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Bipolar Disorder/Bipolar son denied IEP ? 504 plan

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 3/9/2008


Question
My son who is bipolar recently got denied an IEP.  He will be six in July and entering Kindergarten in the Fall.  The school did testing and said that he is not delayed so he does not qualify for an IEP.  He gets SSI for his disability (Early Onset Bipolar Disorder) so is he eligable for atleast a 504 Plan?  He has accomodations at his preschool including a one on one aide.  I know that he will need accomodations at school also because he has severe behavioral and social problems.

Answer
Hi Janice:

Unfortunately, the system is set up so that a child entering school is not automatically eligible for an IEP--even though he/she had one in pre-school.  

This puts many kids at a disadvantage because they end up being set up for failure.  My advice would be to request a meeting, in writing, after the first two weeks of school.  This will give your son a chance to have show he needs it, yet not be long enough for damage to his self-esteem to occur.

                                Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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Joyce A. Anthony

Expertise

I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.

Experience

I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.

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