Kids with ADHD shuffled from building to building or suspended

Some students with ADD/ADHD have unnoticed learning disabilities that public schools have overlooked or not recognized. These students may be lumped into programs with other students who are “at risk”. The “at risk” programs often focus on the requirement of appropriate behavior, attendance and work completion. This is where our student with underlying learning disabilities goes through the motions to keep from getting in trouble yet gets passing grades since work is being “completed”. The work, however, may not be grade level work, or, may be work that the student has already learned in earlier grades.
If a student has unnoticed learning disabilities a parent can request that the student be evaluated by the public school for “eligibility for special education under IDEA and 504″. Other private educational consultants can provide private testing as well.

The IEP Center .com Opens in Metro KC during back to school

Parents of children with learning disabilities in the Kansas City area now have a place to go to get assistance when struggling with the public school system.

The IEP Center.com has advocates for parents to consult regarding children’s schooling concerns in Missouri and Kansas.  The team of advocates are parent’s with expertise in dealing with special education issues.

Parents can have their child’s “Individualized Eduation Plan” (IEP) reviewed by an advocate at the IEP Center. The IEP Center will be conducting monthly seminars on topics related to parents’ advocating for their children in the schools.

There will be supplemental materials and merchandise available for purchase at the seminars.

The IEP Center.com is located southeast of the metro.  Click the mapquest link below for  a map.   Kansas City metro phone 816-680-0070; outside the metro    Toll free 877-447-6246

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-mky7T2m7

Special Education Mediation in Missouri

Mediation is now offered, free of charge, by the state when a parent requests it and the parent and district both agree to mediate.

A list of “mediators” is provided for the district and parent to agree upon a selection. During this process a couple weeks passed since the district was slow…hmmm.
Then the selected mediator’s schedule caused another delay of a couple weeks.

The mediation lasted over three hours but much of that time was spent in our own “caucus” room deciding how to proceed.

The parent was well prepared and had diagrams/comparisons illustrating what the child needed and what the district was offering prior to mediation.

The mediator was skilled at framing the issues. The district seemed to have great respect for her and the process. The outcome in this instance was favorable for the student. The parents avoided due process.

I would consider assisting parents in this school district again with mediation.