Expert: Norm Bishop - 3/5/2006

Question
The school gave my 9 year old a core eval.It showed below average short term memory and proccessing speed.Also writing is an issue.The school said there was nothing they could do to help him.They requested I have him evaluated for add.He was just diagnosed with adhd. He does have a very hard time with attention.He is polite and not extremely hyper.He does not have any social problems or behaveral problems at school. That doctor wants me to start him on ritalin. I really would like to find a non medicated way to help him. I am afraid of them trying to deny him services if I don't medicate him.Can they do that?What kind of services can they offer.

Answer
There are a few things that are required of the school now that you have seen a physician and have a diagnosis of ADHD.  There are two federal laws that effect what they can or cannot do for you son.  The first one comes from 1973, a civil rights act.  Section 504, referred to as 504, states that schools cannot discriminate against any student with a disability.  Once you have informed the school that he has ADHD, then they are obligated to create a plan of accommodations that will insure that his education program does not discriminate against him because of his disability.  The law says they must make "reasonable accommodations."  The second law is the one (now revised 3 times) that requires public schools to provide special education if a student 1) has a disability, 2) the disability has an educational impact, and 3) the disability requires specially designed instruction.  The core eval you talk about may have been as a result of a special education referral, and prior to his having a diagnosis of ADHD they would look to see if he meets the disability definitions of the other 12 disabilities, which he did not.  

At school you can do two things.  First, call the Principal and tell him that your son is now diagnosed with a disability, ADHD, and that you would like a 504 Plan created.  A group of professionals including his teacher will meet with you and create this plan that will help him.  This plan will not include any direct instructional service, just accommodations (like giving him more time to complete big projects, reducing the number of problems he has to complete, helping him with organization of his assignments and due dates, etc., all, of course, being related to what his ADHD is like for him.  The second thing you can do is to make a referral for special education.  Whether you do it now or wait until you see what effect the 504 plan has, depends on a lot of factors.  If he is struggling in school now, especially with his reading, writing or math, then I would make a referral.  If he is getting along OK, then I would wait until you have a chance to see if the accommodations of a 504 plan are enough.  The major difference between 504 and Special Education is that special education provides direct instructional services, where he might be pulled out of class and given intensive reading instruction that will increase his reading skills.  

Medication is always a hard decision.  I know of students where the medication made all of the difference in the world, then I know of students where the medication made no difference.  Some doctors are very, very good at diagnosing ADHD, others do so in a five minute interview.  Some doctors are very good at the correct matching of medication, others prescribe the same kind and dosage for every student diagnosed.  These factors make a difference.  I would advise you to seek out a second opinion on the diagnosis.  See if you can find a Physician, Psychiatrist, or Psychologist with training and experience in ADHD within your community.  The specialist will have a better idea of how to proceed.

If you still aren't sure about medication, then the non-medication things that make a difference seem to be; 1) reduction or elimination of raw processed sugar from the diet (hard to do it is in everything, called sugar, fructose, dextrose, etc.); 2) reduction or elimination of preservatives from the diet; 3) reduction or elimination of dyes from the diet; 4) make certain that 8 to 10 hours of deep sleep are happening every night; and, 5) increasing the number of colored fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet.  I believe it is best to attempt one of these at a time, giving each at least 3 weeks to see if it makes any difference, then try another.

There are some good websites to gain more information.  They are www.ldonline.org; www.addresources.org; www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/default.htm; http://www.attentiondeficitdisorder.ws/alternativetreatments.html  

If you have further questions do not hesitate to ask again.

Norm