Had to reply as this is something new this year for me, too. My son is 11 and was diagnosed w/ ADHD a few years ago. We have had an IEP meeting since he was in 1st or 2nd grade. He is in 5th grade now and behavior has been the major issue this year. An IEP meeting is meeting between parents, principals, teachers, school counselor, etc. all of those who have a connection with your son and his learning. You'll probably have a district administrator in there also. And you discuss your son's test skills, any learning disabilities he has or may have will be discussed and they will determine if your son needs any special help. My son is in special education classes to assist him in his learning diability. At first I was alarmed, but this is actually ideal for my son. He gets the extra assistance needed. He just learns at a different pace as others and can't remain in a classroom with kids who learn at a faster pace than he does. I live in a rural area too and the bus has been my son's issue for a long time. That's just not where it all lies though. I wish you luck and will be praying for you and your family. I understand your struggle.

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Sorry to hear about dilemma. I'm even more sorry to hear your job won't work with you. Who is there to meet your son when he gets home from school? Perhaps your son can ride the bus to school, since it is a shorter ride, and you can pick him up from school to avoid the long ride.

As far as IEPs go, you came to the right place for information--though I'm not sure how accommodations apply to bus rides, looking into accommodations certainly can't hurt:

IEP Accommodations that Really Work

8 Steps to Getting School Accommodations

A Parent's Guide to ADHD Accommodations

I hope these help. Good luck. Dena

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First off, try to see the bus driver's point of view. You know that even when you are driving, you cannot safely operate a car with your one child inside if he is severely disruptive. Imagine how the bus driver feels with 4o+ children in her care and on rural roads too. The bus is one area where everyone MUST conform. I too am a single mother and exactly one year ago today, my 5 year old son was put off the school bus for the rest of the year for disruptive behavior. I accepted this and picked my son up after school daily for the rest of October 2008 and the months of November 2008 and December. 2008 I explained to my son, that the bus is serious and a priviledge to ride. I worked with his doctor to adjust his meds and at Christmas break, I talked to the director of transportation and presented him with a letter from my son's physician that stated that he had a problem. I expressed that my child had learned his lesson and deserved another chance on the bus. He was allowed to ride again and did fine for the rest of the year. My child was helped by being given an assigned seat and assigned seatmate so the bus became a routine. When he resumed riding the bus, I had him do so gradually, 1 day a week, then 2 days a week then 3 days a week, etc. I would suggest that you ask for an adult bus monitor specifically for your child. Maybe your child could ride a special needs bus for a while. Ask your child why he acts out on the bus. Is it too loud? is the ride to long?, is he afraid? the bus is probably higher thatn any other vehicle he has ever been on. Maybe he needs a snack before he gets on the bus. Maybe he could benefit from a small pocket radio set to a soothing jazz station to listen to while he rides or even a video game that he could play. The bus driver could hold on to these items and return them to you on Fridays. Also let him be last to get on the bus to decrease the time he has to be on there. You would be surprised at what 5 extra minutes of fresh air will do for a child. This is an issue that can be conquered, but you must be patient and express to your child that safety on the bus is a must.

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