ADHD child and denied services!

I know I write a lot of recipes and such, but there is a big issue in my life and a fight on my hands that I would like to start blogging. My son, we will call him AJ, just turned 10. At 5 he was diagnosed ADHD/ Bipolar. He was very emotional- to the point of rages, serious rages. He has had a really tough time socializing and interacting with other kids, and to this day sometimes has to distance himself when he is overwhelmed. The other big problem he has, is that he is so impulsive that he has a tough time making the right choice. He knows what the right choice is, if you ask him he will give you the right answer; but a lot of times can't put it into real life.

There are times when he forgets to bring the homework home, the day before its due, and usually he has to be told over and over to stay on task. At 10, after allergy tests, natural remedies, and many therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and neurologists, we are on the right track, and have been for about a year. This child has been through so much and he is one tough kid! He is now on meds and we see a neuropsychologist twice a month. He even, last year, had a sleep study done, and was found to have sleep apnea and restless leg; resulting in removing his tonsils and adenoids. That was a big surgery, but he does sleep much more restful and wakes up less angry. Like I said this is one tough kid!

We have all worked really hard to ensure his success in life, but he is the one that has worked the hardest to get where he is, and works very hard every day!

So, with this background laid out a bit, onto the next...

He has been on a 504 plan for 2 years. This gives him accommodations in school such as more time to take tests and quiet places to do his work. Most of the time he doesn't use the accommodations, but they are there when he needs them.

This year I asked the school to fully evaluate him for IQ and behavior issues. They did the tests and called me in for a sit down meeting this week. His teacher, the principal, and ESE specialist, and a therapist were all in attendance. They went over the test results and told me that all of his results were average to above average. His teacher told me that he is a popular kid and he interacts very well and never has any social problems. His grades are high- he has no learning disabilities- he is very intelligent! I knew his grades are high and that is not the issue. The issue is the behavior and his coping skills. The principal even told me that he remembers many times when AJ has had problems and been sent to the office, but this year his behavior is fine.

These problems exist at home, at his friends house, at the camps, at sports; everywhere except at school?? REALLY??

Who do they think they are kidding? I love my child very much, I also know him very well. I know his strengths and his weaknesses. The school should know these also.

So, now I am at a crossroads. The school is set on their decision that even if he has the diagnosis ADHD, it is not interfering with his daily school activities. That leaves me with a few problems and questions.

Is the school lying?? Why would they do that??

Do I fight the school for what I know is right and have the worry of retaliation??

Is he holding it together well enough at school and then breaks down at home??

Shouldn't he be eligible for these things without having to fight the school?

Here's a good one- Should I take him off the meds to get the school to understand that just because RIGHT NOW he is doing well, does NOT mean that the problem does not exist??

Isn't that the point in all of this~~ to give him EVERYresource to succeed??

So these questions are being looked into and I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and higher-ups to chat with... lets see what happens! Shall we??