A friend of mine has a child who is gifted and has Aspergers. His elementary school is not being very helpful in terms of providing accomodations that allow him to succeed in the classroom, and will not write an IEP for him because he is working at or above grade level.
However, he is incapable of working independently, particularly during language arts….he has real issues with writing. The school just keeps giving the child increasing easier work, and it still isn’t getting done. Obviously, the level of the work is not the problem. The school refused to do a writing assessment this year, because they don’t qualify children for written expression LDs until 3rd grade (he just finished 2nd). They did do an OT eval, but he didn’t qualify.
He has a 504 plan, but none of the accomodations included in the plan were successful. He would undoubtedly benefit from spending his language arts time in a small group setting, but this is not being offered in any way. An administrator recently told mom, “I know it isn’t supposed to be one size fits all, but it just isn’t realistic to change the curriculum for one child….Paperwork is a fact of life, and it’s just something your child is going to have to get used to.”
So, my questions are:
1. Doesn’t a 504 plan qualify a child for FAPE? It’s not appropriate if he can’s be successful.
2. Can a 504 plan be written so that the child spends time in a special ed classroom, even though they are working at or above grade level?
3. Should the parent request a written expression evaluation as another way to get the child the services he needs?
4. Any other thoughts that might help this little quy? He’s adorable, and really getting lost right now.
Re: Aspergers/504 Question
Nowhere in IDEA does it say a school district does not need to test a child for written expression until 3rd grade. The problem is that many of the tests for written expression are normed for age 8 years and above. At this point the child is probably 8. The parent should put in a written request to have the child evaluated for SLD in written expression. The parent should request that the TOWL-3 (Test of Written Language) be given. The parent should read up on dysgraphia.
504
I found some info on 504 on the web on Schwablearning.org. I did a search on 504 and there was an article”Section 504-Federal Civil Rights Law”. It did not give me any sense of relief reading it because it seemed as per the article it would not give much benefit. It is a catch 22 you want your child to do well, but when they get to where they should be ,help is pulled away. I’ve been told it might happen to my child as her reading has been improving. I would like to know how others are handling the same kind of situation and would be interested in seeing if you were able to get an IEP or even a 504 which it sounds like you may not. Keep trying and good luck to you.
I am not familiar with 504 but have been told my child may lose services when grade level is reached and then I would have to rely on the 504 then. My outside speech therapist said if it does happen to make sure to have an arrangement with the school where the school would test every 6 weeks to make sure my child is progressing while on the 504. My child is on an IEP now and I can’t imagine being without it. Good luck-