Re: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

[Guest guest]

So far we have not needed this. I am wondering what kinds of accompdations

people have had for their kids (my dd will be in 4th grade).  I dont think

there is a need, at this point, but I am not sure what this year will bring. 

Things have been the worst ever for her this summer and school work is going to

be harder.  Plus this year our school district has LOTS of BIG changes, so that

makes it harder for her (and all the kids).

Sharon

To:

Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 8:18 PM

Subject: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can be

very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the school.

You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school environment,

schoolwork, etc.

had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was doing

his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was an

accommodation we had in the Plan)

Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about our

FILES too!

[Guest guest]

So far we have not needed this. I am wondering what kinds of accompdations

people have had for their kids (my dd will be in 4th grade).  I dont think

there is a need, at this point, but I am not sure what this year will bring. 

Things have been the worst ever for her this summer and school work is going to

be harder.  Plus this year our school district has LOTS of BIG changes, so that

makes it harder for her (and all the kids).

Sharon

To:

Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 8:18 PM

Subject: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can be

very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the school.

You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school environment,

schoolwork, etc.

had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was doing

his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was an

accommodation we had in the Plan)

Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about our

FILES too!

[Guest guest]

So far we have not needed this. I am wondering what kinds of accompdations

people have had for their kids (my dd will be in 4th grade).  I dont think

there is a need, at this point, but I am not sure what this year will bring. 

Things have been the worst ever for her this summer and school work is going to

be harder.  Plus this year our school district has LOTS of BIG changes, so that

makes it harder for her (and all the kids).

Sharon

To:

Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 8:18 PM

Subject: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can be

very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the school.

You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school environment,

schoolwork, etc.

had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was doing

his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was an

accommodation we had in the Plan)

Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about our

FILES too!

[Guest guest]

My child is also going into the 4th grade and I am worried. I have her in Aikido

and other such programs. My goal is to build on her inner strengths and esteem

and provide a social structure.

 

I still contend with the ex who refuses to name this which results in a lot of

shame and guilt for my child.

 

I thank you all for the book list that has been a big help.

 

-JuLeah

I could have freed hundreds more if only I had been able to convince them they

were slaves. Harriet Tubman

To: " " < >

Sent: Friday, August 5, 2011 7:54 AM

Subject: Re: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

So far we have not needed this. I am wondering what kinds of accompdations

people have had for their kids (my dd will be in 4th grade).  I dont think

there is a need, at this point, but I am not sure what this year will bring. 

Things have been the worst ever for her this summer and school work is going to

be harder.  Plus this year our school district has LOTS of BIG changes, so that

makes it harder for her (and all the kids).

Sharon

To:

Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 8:18 PM

Subject: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can be

very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the school.

You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school environment,

schoolwork, etc.

had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was doing

his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was an

accommodation we had in the Plan)

Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about our

FILES too!

[Guest guest]

Well, I did get a 504 for my son last year - he was in 4th grade. I also had an

amazing teacher, social worker, etc. So, it did help. At the end of the year,

he was a mess. So, I wish I had utilized it more. He is going into 5th grade

and I am a nervous wreck. He just gets frustrated when he makes mistakes and

when he is rushed, especially by the teacher. His 504 plan states that he can

have extra time for assignments and tests and can go to an alternate setting for

tests. He gets all A's and B's, but again, we had an amazing teacher. I don't

know who he has yet, but as soon as I find out, I will be contacting the teacher

to set up a meeting as soon as possible. I think it is well worth it to get a

504 plan - it was a lifesaver for us last year.

>

> So far we have not needed this. I am wondering what kinds of accompdations

people have had for their kids (my dd will be in 4th grade).  I dont think

there is a need, at this point, but I am not sure what this year will bring. 

Things have been the worst ever for her this summer and school work is going to

be harder.  Plus this year our school district has LOTS of BIG changes, so that

makes it harder for her (and all the kids).

> Sharon

>

>

> To:

> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 8:18 PM

> Subject: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

>

>

>  

> Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

>

> If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can

be very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the

school. You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school

environment, schoolwork, etc.

>

> had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was

doing his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was

an accommodation we had in the Plan)

>

> Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about

our FILES too!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My feeling is have it in place so that if you need it , it can be enacted at a

moments notice. The way schools work, it can take weeks to even months to get

one of these plans approved. I listed some of the accomidations we have needed

in the past but the plan also states " and new accomidations which may arise as

needed per the parent or classroom teacher(s) " . That way nothing is set in

stone given the ever changing and morphing face of OCD and the compulsions. It

also states that the there are to be no accomidations if none are needed. We

have not needed anything for the last 2 years and I hope we never do, but I want

the plan there just in case.

[Guest guest]

I'll list some accommodations we had, and others that I've read other parents

had.

had issues with writing and reading. His writing became illegible, he

had trouble with writing itself, but also sometimes just couldn't pick up a

pencil for fear of getting " stuck " getting the feeling " right " in his hand, so

would be stuck feeling the pencil until it felt right, etc. Reading, his speed

slowed WAY down and could spend the entire class time just trying to get through

a couple paragraphs. And then he also had other distractions due to OCD, which

would affect being able to work.

We had in his 504 Plan that he could bring home unfinished work (vs having to

turn it in that day).

I was allowed to write for him. So he could dictate to me his homework and

answers, etc.

Since reading was a problem, they knew I was reading his books and homework to

him at home, so extra time needed in that way too.

He could turn in work late with no grade penalty. This was in middle school,

several teachers. So " how late " varied with each teacher. Some were great and

just said before the end of the grading period! Others wanted it within 2 weeks

or so.

He had no time limit on tests, and that included those state tests given each

year. He'd be removed to an alternate setting to finish if needed. (he really

didn't use this one, but was generally the last finished in class)

He could write short answers on homework, vs writing a complete sentence. They

also gave him the option of fewer math problems or fewer chapter questions, to

save him some writing. But he wouldn't do that, said he HAD to do what all the

others in class were doing. (he didn't like being different) With the math, I

could see not doing less because they exchanged papers with other classmates to

check each day, so his would have been different if he'd done this.

Over time we worked on his taking some of the writing back. So he may start the

homework, but when he tired or OCD acted up, I took it back to finish the rest.

He got teacher notes when available, to save his having to write notes dictated

in class. One teacher gave him all the vocabulary definitions so he wouldn't

have to look them up, she already had written and made him a copy. (I liked

that one; another other class we had to look up and write it all - which means I

was doing it since he had the reading & writing issue! but he was listening to

me read the definitions)

Some children do well with a " safe place " to go to when anxiety gets them during

class. They can have a signal with the teacher so they can leave class. The

library or someone's office (a counselor or the secretary or...) that they can

go to and try to relax and return later to class.

With schoolwork, we tried to have THIS week's work finished and turned in by the

following Monday. So if we didn't get something done Wednesday night, we had

the rest of the week & weekend to do and turn it in on Monday. Some things we

did nightly, like math, since we knew it would be checked in class. And if

tests were coming up that week, wanted to get chapters read before test, etc.

He did have some reports due in class but those weren't shared, so things like

that we could delay when needed.

Quick thoughts, I'm sure there was more,

[Guest guest]

How did he geel about taking tests in an alternate setting?  My dd does not

like things that m ake her stand out like that.  I wonder about that, how the

child who leaves for tests feels about it and if the other kids say anything.

Sharon

To:

Sent: Saturday, August 6, 2011 6:01 AM

Subject: Re: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

Well, I did get a 504 for my son last year - he was in 4th grade. I also had an

amazing teacher, social worker, etc. So, it did help. At the end of the year, he

was a mess. So, I wish I had utilized it more. He is going into 5th grade and I

am a nervous wreck. He just gets frustrated when he makes mistakes and when he

is rushed, especially by the teacher. His 504 plan states that he can have extra

time for assignments and tests and can go to an alternate setting for tests. He

gets all A's and B's, but again, we had an amazing teacher. I don't know who he

has yet, but as soon as I find out, I will be contacting the teacher to set up a

meeting as soon as possible. I think it is well worth it to get a 504 plan - it

was a lifesaver for us last year.

>

> So far we have not needed this. I am wondering what kinds of accompdations

people have had for their kids (my dd will be in 4th grade).  I dont think

there is a need, at this point, but I am not sure what this year will bring. 

Things have been the worst ever for her this summer and school work is going to

be harder.  Plus this year our school district has LOTS of BIG changes, so

that makes it harder for her (and all the kids).

> Sharon

>

>

> To:

> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 8:18 PM

> Subject: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

>

>

>  

> Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

>

> If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can

be very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the

school. You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school

environment, schoolwork, etc.

>

> had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was

doing his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was

an accommodation we had in the Plan)

>

> Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about

our FILES too!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

What kinds of accomidations have you needed in the past?  Just trying to be

prepared just in case!

Sharon

To: " " < >

Sent: Saturday, August 6, 2011 7:25 AM

Subject: Re: School will be starting - IEP and 504 Plans

 

My feeling is have it in place so that if you need it , it can be enacted at a

moments notice. The way schools work, it can take weeks to even months to get

one of these plans approved. I listed some of the accomidations we have needed

in the past but the plan also states " and new accomidations which may arise as

needed per the parent or classroom teacher(s) " . That way nothing is set in stone

given the ever changing and morphing face of OCD and the compulsions. It also

states that the there are to be no accomidations if none are needed. We have not

needed anything for the last 2 years and I hope we never do, but I want the plan

there just in case.

[Guest guest]

good to know. t hanks! so far the only thing we had was if dd had a panic

attack (started end of last school year), she could leave the classroom and go

to the nurse or social worker. she did go to the nurse one time, was there

about 40 mins, then went back to class. that is the only time she needed it

last year. i am sure we will start the year needing that. she did not have an

IEP or 504, it was just an arrangement with her teacher and other staff.

Sharon

>

> I'll list some accommodations we had, and others that I've read other parents

had.

>

> had issues with writing and reading. His writing became illegible, he

had trouble with writing itself, but also sometimes just couldn't pick up a

pencil for fear of getting " stuck " getting the feeling " right " in his hand, so

would be stuck feeling the pencil until it felt right, etc. Reading, his speed

slowed WAY down and could spend the entire class time just trying to get through

a couple paragraphs. And then he also had other distractions due to OCD, which

would affect being able to work.

>

> We had in his 504 Plan that he could bring home unfinished work (vs having to

turn it in that day).

>

> I was allowed to write for him. So he could dictate to me his homework and

answers, etc.

>

> Since reading was a problem, they knew I was reading his books and homework to

him at home, so extra time needed in that way too.

>

> He could turn in work late with no grade penalty. This was in middle school,

several teachers. So " how late " varied with each teacher. Some were great and

just said before the end of the grading period! Others wanted it within 2 weeks

or so.

>

> He had no time limit on tests, and that included those state tests given each

year. He'd be removed to an alternate setting to finish if needed. (he really

didn't use this one, but was generally the last finished in class)

>

> He could write short answers on homework, vs writing a complete sentence.

They also gave him the option of fewer math problems or fewer chapter questions,

to save him some writing. But he wouldn't do that, said he HAD to do what all

the others in class were doing. (he didn't like being different) With the

math, I could see not doing less because they exchanged papers with other

classmates to check each day, so his would have been different if he'd done

this.

>

> Over time we worked on his taking some of the writing back. So he may start

the homework, but when he tired or OCD acted up, I took it back to finish the

rest.

>

> He got teacher notes when available, to save his having to write notes

dictated in class. One teacher gave him all the vocabulary definitions so he

wouldn't have to look them up, she already had written and made him a copy. (I

liked that one; another other class we had to look up and write it all - which

means I was doing it since he had the reading & writing issue! but he was

listening to me read the definitions)

>

> Some children do well with a " safe place " to go to when anxiety gets them

during class. They can have a signal with the teacher so they can leave class.

The library or someone's office (a counselor or the secretary or...) that they

can go to and try to relax and return later to class.

>

> With schoolwork, we tried to have THIS week's work finished and turned in by

the following Monday. So if we didn't get something done Wednesday night, we

had the rest of the week & weekend to do and turn it in on Monday. Some things

we did nightly, like math, since we knew it would be checked in class. And if

tests were coming up that week, wanted to get chapters read before test, etc.

He did have some reports due in class but those weren't shared, so things like

that we could delay when needed.

>

> Quick thoughts, I'm sure there was more,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WE have used several in the past but none now. Let's see....

-Can go to the gym and throw a tennis ball at the wall if needed

-Cal leave class at any time to " get a drink " ( subtext check locker, do some

mental ritual that needs to be done, is anxious, cant sit still etc)

_Can wear a hat( an ocd dressing ritual)

-Teachers are to write on sticky notes and past them to his papers with comments

rather than mar the perfect paper with their comments

- Excused from NECAP tests for 1 year for psychologic reasons

-Informed about all fire and safety drills ahead of time

- Can request a meeting with school psychologist when he wants to

- Always in a classroom that has an aid( extra adult in the room- not his

personal aid)

- Should not be seated next to or made to stand in line next to kids with

physical deformities who he thought he could " catch " it from.

-Limiting sinage and discussions about hand washing and germs in his classroom

- Do not get in trouble for repeatedly licking his desk and shoes( yes, you

heard me right, licking shoes)

- He is allowed to call home at any time he needs to ( still uses this one

sometimes to " check " on the plans for afterschool- ie pickup or taking bus home

even though it is the last thing I tell him in the morning before he goes to

school.)

- For a year we needed test taking accomidations- basicly, he was not

comfortable with any question he had to think about, where the answer did not

instantly come to his mind, so when he got to one of those questions he got

stuck and could go no further on the test- couldnt even skip it and come back to

it- just stuck. So, he would work on it in class until he got stuck, t hen bring

the rest home and I would help him finish the test. Then, any problem I helped

him on I would put a sticky note on with the content of my help( ie anxiety

control and helping him think throug the problem vs a knowlege base problem) and

hand it back in- the teacher would grade the test based on my comments of what I

helped him with and his knowlege of Quinns understanding of the subject in

class- this was in 5th grade. By the end of 5th grade he took his first whole

test at school! By 6th grade he was taking all tests at school and again taking

NECAPS! By 7th and 8th grade scoring proficient with distinction on them.

-WE also went through a period of time where we used homework and tests as

CBT/ERP and specificly handed in assingments and tests with wrong answers and

got " bad grades " on them. Quinn did not know that I had cut a bit of a deal

with the teacher on this so he thought he was really getting bad grades so it

worked well as ERP, but really he was being graded on doing the homework , not

the content since he was a good studnet and his teacher felt he knew the content

and I explained the importance of doing this as a way to help him be able to

take tests at school and not get stuck.

- Request the " qualities " he needs in a teacher- not the specific teacher

- I am sure there are others but I cant think of them right now. As I said, he

has used notthing over the last 2 years( going into 9th grade this year). He

still does some quirky OCD things like needing to fill every square inch of a

piece of paper once he writes on it, but his teachers think that is "

hardworking " and dont hastle him for it. He also had a hatred for periods in

sentances which is so strong that I suspect it is OCD but he wont admit it. His

teachers dont seem to mind ??????!!!!!! ( doesnt say such great things about

public education these days) and say he knows the rules of where they belong.

He also checks in with his teachers at the end of each school day to clarify

what is due for homework the next day ( they think he is a responsible kid) but

he only checks once.

Hope that helps- they are obviously very specificto the kid and their particular

needs at the time. Quinn seems to keep his regular obsessions and compulsions

but hen " try on " new ones all the time, so you never know what might come up

which is why I put in the new acomidations as needed clause.

Good luck with it.

[Guest guest]

Good resource that may help

http://www.valleysnafu.com/iep.goal.bank.pdf

Bonnie

>

> Public school will be starting here in a couple weeks, so thought I'd remind

everyone that we have information in our FILES section in the School Related

folder.

>

> If OCD is interfering at school, or in getting homework done at home, it can

be very helpful to get either a 504 Plan or an IEP set up for them with the

school. You can have accommodations made for them regarding their school

environment, schoolwork, etc.

>

> had a 504 Plan and it was a lifesaver for us. (though since I was

doing his homework writing for him, it was a tough time too! my doing that was

an accommodation we had in the Plan)

>

> Feel free to post questions here too, but thought I'd remind everyone about

our FILES too!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

wow, these are great accomodations! It's not the public school system, it's

the particular school. Or maybe a lot of the schools in your SD are like

this? My ds' teachers didn't even want to exempt him from varying his

reading genres (ds tends to get stuck on reading material, and doesn't need

genre restrictions to make things worse). Your son's teachers sound much

more enlightened.

On Sun, Aug 7, 2011 at 7:44 AM, Trabulsy, <mario.trabulsy@...

> wrote:

> **

>

>

> WE have used several in the past but none now. Let's see....

>

> -Can go to the gym and throw a tennis ball at the wall if needed

> -Cal leave class at any time to " get a drink " ( subtext check locker, do

> some mental ritual that needs to be done, is anxious, cant sit still etc)

> _Can wear a hat( an ocd dressing ritual)

> -Teachers are to write on sticky notes and past them to his papers with

> comments rather than mar the perfect paper with their comments

> - Excused from NECAP tests for 1 year for psychologic reasons

> -Informed about all fire and safety drills ahead of time

> - Can request a meeting with school psychologist when he wants to

> - Always in a classroom that has an aid( extra adult in the room- not his

> personal aid)

> - Should not be seated next to or made to stand in line next to kids with

> physical deformities who he thought he could " catch " it from.

> -Limiting sinage and discussions about hand washing and germs in his

> classroom

> - Do not get in trouble for repeatedly licking his desk and shoes( yes, you

> heard me right, licking shoes)

> - He is allowed to call home at any time he needs to ( still uses this one

> sometimes to " check " on the plans for afterschool- ie pickup or taking bus

> home even though it is the last thing I tell him in the morning before he

> goes to school.)

> - For a year we needed test taking accomidations- basicly, he was not

> comfortable with any question he had to think about, where the answer did

> not instantly come to his mind, so when he got to one of those questions he

> got stuck and could go no further on the test- couldnt even skip it and come

> back to it- just stuck. So, he would work on it in class until he got stuck,

> t hen bring the rest home and I would help him finish the test. Then, any

> problem I helped him on I would put a sticky note on with the content of my

> help( ie anxiety control and helping him think throug the problem vs a

> knowlege base problem) and hand it back in- the teacher would grade the test

> based on my comments of what I helped him with and his knowlege of Quinns

> understanding of the subject in class- this was in 5th grade. By the end of

> 5th grade he took his first whole test at school! By 6th grade he was taking

> all tests at school and again taking NECAPS! By 7th and 8th grade scoring

> proficient with distinction on them.

>

> -WE also went through a period of time where we used homework and tests as

> CBT/ERP and specificly handed in assingments and tests with wrong answers

> and got " bad grades " on them. Quinn did not know that I had cut a bit of a

> deal with the teacher on this so he thought he was really getting bad grades

> so it worked well as ERP, but really he was being graded on doing the

> homework , not the content since he was a good studnet and his teacher felt

> he knew the content and I explained the importance of doing this as a way to

> help him be able to take tests at school and not get stuck.

>

> - Request the " qualities " he needs in a teacher- not the specific teacher

>

> - I am sure there are others but I cant think of them right now. As I said,

> he has used notthing over the last 2 years( going into 9th grade this year).

> He still does some quirky OCD things like needing to fill every square inch

> of a piece of paper once he writes on it, but his teachers think that is "

> hardworking " and dont hastle him for it. He also had a hatred for periods in

> sentances which is so strong that I suspect it is OCD but he wont admit it.

> His teachers dont seem to mind ??????!!!!!! ( doesnt say such great things

> about public education these days) and say he knows the rules of where they

> belong. He also checks in with his teachers at the end of each school day to

> clarify what is due for homework the next day ( they think he is a

> responsible kid) but he only checks once.

>

> Hope that helps- they are obviously very specificto the kid and their

> particular needs at the time. Quinn seems to keep his regular obsessions and

> compulsions but hen " try on " new ones all the time, so you never know what

> might come up which is why I put in the new acomidations as needed clause.

>

> Good luck with it.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My kids homeschool, but when my older dd (with Asperger's and OCD) was in public

school, one of the things I requested was a place where she could go when she

needed to be alone and decompress. She would just ask the teacher to be excused

and go sit by herself and look at a book or listen to music for a short time.

They didn't approve it, but I still think it's a legitiate accomodation. I also

asked for untimed tests to reduce her anxiety. And seriously, how many times in

your life is somebody going to make you solve a page full of math problems in 3

minutes or less? :-)

I also used to send each teacher a letter and packet of information at the

beginning of the school year, letting them know what to expect and how they

might cope with certain issues that might arise.

I haven't read the replies -- maybe these things have already been suggested.

Hope it helps a bit.

17 y/o dd with OCD, anxiety/depression, NVLD & Asperger's

>>>>>I am wondering what kinds of accompdations people have had for their kids

[Guest guest]

I think the extra time and change of venue for tests is very important. And I

had a friend whose son struggled with homework. She won an accomodation in his

IEP stating she could cut his homework short when she felt he'd had enough.

She'd just have him stop and leave a signed note for the teacher. This reduced

stress and anxiety for both of them, and it didn't compromise his education.

17 y/o dd with OCD, anxiety/depression, NVLD & Asperger's

>

> Well, I did get a 504 for my son last year - he was in 4th grade. I also had

an amazing teacher, social worker, etc. So, it did help. At the end of the

year, he was a mess. So, I wish I had utilized it more. He is going into 5th

grade and I am a nervous wreck. He just gets frustrated when he makes mistakes

and when he is rushed, especially by the teacher. His 504 plan states that he

can have extra time for assignments and tests and can go to an alternate setting

for tests.