Adult ADHDParenting ADHD ChildrenADHD TreatmentADHD and Learning DisabilitiesAttention Deficit
PrintEmailDiscuss 2 COMMENTS!RSS

Reinforcing Your Child's IEP

Q:

"My son's IEP indicates that I will be notified whenever he misses an assignment. I was just contacted, nine weeks into the school year, and told that he's missed several. What can I do?"

ADDitude's learning and education expert, Karen Sunderhaft
A:

Speak with the teacher and remind her that you should be contacted each time your son misses an assignment. Ask that he be allowed to make up (or find and turn in) the assignments. If the problem continues, call for an IEP meeting and, respectfully but firmly, remind the teacher and IEP team that they've agreed to contact you when your son misses an assignment.

You might consider asking a parent advocate (find one at copaa.org) to attend the meeting. He or she will know which requests you can make of the school and what the school must do to comply with special education law.

Karen Sunderhaft has been a teacher for 16 years, and has focused on ADHD and learning disabilities since 1999. She completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Philosophy at Boston College and a special education degree with a concentration in learning disabilities at Northern Michigan University.

Over the years, Karen has taught at prominent private schools such as Laurel School and University School in Shaker Heights, Ohio and Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware. For four years, Karen Sunderhaft was one of only two teachers asked to be part of the national ADHD Experts on Call campaign.

Karen is currently working on an interactive program with an ADHD simulation to assist teachers, parents, and students. She coaches individual students and speaks frequently at ADHD and LD events. She can be reached at karen@sunderhaft.com.

2 Comments:

  • Posted by cathy - Sep 1 2009 @ 2:03 PM
    reinforcing the IEP
    I agree that assignments shouild be modified for a student with ADHD. This is not about "blaming" anyone. It is helpful for the teacher to keep parents informed of missing assignments before they become too overwhelming to make up or thier grade suffers. I am all for an advocate, but only after discussion with the teacher does not bring about any change. No one wants to be "mean" but an IEP is a legal document that should be followed and if a teacher is not doing that then they need to be reminded that it is not up to their opinion and they don't need to agree with it..they just need to do it! If I had this problem and a teacher would not listen then I would hope that they would not forget me..the one who needed to get a "professional" to remind them that they are professionals and should act like one!
  • Posted by Debbie - Aug 4 2009 @ 10:22 PM
    reinforcing the IEP
    1. A kid with ADD cannot be expected to turn in all assignments. Assignments should be modified. 2. By blaming the teacher, the child has no responsibilities. An assignment sheet should come home weekly and the parent can help the child. Bringing in an advocate just brings hostility to the problem. One gets more sugar with honey A soul-searching question to a teacher will likely get you more help than some "professional" paid by the parent to be mean. Trust me, we NEVER forget the parents who attempt to intimate. It is never really about the child Debbie
Join ADDitude or log in now to add your comments.
ADDitude DirectoryFind Professionals
Find Schools and Camps
Find Products
Free Newsletter
Free Gift with Sign Up
Adult ADHD
Managing your time, career & relationships
Success at School
Keep kids learning! Tips for parents and teachers
Parenting ADD/LD Kids
Strategies for behavior, nutrition, friends & more
 
Copyright © 1998 - 2007 New Hope Media LLC. All rights reserved. Your use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ADDitude does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this web site is provided for educational purposes only. See additional information.
New Hope Media, 39 W. 37th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10018