Help! I think my child is being discriminated against due to his disablity. My son suffers from ADD/Inattentive as well as limited work productivity due to low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence. His electives were heavily weighted with memorization, and so I was extremely pleased when he was just given a video production class. The next day he came home and said that the regular education teacher who teaches it said he didn’t want him in that class because he doesn’t always finish his work. Is that legal for them to deny him the opportunity to participate in that class because he has trouble completing work. Especially since I have requested that he have hands on classes which they have not provided for him all year. I am so upset because I have been working so hard to get his self confidence up. I requested he remain in that class and the Principle denied me. What can I do? Any suggestions would be extremely helpful since I would like to address it tomorrow.
Re: Need advise about discrimination!
Is he on a 504 plan? Does it address his difficulties with completing work? If yes, then failure to complete work should not keep him out of an elective class. Also, it is doubtful that the reason he fails to complete work is low self-esteem and lack of self confidence. Instead, failing to complete work is pretty much a standard feature in ADHD, particularly inattentive ADHD, and most particularly when the ADHD itself is not being effectively addressed. All the more reason, of course that he should not be excluded from the class, as it does in fact single him out because of his disability. The low self-esteem, etc., are consequences of situations like the one in which he finds himself now and, perhaps, of needing better management of his ADHD symptoms. What kinds of things have been done to help with the ADHD?
Doreen
Discrimination
Thanks for responding. He does not have a 504 plan, but not completing work is part of his IEP goals and objectives. That’s why I felt he could not be excluded based on difficulties completing work, especially as you say ADD/Inattentive children typically have trouble completing work. This is a vocational hands-on class (video production) & I have requested “hands-on” classes in every IEP meeting ever held (5 years worth). It shocked me that he would be denied this opportunity. The teacher directly told him that he didn’t want him in this class because he didn’t complete all his work in Social Studies. I am not sure what basis they can deny him. Worse case scenereo, couldn’t I request an aide to assist with task completion since “task completion” is listed as an IEP goal and objective.
He is extremely hurt and upset that they will not give him a chance in a class that he feels he has talent in.
i don’t have any specific answers. but i would begin by asking the teacher/principal for the exact reason for denying your child the opportunity to take the class. voice your concerns to them, and then ask them to put their answers in WRITING. it seems when you ask for it in writing- things change very quickly. if they are truly wrong about denying your child the opportunity to take the class, they will be hesitant to do this. feel free to tell them that after you receive this in writing (give them a deadline- by monday, etc) that you will seek further advice on the information you have been given. i can’t think of any reason any child can be denied the opportunity to learn. is your child on an IEP? if so, refer to your state board of education to provide you with (in writing) your childs rights regarding his disabilities. there are laws in place, both federal and in your local state to protect your child’s right to learn.
good luck….i hope this helps some!