Hi,

I'm just getting started and trying to determine my rights. I have a daughter age 11 in 5th grade. School is telling me she has ADD and moving for a team meeting to put a 504 plan in place Oct. 13th, but I think she may be 2E. Up until 3rd grade she was in enrichment classes. In 3rd, she was kicked out due to her organizational issues and lack of focus in class. I was told she didn't belong in an enrichment program as "her problems are an indication that she's not gifted. Gifted children do not have these problems."

Fast forward 2 years. She still reads about 2 grades above grade level, gets 100% on everything she turns in and was recently tutoring students in algebra because she's ahead of everyone else in her class and bored (which I communicated to her teacher). Spelling is a no-brainer for her. If you take away the low grades due to late homework, incorrect headings on papers, open book tests done without her book, etc., she's an "A" student without effort. Her teacher commented today that she's surprised how well she does given how little focus she has in class. Yet, her school only sees the ADD part and is keeping her from enrichment/gifted classes "until she can keep up" meaning her organizational issues.

Last year her learning style was assessed as kinesthetic, with strong visual and weak auditory, but that's the only testing school has done except some observations by the school psychologist for in-class focus. I know I can request a full assessment from the school based on LD, but I don't know if that can include a request for gifted testing too. Also, can I request a specific facility do the 2E testing if I go through the school? I am currently scheduled for a phone consult with The Gifted Development Center/Linda Silverman and would like her tested by them. I am a single parent, no child support or health insurance so I need to get the school district to pay for this, if possible. I'm in Illinos and would appreciate any help or advice. I'm researching too, but having a hard time finding what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance!