My 15 year old bipolar/adhd/ld son is really struggling in school. Though his teachers report he is quiet and respectful he seems completely unable to focus or get work done. He tends to drift off into his inner world and looses track of what is going on and what he is supposed to be doing. The only time he gets work done is with constant teacher direction. Intellectually he is capable of grade level work, though he does have huge spelling and short term memory issues which do create difficulties in some areas. In addition, I believe because learning is such a struggle he has turned off emotionally as well. This is now resulting in him cutting classes which is causing school to view these struggles as behavioral issues as opposed to learning difficulties. Though I do agree that there is a behavioral component, I believe he is acting out because of his difficulties instead of vice-versa. He is cureently in all regular ed classes with access to resource room as needed. After 2 psychiatric admissions last fall, he seems more stable, though in the last month has become more depressed which has led to increased difficulties mentioned above. On the psychiatric testing done while he was hospitalized, he scored a 5 on both digit span and coding and a 7 on symbol search with all other scores in the 14-9 range. Overall, his full scale IQ is 112. The school has declined to provide further testing and will continue his special ed designation and services.
In addition, my son has substance abuse issues and behavioral issues outside of school. Yesterday I spoke with county mental health about beginning process for CRCG meeting. I don’t know what else to do. He is currently attending a substance abuse program, indifidual therapy and seeing psychiatrist regularly. Yesterday, the psychiatrist increased his adderall, and added an antidepressant. We are hoping these will address the issues, but should they not I am wondering what next step should be to address education and truancy issues.
So far school has been unwilling to suggest other services though they do generally seem to follow his extensive IEP. I do not believe it would be in my son’s best interests to move him into the special ed classroom since he is capable of doing grade level work. The only other in-district option basicly puts him into an environment with the ED kids. School is unwilling to pay for out of district placement and I cannot afford to do it myself. Though I know my son would hate it, I am thinking that perhaps a full time aid might be next step and I am sure school will fight that tooth and nail.
Thanks in advance for any ideas