ADHD, Dyslexia and Special Education

Parents often try and get their child qualified for Special Education -- they believe their child qualifies because they have Dyslexia -- the school tells them they do not test for Dyslexia

The parent then says -- does it matter that my child has ADHD -- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

The advisor tells them ADHD will help their child qualify for a 504 Plan -- and not an IEP -- an Individual Education Plan

The 504 Plan, which is a less than contractual arrangement, whereby the school agrees to provide certain accommodations

The challenge is this leaves the parent with two fifths of the information they need -- the three key points a parent wants to be aware of are:
1- School districts are obligated to test students within 60 school days of a formal request for an evaluation -- too often parents do not make this formal request and the clock never starts

2- Outside of Texas, states test for a Learning Disability and not for Dyslexia -- this is more semantics than substance -- parents should be content to have their child tested for a Learning Disability

3- As part of the 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA (the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act) ADHD and other conditions do qualify for students for the more comprehensive IEP -- Individual Education Plan -- that is contract between parents and the school, has clear goals and has actions that support the goals -- lastly the IEP is easier to enforce

From http://aimstar.knowbility.org/info_disabilities_add.html
How does IDEA define Attention Deficit Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are conditions in individuals who have difficulty maintaining an attention span because of their limited ability to concentrate. ADD and ADHD are not included in IDEA as eligible disabilities, but if the ADD or ADHD impacts educational performance, the student may be considered "Other Health Impaired." Here is the specific definition of "other health impaired" from section 300.7(c) of the IDEA regulations.

(9) Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that

(i) Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, and sickle cell anemia; and

(ii) Adversely affects a child's educational performance.

ADD and ADHD may not become apparent until a child enters the elementary school environment. Boys with ADD/ADHD tend to out number girls 3 to 1. Children with these disorders may exhibit the following behaviors:

* difficulty in paying attention to details
* easily distracted by events that are occurring at the same time
* puts off anything that requires a sustained mental effort
* makes careless mistakes
* appears disorganized (frequently losing school books and assignments)
* appears not to listen
* fails to follow through on tasks
* fidgets or squirms around in their seats
* talks excessively
* blurts out answers in class
* does not wait their turn and/or intrudes on others' conversations or games
* may be unpopular with their peers
* is unable to "hold" events or information to apply to the future
* may be unable to hear the mind's "inner voice" to follow necessary rules and instructions
* slow to develop self-regulation (needs "instant gratification")
* has trouble breaking down information or rearranging components to create new responses

From 3D Learner
If your child has ADHD and it significantly impacts their academic performance we strongly recommend using this diagnosis to qualify for an IEP -- it is quicker and more effective -- if the school insists they also want to do testing this is an option -- however, the IEP can be put in place just based on the ADHD diagnosis and the testing can be used to refine goals and accommodations

Mark Halpert and Mira Halpert M.Ed.
3D Learner
www.3dlearner.com
Call us a 1-866-411-2578