to take the diagnosis with you. Also insist that the school develop a Behavior Intervention Plan for your son. This will help with the suspensions because they will need to follow the plan.

You might also ask that a Functional Behavior Assessment be performed. This will really get at the root of the problem and suggestions for the BIP will be offered.

Answer 2

Yes you should. AT least where I live you only need to provide a letter in writing to the school principal or the director of special education not the entire school board, but regardless you should request one. If your child does not qualify for a IEP, he at least sounds as though he would qualify for a 504 plan which could include specific modifications or accommodations to help him at school. You should also request as part of the IEP, 504 or even student support team a formalized behavior support plan that describes what specific preventive strategies will be taken to deal with your child's behavior and superficially how they will react to his misbehavior. It is a contract/ document that specifies what the adults will do so you can have feedback and input and your son can have fair consistent treatment. Check out www.wrightslaw.com for more information on your rights.

Answer 3

I am an educator and a mom of special needs you need to know that if the school ever says" We think you son may be ......." they automatically have to test them at their expense, also once you request the testing they only have 30 days to test and hold an ARD(Admission Review Dismissal) so stay on them other wise they will drag their feet.  The ODD can also fall under other health impaired in order for him to remain under resource and avoid an unneccesary label.

Answer 4

I would request an evaluation.  I would send a certified letter requesting an evaluation done at the school district's expense.

Although not a Specific Learning Disability (LD in some states) ODD does fall under Special Education (EBD to be more precise, Emotional/Behavioral Disorder) and is better served via IDEiA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act).

Your child will more likely be better served through an IEP than a 504 plan.  It is difficult to conclude that your son's learning is not being adversely impacted by his ODD but also by the school's inappropriate response.

The 504 plan is an "accommodations and modifications" plan falling under the American with Disabilities Act while the IEP is comprehensive education plan falling under the IDEiA (the latest and greatest version of IDEA).

Answer 5

You have the right to request the district to test at public expense. In writing should be the best way.The testing for behavior as well as anything else you have a concern should be covered by public expense, if not e-mail me and i will tell you how. Wise???? oh yea, do it now.

Answer 6

If his behavior is adversley affecting his academics, I would suggest that you make a special education referral.  You do not have to send a request to the Board.  You simply have to make the referral to the Principal, Teacher or Special Education Teacher in the school.  This will start the timeline.  Be sure to have a current diagnosis of ODD when come to the referral conference.  At this conference, the committee (Teacher, Sp.ed. Teacher, Counselor, Principal and You.....and possibly others) will make a determination to whether the child needs to be further evaluated.  Once it is determined to evaluate more timelines are set...and the school will evaluate you child academically and Intellectually.  After the evalutions are complete you will return for another conference on the results of the evaluations.  This is the conference where it is determined by the committee whether the child qualifies for services or not.  If the child qualifies, then it is determined what type services will be provided.  Please be sure and be aware of the different possible services before you come to this determining conference.

Answer 7

First, I will admit upfront that I am cynical about a public school's ability (not their intention) to adequately provide for any child that is learning disabled, gifted, twice-gifted, or has any "disability."

That said...

I think your first priority should be making sure that your son is getting the very best treatment available.  I don't know much about ODD and how it is treated... behavior therapy???  I am not assuming that you are not getting the best treatment but you don't mention anything about that in your post other than the diagnosis.  Do all that you can to fix or minimize the ODD then everything else becomes easier.

Have you considered homeschooling?  I know this is a stretch for most people but it would allow you a flexible schedule for treatments and you can structure the learning in a way that most benefits your son.

If you must or simply decide to continue with public school, then definitely go for the evaluation (if really necessary) and the IEP.  But, be prepared to manage this and the teachers and the administrators in order to get much good out of it.  You will need to attend meetings with teachers, and special ed personnel and you will need to be assertive in directing what your child needs in order to succeed.  

If your son is being treated you need to get the professional involved.  Don't assume that school personnel understand your son's diagnosis! Most doctors are willing to participate in discussions with school systems to explain the diagnosis and special needs of the child.  If yours is not, find someone else.

SIDE NOTE: I have seen on numerous occasions, parents say that their child has ADHD while the child is standing there sucking down a half-gallon of mountain dew.  My point is that nutrition can affect behavior and brain function. This is a side note, and a general comment and not aimed at you - so don't take this as a presumption on my part - it is not... you are obviously a concerned and involved parent.  This is just kind of a pet peeve....

If you have not, I would also suggest joining some discussion groups specifically for parents of kids with ODD.  You can connect with parents who can help you based on their own experience (not just some opinionated yahoo like me!).  Search on yahoo groups for something like "parent odd" and I bet you will find bunches.  You will probably get a lot of help and support this way.

Truly: Search on ODD Parent support groups in yahoo groups. I think you will find a lot of help and support there.  Per my email: search on "twice gifted" in the search engines.

If you don't mind, we'll keep you and your son in our prayers. Hang in there and do what you know is right for you and your family.  Be strong even though that can be soooo hard!

Answer 8

no need for evaluation.

Answer 9

sorry to hear of your frustrations with the school.  since your son has a firm diagnosis of ODD, it is within your parental rights to request a 504 plan.  make this request formal by putting it in writing, and then the school district must hold a 504 plan meeting to set up modifications and accomodations within his educational plan, as well as a behavior plan.  within this meeting, it is imperative for the school psychologist to attend who will, in turn, observe your child in class and formulate a behavior plan for the school and home to work with.  a formal evaluation does not seem warranted at this time if there is no concern regarding educational progress.  

good luck and be strong!  dont let the school district push you aside!

Answer 10

I have a daughter with ODD, and know just how difficult it can be. My daughter has been labelled as a troublemaker and told she is naughty and badly behaved, I've also been told it was my bad parenting that made her behave in this way. You must push for a proper statement of needs for your son. I'm in the UK but I have fought for my child to get a statement of special educational needs. As a parent you must do everything you can to get him the help he rightly deserves. I ended up having to pay for my daughter to have all sorts of tests just to prove she had a disability. Once I had all the the results and took them to the education authority they were forced to act and she finally got the help she needed. All I can advise is do your best for your child and fight for him all the way. Never ever take no for an answer, no matter how many people you upset. Good luck.

Answer 11

ODD is a disablility that could make him eligible for services. You need to write that letter and get it to the school ASAP. They will have 15 days to get you an assessment plan and 60 days after reciept to assess him and conduct an IEP meeting. Sounds to me like your son could use a behavior plan and some support.  You are the parent. It is your job to watch out for your son.  As long as your son is a resident of the school district, they are required to test him. You should not have to go somewhere privately to have him tested. Go write the letter.  Also, have your doctor write a note to the school district as well.