question about SLD and OHI

If the child has an LD I would stick with that label. The LD definition is pretty solid. ADHD falls into OHI and the two pronged definition states that the ADHD must both be present and interfere with school performance. The latter is not always present for a number of reasons. Good medication will clear up many of symptoms that interfere with learning, really strong teachers will support the child in ways that promote learning, etc. I can state that if one reads the definition of OHI, one cannot simply state that ADHD always equals classification and services via an IEP. Many times ADHD really just needs the accomodations and modifications provided by a 504 plan rather than specialized services. But, an LD puts the child on a much better footing. The IEP can also address the behavioral concerns that the ADHD causes. Once the child is identified and classified, the IEP needs to address the issues. Nothing prevents this child from getting the services he needs.

Anyita,

I think I understand what you mean. My impression of the other parent whose post I read is that she believed there should be both labels in her child’s documentation. Also per her child’s doctor, which I guess is why she is pursuing it.

My own two boys illustrate the difference between adhd impairing learning and needing OHI and garden variety adhd (I guess there is such a thing).

My oldest is inattentive, OHI qualified (with all that implies), works very hard and is a mostly C student.
My youngest is hyper, works average and makes mostly A’s and some B’s. He’s been on honor roll since 3rd grade.

Go figure.

Thanks for your reply.
Amy

Other health impaired category of disability is not specificly for ADHD or ADD. It is defined as:

(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.

Adversely affects a child’s educational performance is the key word. I am sure you can see how the definition can defer. It is and will always be a team decision. I will say this: word on the street is they are trying very hard to delete OHI from IDEA during this next redefinition. If I could get an IEP under SLD,I would do this. The ADHD can and should be documented as a matter of fact if the child has organizational problems for ex. This is probably due in part to the ADHD,a goal in the IEP should be written. There is no reason to have both,unless it is a funding issue. OHI and SLD are both a category of disabilities that qualify a student for special ed services,IF the disability adversely affects the child’s educational performance.

#9 “heightened alertness to environmental stimuli” - could this also be SI issues? Hypersensitivity to noise, for instance? i.e., affects distraction and child gets overloaded more easily? Just wondering.

If the SLD stands for speech and language disorder, potentially the child could make enough progress in that area to no longer qualify for services so documenting qualifying for services in another area of need is a good thing. I know our county has a history of omitting elegibility based on autism and then ending services when after later testing the child no longer qualifies for speech and language intervention. They tried to pull that with my son but I didn’t sign the IEP with the eligibility based on autism omitted. The schools are experinced enough to know what the patterns of development look like and use it to cut costs where they can get away with it. One of the children they did this to is now looking at the possibility of institutionalization. Another that had this threatened is in a private special ed school trying to repair the damage done by incompetent public school intervention. Is the child’s mother over reacting to the records not reflecting eligiblility based on more than one area of need? Not if she lives in my county.

It is specific learning disability.