Resources for Learning

I think my child has ADHD, and it is taking over their life- what do I do next?

Step 1: Understand

While ADHD may not physically impair your child, you may notice that it is interfering with his/her ability to perform at his/her fullest potential in the classroom, at home, or in other social settings. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of any disability, and depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms, ADHD could be considered a disability. Any child with a disability is also entitled to “free appropriate public education” (FAPE).

Early intervention is best. If you or your child’s teacher are concerned about your child having ADHD, you can contact your child’s teacher. The teacher has likely observed similar behaviors, and can assist you in requesting an evaluation. If your child already has a diagnosis from his or her doctor of ADHD- great! This may make the process of obtaining proper accommodations from the school easier. The school will still need to evaluate your child if he or she needs additional support to prevent his symptoms from impeding success in the classroom. If your child hasn’t seen a doctor about his/her symptoms, yet that’s ok too. If you are able to take your child to a pediatrician during this time, he or she may be able to prescribe medications and perform formal screening tests for ADHD.

It is important to remember that there is no blanket treatment for ADHD, and that your child’s needs may differ from another child’s. Ultimately, the goal is to have your child appropriately evaluated, so that she can receive the most appropriate care.

Step 2: Evaluate

Your child’s teacher can be one of the most useful tools in contributing to your child’s evaluation. A team of professionals called the child study team including a guidance counselor, education specialist, teacher, and administrator meet and discuss your child’s needs. They will collect information such as documented behaviors, observations, homework assignments or tests, doctors’ notes, or results from any previous testing. This evaluation will be performed at no cost to you. After the evaluation, the team may decide that your child needs additional testing, for example.

The process can take up to 60 days, so in the meantime, continue to work with your child’s teacher on ways to help your child succeed in the classroom. The team will work to summarize your child’s behaviors and assess his/her needs.

Step 3: Accommodate

After the evaluation or additional testing, the team reconvenes to decide what kind of help your child may benefit from. They may decide that your child just needs special accommodations within the school and classroom. This could include things like certain assistance with organization, alterations in testing or homework styles, behavioral interventions, or additional time to complete tests. This would be highlighted in a 504 plan.

Another, more unique way of meeting your child’s needs may be obtaining an individualized education plan better known as an IEP. This plan is covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is a federal law for children with disabilities.

An IEP is a written, detailed document, created by a team including a school psychologist. Your child must meet one of the 13 specific categories of disabilities delineated by the IDEA. The IEP will describe how your child is currently doing in school, each special service that your child will receive, how long the services will be provided, how they will participate in standardized classes and testing, and how the school will reevaluate your child’s progress. The IEP will be reviewed once per year, to make sure that the services that your child is receiving are suitable for his/her needs. If your child does need an IEP, establishing one will ensure that your child is guaranteed the help that he/she needs, regardless of his classroom or teacher.

Click this link to review: The differences between a 504 plan and an IEP.

Click this link to review: The Civil Rights of Students with Hidden Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Wait, where do I begin again?

Resources in Richmond, Virginia:

For information regarding referral for evaluation:

School Aged Child: The best place to start is with your pediatrician and at your child’s local school. Your child’s teacher can help initiated this process.

Non-School Aged Child: Contact Dr. Massenburg- Johnson, Richmond City Public Schools Preschool Manager (804) 780-7710. Here is where your child would be evaluated for his/her needs of early childhood special education.

The Department of Exceptional Education and Student Services offers several programs and services to students with special education needs. All services and programs are fully designed to assist with the development and growth of each student.

Richmond Public Schools, Quick Links

If you don’t have insurance, or if you’re looking for development specialists in the Richmond area: VCU Developmental Pediatrics