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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.
Hi Savan's Mom, I'm so glad that you took the time and persevered to find us. You are obviously a good and caring mother. Go You!
You daughter certianly sounds like she is having organizational trouble AND that she isn't getting her learning needs met. She certianly could be both ADD and 2E. Most schools will give a 504 for ADD, but few schools have a mental catagory called '2E.' BTW - you need to work with a MD of somekind to actually get diagnosed with ADD. It's not a label a teacher can properly attach to your kid.
The first person to work with, is your child's teacher(s) - have you expressed your concerns to them? All the indications that she has ADD are organzational skill that need to be strengthened (diagnosis or no diagnosis) and step need to be taken by you and the teachers. A 504 is supposed to be a tool to help you 'force' the teachers to be 'on the team' but building a relationship with the teachers is 1000x more important.
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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."
Obviously the person you were listening to was just plain wrong. You must prepare yourself that professionals often say untrue things in a very secure tone of voice. I'm sorry that this happens, but you have to just 'assume' that the person knows better now,(or is praying for you to educate them if they are currently a decision maker in your child's life) and start fresh dealing with the current problems. I wouldn't be surprised if the person who gave out this wrong info was the gifted coordinator - that still doesn't make the sky green on most days. It's also possible that you misinterpreted or misremembered the conversation. Certainly if you confront the person now, that is what they will probably claim. (hey, they lied to you once!)
I would make a request for a full assesment based on LD, and I would outline on the request the specifics that indicate to you that her need for learning challenge isn't being met. The testing that they will do is probably very similar.
As for the gifted program, not all gifted programs are helpful to all gifted kids. Some are a waste of time, or worse, can have negative affects on a child. You child might be gifted and a bad fit for what ever services are currently offered. So the trick is to figure out - A) What does she need? B) How can the school's resources be used to help her get what she needs?
Example: math - needs more challenge How: http://www.ilvirtual.org/ or subject acceleration or once a week 'Math Club' during recess.
Spelling - not learning to how to learn how: Child has a spelling notebook, and when she comes across a word she doesn't recognize in her reading, she writes it down. Every week she finds 10 words, and is tested on them during class spelling tests. OR Teacher provide harder list, OR Parent provides harder list.
Late Homework - In 5th grade, many teachers are willing to do a daily 'assignment book check' and initial that the homework listing is complete and correct. Then it's Mom's turn to see evidence that the homework is completed when the backpack is packed up the night before and initial the book. Turning in the homework can be tricky, but if that turns into an issues, there are things to try. Eventually you'll find the right plan that will work for your child.
State law in Illinos might give you more than what I've outlined, so I hope someone from nearby chimes in here. Here is a link to Illinos's state of education website regarding legislation. Take a look and see if it says anything that might help:
Seems like a phone consult with GDC is a great idea. Ask them how to get the school to pay for a work up, also ask them if they can look at the schools numbers from the tests that the school does and give some advice and support based on those numbers. They may tell you that you want a copy of the 'raw scores' (or someother technical name) faxed to them.
Welcome Savan's Mom! The only thing I'd add to Grinity's great advice is to consider reading this book: Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parents' Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning (Paperback) by Joyce Cooper-Kahn (Ph.D.) (Author), Laurie Dietzel (Ph.D.) (Author) http://www.amazon.com/Late-Lost-Unprepared-Executive-Functioning/dp/1890627844
It addresses the fact that many people assume people with strong intelligence naturally have good executive skills but these are only moderately correlated. We know highly gifted students may experience below average impulse control, planning and organizational skills.
The book also discusses assessments and says if you disagree with the evaluation conducted at your child's school, you have the right to request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) or additional testing. More info about IEE's here: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.iee.steedman.htm
welcome!! i agree the phone consult is a great idea. Your daughter does sound like she is 2E and i think you are on the right track with all of this irene
