Posted by M.A. on December 15, 1999 at 09:53:39:
In Reply to: How to get school to accomodate? posted by Tammy on December 14, 1999 at 08:32:12:
: Hi. My 10 year old son was diagnosed with NLD last year, with a 15 point spread between his verbal and performance IQ. I am feeling very frustrated with the process of trying to get his school to see that accomodations are necessary and that this disability does affect his school achievement. My son began reading around the time of his second birthday, and has always spoken like a little adult who would make a persuasive lawyer someday. He gave the appearance of a gifted child with slow social and motor skill development. He skipped 2nd grade. In third grade his behavior becaome unmanageable as he consistently “chose” to behave inappropriately. He was suspended from school several times. I felt, and continue to feel, looked down upon as lacking parenting skills. He began showing signs of deppression, and attended therapy for a year and a half. When I asked the school for a special ed eval., they said his qualifying disability was “Social/Emotional”, but that he did not qualify for special ed because he was working at grade level. I sought for further evaluation independantly and found out about the NLD. Because he is not yet failing, the school is supposedly meeting his needs through section 504, but it has been my experience that section 504 really was not intended for children with a severe nuerological dysfunction. I am very concerned. He is now in 5th grade, when writing and problem solving become more important. There are also greater expectations for responsiblity for such things as remembering homework. His grades are starting to drop (from A’s, B’s, and 1 C, to 1A, B’s, C’s and a D). How do I get his school, who seems to be stuck on the idea that his intelligence will make up for any defficiencies he may have, to realize that his future success hinges on them taking appropriate steps to help him now, and not waiting until he is actually failing. How do I get them to safegaurd him against cruelty and misunderstanding that is threatening his mental health? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I know how you feel. We have fought the long fight, but I am happy to report, with a good deal of success. You must deal with your school district, not always the school itself. It is the district’s responsibility to provide and “appropriate” education for a “disabled” child. There is federal case law that recognizes NLD, not so much by name, but by the difference in the verbal/Performance IQ. This is federal law (ADA) also, not just state. If you cannot hire an advocate to receive some accomodations, I suggest you visit another website “LDOnline.” They have case law, etc. which you can use in letters to the DISTRICT asking that accomodations be provided. If the district is not responsive, you may have to go to due process.
None of this is particularly pleasant. I believe it is necessary to achieve some kind of success and appropriate future for your child. My son is a junior now and I feel like the District and special ed dept. at the school hates us. But, my son is thriving. One time, a secretary at the special ed dept. told me that she thought it was great how my husband and I have pursued them for assistance. She said that it made her feel like she didn’t do enough for her own ld child. That statement was enough to keep us going. Right now, we have everything we have wanted: accomodations such as extra time, social worker for anxiety, private tutoring (because it became clear that the resource teachers can’t help him). Everything is working out – for now.
Good luck – it is a struggle, but it is one you must undertake. Keep watching the boards – they have been very helpful to me.