Recently diagnosed with Adhd

My daughter was recently diagnosed with Adhd, last Friday. My daughter was in a integrated class setting up until august and we had her main stream her in kindergarten. She attended a charter school(Private school paid with district funds) . My daughter life have been hell every since kindergarten started . My daughter started to have a lot of behavior problems.

For example, she was crawling on the floor and wandering in the hall ways of the school she was really struggling these last couple of weeks. My husband was call at least 15 times to come pick her up that's when I decided I made the wrong decision by putting her in this school. The teachers and staff was very unprofessional and my daughter was used to be nurture.

She has never miss school unless she was three. I immediately scheduled her for appoint with a developmental DR and that's when I discovered she had ADHD last Friday.

This explains why she has been having all of these behavior issues in her new school she did not have the support like she had in her integrated class setting when she would get distracted and become impulsive. I never got a call home that she was having behavior problems in her integrated class setting.

Because of her impulsivity behavior she was not able to sit still as well as when she know something she will not wait her turn. She is so darn smart reading, writing, spelling knows a lot of stuff for age and she gets bored fast as well. My daughter is a ex 29 weeker preemie.

Her iep was poorly written now that I look back at it. Yesterday I met with my school district and decided to remove her from the charter school due to her behavior problems not able to focus, not listening, throwing temper tantrums I decided to move her from that school and put her back in her district.

The problem that I have with the district they do not have small class sizes in there general ed and only have self contained classes a 15:1:1 not a integrated class setting . My daughter's IQ is 115 and she still have delays in speech she also needs OT and PT. She needs to be with her with her peers so she can model their behavior.

When I had my meeting they gave me some options for her that can put her in a self contained class setting with 15 1:1 with related services as well as counseling with a behavior invention plan for her distractibility. Before I make that decision for the smaller class setting I ask to see the class profiles of the children in that setting and visit the setting before I decide is that is a fit for my daughter. I want my daughter to be in the least restrictive environment.

The second option for my daughter is general with a class size of 35 kids and she will have related services such as her speech, pt and ot. In addition to her related services she will have a push in resource room and a 1:1 aide.

Her district that I am is not a great district. They have 35 kids in a class setting this is not good for anyone child. At the charter she was in a class setting of 28 and that was bit to much but she did not a behavior invention plan and did not have a 1:1 aid to help when she is distract and not focus.

This is a very hard decision for me to make I want my daughter be in general ed is the least restrictive class setting for her. However, I am afraid of the class size. The positive to that she will have a 1:1 to help down size the class size.

The other option 151:1 self contained I need to see the class profile if my daughter is highly functioning and now she in a class with kid with a lower IQ than hers this will effect her. She will not be in a class where she will model after her typical peers and will be more restrictive than least restrictive. They do not have a inclusion class setting in my school district. My husband and I are looking get out this district.

Has any one experience this? I need some help.

Recently diagnosed with Adhd

35 kid is A LOT! But, if they are offering a 1:1 aide, I would take it and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, then you can always switch to the self contained. Positive peer role models are essential at this age, but you also don't want her getting overwhelmed. Tough decision, but I would try the mainstream first.

My son was in self contained from pre-school up until he was in 3rd grade. Then he was put into a general ed setting with resource room (no aide though) due to the school lacking the class setting we needed. 4th and 5th it was an inclusion class with minimal classified children and pull outs for resource room. He did not really start reading until he was in 4th grade. Those positive role models without a doubt helped encourage him.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

thanks, that's what I am going leaning towards the mainstream class setting

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Selecting placement is always a tricky thing. My advice to you is to keep your daughter's learning style and needs in mind. "Least restrictive" is definitely something to consider but don't forget putting her in a large class where she may not be able to stay organized can end up being more restrictive to her development.

Definitely tour the school, and see the 15:1 in action.

My suggestion though is to probably seek some help from an advocate. I do not think your SD is in compliance ... Thirty five students in a kindergarten class is outrageous. I taught in the city , and my last year teaching was in kindergarten. I had 33 kids in my class, but the school was out of compliance. During the month of November, they finally opened a new class, so every teacher had to select a few students to 'move' to the new class. It was a disaster. It was very unfair for those kids to start in a new class in Nov.

In fact, you should inquire about at least a CTD class (collaborative teaching) or the more ideal situation of co-teaching (inclusion co teaching). I may not be correct, but if your school district doesn't "have" these programs, you may be able to have the district find them in a neighboring school district.

Remember 1:1 aides are not educators. If your daughter is in a class with a teacher who has to 'teach' 35 students, I am fairly certain the type of modification/understanding your daughter would benefit from will probably not occur. That teacher has too much on her/his plate already !

That 1:1 aide should be given even in the 15:1 class btw. Don't let the district only provide it depending on class size. If your child's safety is at risk...she needs it.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

thanks, I wish they had that model in her school district but they do not have it. the only concern I am worry about in the 15:1:1 is that class profiles which may be lower functioning children. My daughter is bright and she does benefit for her higher role models.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

It is correct that the 1:1 does not teach the child, however, IME which is from 6th grade to the present (9th grade), the aide helps tremendously with staying on task. My son's aide also helps him take his notes, etc. She doesn't just sit there all day. She is a very active part of his education.

Message edited 10/4/2013 12:23:59 PM.

Recently diagnosed with Adhd

First off they should never ever be calling you to pick your daughter up from school. When they do that they are technically suspending your daughter and unless they relay that to you they are breaking the law.

Secondly, you should really ask to observe the class. Just because it is a special ed class does not mean that all kids have low IQs. There is a variety of reasons that they may need to be taught in a smaller environment. Personally, my daughter is in a self contained and has an IQ well above 100 and is above her grade level in every subject. If the setting is best for your daughter, don't get hung up on that is a "special Ed" class.

There are multiple options that you could do. You can get a 1:1 aide in both class settings to help keep on task. You can have her placed in the 15:1:1 and have her push into a Gen Ed class for certain subjects (this is what I do with my DD). You can leave her in mainstream and pull her out for services.

They should also be putting a Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) in place to help with the redirecting and leaving the class.

Finding the correct placement is extremely hard and needs to be constantly tweaked. Good luck!!

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

I would ask to observe the 15:1:1 class before I made a decision. They are not going to tell you what issues the other kids in the class have, they can't by law. My DS is in a self contained class and when I was at the school last week, his teacher couldn't even tell me which kid in last year's class moved up to the next class.

My district does not have inclusion or collaborative classes. Also, inclusion means different things in different districts. And it is very unlikely that you would get an out of district placement without hiring a lawyer.

Based on what little I know about kids with ADHD, 35 kids in a class would probably be too much for them to handle, even with a 1:1. I would probably lean towards accepting the 15:1:1 and asking to have her push in to general ed classes when she is ready. Pushing in will give her the peer modelling you are looking for.

Kids in the 15:1:1 are not all going to have low IQs, some have the same issues she has with focus and attention. And from my experience with the self contained class, the work is individualized to a degree. If she is bright, they should give her work that will challenge her. My DS is pretty smart and I have had no problem with him being challenged enough by classwork or homework. They give him what he can handle and challenge him when he needs it.

Message edited 10/4/2013 3:00:16 PM.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

It all about the quality of education my daughter will receive from the district. My school district is in Hempstead district which is not a great school district. That is my concern they are so unprofessional in many ways. I have contact the principal to see both classes no call at all.

I am not saying that the kids in a self contained class are not smart and are not being challenge I just want sure it is a great fit for her. That's why they are giving me options. Seeing class profiles will let me know what kind of make up the class will be. They did not have the list of the class profile when I ask to see which is indicating that they do not know themselves. I am so darn stress out.

Recently diagnosed with Adhd

I really do not think they can so you the profiles of the children. It is against the law. Also even if you get the children's profiles, seeing something on paper is totally different than seeing it in real life. If the principal is not responding to you contact the director of special education services, if they do not call you back call the superintendent. If for some reason they are still not contacting you, contact the state and write a complaint. That will get them moving.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

I have contact the state that's why I was able to her CSE meeting yesterday after calling since my daughter was having issues in sept.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

they don't have to get me names of the students. That is against the law but can let me know what kind of students are in that class.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Message edited 10/4/2013 4:30:27 PM.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Thanks, for all the advice I have already started my process and they just can not ignore me. Yes Hempstead is very difficult writing the superintend does not help at all they don't response. I will deal with first thing Monday morning. I feel so exhausted.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

I would try the general Ed class with the one on one aid and see how it goes. Having the one on one aide I'm sure will inform you if she benefits from the class.

I personally know a family member who is having a problem with their son who is ADHD in this kind of exact setting (minus 10 kids) with a one on one aide because of his behavioral problems. The school wants him in a more restrictive class because of his outbursts and distractions and his IQ is almost 2 grade levels up.

I would see how she handles it and go from there. Good luck with the district

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Thanks

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd update 10/11/13

These last couple of days have been challenging for my daughter she has,been having alot, of temper tantrums in her new class. I am pulling her out of mainstream and go back to district and fight for intergrated class setting for her. My daughter is struggling and it is hurting my heart. She use to love school with all of these behavior problems i am in shocked. I believed my daughter may have a sensory issues and the class is to much she tells me she is scared. She goes under the table. My daughter attended a center based School since she has been 3 until august of this year she has never had a problem. She attended marcus ave School. What a difference i cry everyday . There is something wrong with this picture 2 years of joy until now one month of hell. I truly believe my district does not have the proper set up for her. I love her new teacher in her mainstream class very involve with her wanting to make she get the right placement. She god sent district has giving me a lot support but it not working. I honestly do not believe that she has adhd because we never had problems with her until now . Her Center based school was set up with all her needs. Sensory processing disorder is have similarities to adhd. She was a former 29 weeker preemie now that i look back it she is a pickey eater. She do not like play dough, the sand. She is always touching and smelling everything. When she was little she would put things in her mourh and always chew on her shirt. I am taking her to an occupational therapist specializes in spd ..

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Poor girl!!

Since your district doesn't offer an integrated, or inclusion class, I would ask to be sent to another district that offers that setting. If they say no, I would challenge them on it, and get an advocate!

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

I'm sorry you are going through this. The family I mentioned had a meeting. They said if they (the school disrtict) wasnt going to give their child what he specifically needed they were going to hire a lawyer. I'm not sure what's going on now but I've heard this is how far you need to go sometimes unfortunately. Stay strong!

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Thanks, she had a better day today.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

Message edited 10/17/2013 12:38:49 PM.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd

you are corrected I went to my daughter's CSE meeting this morning and I was able to get a class profile such as boys or girls that are in the classroom as well if they are below average and there classification. This is very important to have especially if I am thinking about putting my daughter in a self contained class it is my right. I have much sure the class will be a best fit for my daughter.

Re: Recently diagnosed with Adhd