Can you help with IEP or 504 plans?

At KEGE Center for ADHD, we understand the importance of IEP and 504 plans in helping students with ADHD succeed in school. If you believe your child may benefit from accommodations in the classroom, we can help.

After completing a psychiatric evaluation with us, we can provide a diagnosis letter that outlines your child's ADHD and recommends specific accommodations to support their success. We can also provide a parent/guardian request for an evaluation letter to accompany the diagnosis letter, which can help ensure that your child receives the accommodations they need.

It is important to remember that school requests must be made in writing and all correspondence with the school faculty should also be in writing. We help you with creating the initial request letter, which can be submitted to the school principal or their administrative assistant. The school is then required to arrange a meeting with the parents, school psychologist, and teachers within 30-days to start the process.

During the initial meeting with the school, you may suggest some accommodations for your child based on their individual needs. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching children with ADHD, there are several strategies that can be effective in supporting their learning. Some general guidelines are:

• Create a consistent, organized, and predictable routine for the child to reduce distractions and provide a sense of stability.
  
• Clearly communicate expectations, rules, and consequences. Break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and provide explicit instructions.
• Engage multiple senses by incorporating visuals, auditory cues, and kinesthetic activities to maintain attention and improve retention.
  
• Encourage hands-on, experiential learning activities that allow the child to be actively involved in the learning process.
• Allow short breaks to help the child recharge and refocus.
  
• Praise and reward the child's efforts and achievements to foster motivation and self-esteem.
• Provide appropriate accommodation, such as extended time on tests, preferential seating, or the use of assistive technology, to support the child's learning needs.
  
• Tailor instruction to the child's unique strengths and interests to foster engagement and motivation.
• Collaborate with the child, their family, and other professionals (e.g., school counselor, psychologist) to develop a comprehensive support plan.
  
• Provide opportunities for the child to develop social skills and emotional regulation strategies, as these can be important for academic success.

Below are some useful links from the Arizona Technical Assistance System (AZ-TAS) to aid you in navigating the special education process. These links will help you understand the process further. Additudemag.com is a trusted source with extensive details about what you may request. The link to the Arizona State Board of Education will help you understand your rights as a parent in our state.

Main site: https://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/az-tas-documents

Evaluation process: https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2021/02/AZ%20TAS%20eval%202021%20final.pdf

“Your Legal Rights at School” [podcast episode #117]: https://www.additudemag.com/your-legal-rights-at-school-117/

General information from ADDitudeMag.com