Do we tell school our son is on medication?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief

We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just

started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the

school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a

horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he

desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told

by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school

work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in

class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at

recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify

because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that

substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I

thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a bit

of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about telling

the school about this new medication.

I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Welcome to the group

I have no suggestions regarding informing the school that your son is on medications as I have not had to deal with that issue.

But, when it comes to the school saying that your child does not quailfy for an IEP. I am dealing with that. I have been fighting with the school for 3 months now. I have found services outside of the school day and I am taking my daughter out of school almost every day (which the school does not like). I brought in the chart notes from our doctor stating the diagnosis of Aspergers as well as speech and OT evaluations. I put in a formal written letter asking for an IEP evaluation (which they have to complete legally with in 60 days).

A huge loop hole that I found in Idaho is that the school has to put your child on an IEP if the child qualifies for speech, OT, or classroom adaptions (fidgets for your child, a disc seat for your child to sit on, etc).

I hope this helps some.

From: edhjennifer <jrkoehler@...>Subject: ( ) Do we tell school our son is on medication? Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 3:08 AM

Hello,This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief :)We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully

this gives you a bit of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about telling the school about this new medication. I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

[Guest guest]

This really gets to me all the parents with kids with AS that

can't get services. Oh my goodness! It is so unfair. Of course your son

qualifies for services. You need to make the " case " and I mean

that in the way a lawyer would. If you can afford a special ed lawyer

they will help. If not ask your child's pyschiatrist or neurologist for a strong

advocacy letter. It needs to say " he has a DX of AS. He needs services for

social impairment. He needs accomodations for

sensory overload (if he does) " . You need to make your case.

It helps too to have a pyschologist that is AS knowledgeable

that will help too write a advocacy letter. You want this on

paper more than a call.

IEP process is not suppose to be a teacher saying your son doesn't

have autism. The IEP process is an evalaution that involves an evaluation from

the OT, the PT, a learning consultant and

in your case you have to insist that a neuropsychological evaluation

be done or else you need to ask for a neurodevelopmental evaulation

(since he is still young). Ask your pschitrist to help you or change

doctors with one that will do just a little advocacy. Come on these

doctors have to get involved not everyone can afford lawyers

and advocates. I did hire a lawyer and he wrote a letter

to me telling me to get going on getting the pschiatrist and

psychologist to get involved. So I pass that on to you.

Do all this requesting for an IEP in writing and have it sent

registered to Directory of special services at your school.

Letter should at least say:

I request an IEP evaulation for my child. He has a DX of AS from

Dr. so and so. We request that a neurodevelopmental or

neuropsychological eval be part of the evaluation.

Include letter's from any specialist that will write one.

Usually a neurologist writes a pretty good letter. This is

their specialty for goodness sake!!!!

I wish you good luck dealing with the school.

Pam

-- In , " edhjennifer " <jrkoehler@...> wrote:

>

> Hello,

> This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief

> We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just

started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the

school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a

horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he

desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told

by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school

work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in

class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at

recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify

because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that

substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I

thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a bit

of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about telling

the school about this new medication.

> I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

>

[Guest guest]

We encountered this same situation as well, and it turned out to be a double-edged sword for us. My son was in Kindergarten when diagnosed and started on meds; I approached the principal and then made a presentation to the entire teaching staff about autism/aspergers behaviors, challenges they may face when teaching my son, etc... I thought being open about all of it would show that we were doing everything we could as parents from our end. The problems came during times when meds were being adjusted and behaviors were out of whack - the teachers were just not knowledgeable enough nor did they have the time (or desire) to deal with my son. At the beginning of this year, I was called to the principal's office and told we needed to explore other options for him (he was in a private catholic school) as this school could not accommodate the individualized attention he needed, nor were they willing to work with us during transition times. I think since we were upfront, they could use the information provided not as a tool to better educate, but as ammunition to get rid of what they perceived as a problem. I pulled him out of school this year and am homeschooling him - he's in the third grade.

Don't know if this will help you - just one experience.

From: jrkoehler@...Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:08:46 +0000Subject: ( ) Do we tell school our son is on medication?

Hello,This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief :)We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a bit of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about telling the school about this new medication. I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.

[Guest guest]

Just my thoughts but I'll second writing that letter requesting an IEP due this

his diagnosis from Dr. XX. Add to it what you said about his not understanding

the work, can't keep up with the teacher, hard time focusing...even add the

suspicion that he might be picked on. Do a " cc " to the principal too. Those

classroom reasons alone show he needs support.

As to telling them he's on medication -- that differs with parents. But if he's

taking it only at home, doesn't need a dose at school, you don't have to tell

them, no reason they need to know. Some parents don't mention it (or a med

change) as they want to wait and see if the teacher comments on any improvements

in class or the opposite. Then again, some parents will tell as they want the

teacher to be aware and pay more attention so parents can get feedback. So

really it's just up to you whether to inform them or not.

Good luck and keep us updated!

>

> Hello,

> This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief

> We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just

started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the

school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it

[Guest guest]

If for no other reason - the school needs to know so they can inform medical

professionals if the need ever arises.

I always keep a current list in my son's backpack just in case somebody needs to

call 911 while he's at school - that way the paramedics don't make some horrible

mistake that could be prevented.

>

>

> From: edhjennifer <jrkoehler@...>

> Subject: ( ) Do we tell school our son is on medication?

>

> Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 3:08 AM

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> Hello,

> This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief

> We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just

started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the

school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a

horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he

desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told

by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school

work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in

class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at

recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify

because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that

substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I

thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a bit

of information on our situation and the reason we're

> hesitating about telling the school about this new medication.

> I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome. I just ran down and checked with a friend who works with

Protection and Advocacy. She said that Asperger's is under the umbrella for

austim and so you son would qualify. Someone else asked if he was getting

speech. If yes, they can qualify him under that also for the time being. What

state are you in?

As far as the medication, it is up to you if he is not taking it at school. I

know that we have always had Lucas meds noted in the paperwork at school. One of

the reasons is if there is an emergency and we are not able to answer, the

school will transport to a hospital. The hospitals need to know accurately what

medication he is on. At one point he was on Risperdone and it is

counter-indicated with benedryl, it can cause heart attacks if taken together.

That is why I keep the school informed of any medication.

When you request the IEP in writing, you need to state clearly that you want the

district representative there. Let me know what state, and I will see if we have

more info I can give you here. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

>

> Hello,

> This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief

> We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just

started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the

school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a

horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he

desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told

by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school

work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in

class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at

recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify

because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that

substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I

thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a bit

of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about telling

the school about this new medication.

> I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

>

[Guest guest]

We're in Northern California. We have the IEP set up for March 3rd and we're working with a special ed. advocate. We had the initial IEP in November, but we didn't sign it and the school didn't follow up. We brought it to their attention a couple of weeks ago, so we have the appt. set. They've already told us he doesn't qualify at the initial meeting, but since we didn't sign it we decided to hire a special ed. advocate to help us out at the follow up meeting. I'm hoping the school will come to their senses and give him the help he needs. I'm having doubts because the teacher and special ed. teacher continue to tell us he's meeting the standards and that's the reason he won't qualify. I'm confused since the teacher has told me all year he's having problems and has made a note of it in progress reports.

( ) Re: Do we tell school our son is on medication?

Hi and welcome. I just ran down and checked with a friend who works with Protection and Advocacy. She said that Asperger's is under the umbrella for austim and so you son would qualify. Someone else asked if he was getting speech. If yes, they can qualify him under that also for the time being. What state are you in? As far as the medication, it is up to you if he is not taking it at school. I know that we have always had Lucas meds noted in the paperwork at school. One of the reasons is if there is an emergency and we are not able to answer, the school will transport to a hospital. The hospitals need to know accurately what medication he is on. At one point he was on Risperdone and it is counter-indicated with benedryl, it can cause heart attacks if taken together. That is why I keep the school informed of any medication. When you request the IEP in writing, you need to state clearly that you want the district representative there. Let me know what state, and I will see if we have more info I can give you here. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!>> Hello,> This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief > We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he just started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're told by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the school work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing in class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a bit of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about telling the school about this new medication. > I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!>

[Guest guest]

“At one point he was on Risperidone and it is counter-indicated

with Benadryl, it can cause heart attacks if taken together.”

This is so not true!! Risperidone and Benadryl have no

negative effects if taken together. As a matter of fact, if you end up with

stiff muscles, etc, from Risperidone, they recommend you take Benadryl to

relieve it! Benadryl LIVES in my purse, and at the school for my son, because he,

in addition to Asperger’s, has an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts. So along

side his epi-pen, lives Benadryl. And he takes Risperidone daily. No cause for

alarm there :-)

Just thought I’d let you know you don’t have to panic with

Risperidone and Benadryl – and you may want to speak to your DR if you’re

unsure !!!

=)

From:

[mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Chelle

Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 5:41 PM

Subject: ( ) Re: Do we tell school our son is on

medication?

Hi and welcome. I just ran down and checked

with a friend who works with Protection and Advocacy. She said that Asperger's

is under the umbrella for austim and so you son would qualify. Someone else

asked if he was getting speech. If yes, they can qualify him under that also

for the time being. What state are you in?

As far as the medication, it is up to you if he is not taking it at school. I

know that we have always had Lucas meds noted in the paperwork at school. One

of the reasons is if there is an emergency and we are not able to answer, the

school will transport to a hospital. The hospitals need to know accurately what

medication he is on. At one point he was on Risperdone and it is counter-indicated

with benedryl, it can cause heart attacks if taken together. That is why I keep

the school informed of any medication.

When you request the IEP in writing, you need to state clearly that you want

the district representative there. Let me know what state, and I will see if we

have more info I can give you here. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

>

> Hello,

> This is my first time on here so I'll try to be brief

> We have a 7 year old son (1st grade) diagnosed with Asperger's, and he

just started taking Abilify today. We're trying to decide if we should tell the

school he's on medication. We're hesitant about it because we are having a

horrible time trying to get the school to give our son the services he

desperately needs. We've been told he doesn't qualify for an IEP, yet we're

told by the teacher he's falling behind everyday. He doesn't understand the

school work, teacher goes too fast for him and he has a very hard time focusing

in class. He doesn't have any friends and we believe he's being picked on at

recess. We've been told by the special ed. teacher that our son doesn't qualify

because he doesn't have Autism and he doesn't have an impairment that

substantially limits a major life activity. I was confused by this because I

thought Asperger's is on the Autism spectrum. So, hopefully this gives you a

bit of information on our situation and the reason we're hesitating about

telling the school about this new medication.

> I appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

>