I have a daughter who has ADHD. She was diagnosed in first grade and now is going into the seventh grade. This will be her first year at junior high. While in fourth grade we made the decision to put her into special classes and an IEP was written up on her. She went from failing grades to all A’s and B’s. The recommendation at her IEP meeting was to put her into the normal classroom and then send her to the special class to have tutoring for homework the last hour or two of the school day. The director of the IEP meeting did not want to do this and felt that my daughter would have to earn that priviledge.
When the sixth graders went to the junior high to take a tour these children that were in this special class was not included in the tour. All of the other students during the summer received post cards on an orientation for the school so they can go and take a one on one tour with the school staff and ask as many questions as they would like to make this transition to the junior high go as smoothly as possible. Well my daughter did not receive one of those invitation either. She has more than demonstrated that she can cope in a normal classroom. They have decreased her medication to the lowest possible dose she can take, and still received A’s and B’s. But now I feel that the school has already labeled her. I also feel there is discrimination on there part and she is being excluded from these events and not given the same opportunities as other children. I would like some input on this matter. Is anyone else seeing this situation in the same eyes as mine, and if so what should I do?
Thank you
Penny
Re: Not being included
Penny,
I would also like to add,If the attitude is such of,discrimination,and they are unwilling to accomodate her,I would write a letter to the director of special education services,and alert him or her to this discriminatory act. Discrimination is illegal. They are violating your child’s civil rights.
penny i may not be in your shoes but i do know what it’s like to be labeled negeatively. it doesn’t feel to hot. my advice contact your daughters new school chances are the office staff is in already. tell them what you want. let them know where you stand. i can’t speak to well of the office staff at our school i’m not liked much. too bad for them is my new attitude. no one is better abled to tell them what her needs are than you. ask to meet her teachers if necessary demand it. you have every right after all your her mom. and besides you are penny taxpayer and you pay their salary if it’s public school. i have learned that much whether they like it or not. let her know you support her and that your proud of her. meeting her teachers is a good start i think. ask for a tour of her new school as well so she will know where she is going. contact them tomorrow it’s monday so why wait another day, she is depending on you. comming from someone who has no self esteem. i’m finding it for my kids and for me that says alot. i find alot of inspiration from this board honest people willing to help without being condescending. so maybe i helped i hope so. remember she looks up to you. so make the call set the appt. if you hit a wall with them knock it down. no one can defend her like you. and maybe you will find them to be very receptive to wanting to meet you. not many parents seem to be as active when the kids reach high school level altough that statement might or might not be true. i have several teacher friends and they seem to be under that feeling. don’t wait to be called, call first. my friends say they wish more parents would get involved,but sometimes it’s difficult all we can do as parents is try try try,and try again. well i tend to ramble i hope this helps.
take care and god bless alice