What do you do when you have a bi polar child who is very smart but the school is singling him out as trouble?

Question

He has gotten in some trouble for his behavior but not it seems like the school is going after him. He is seeing 2 Dr's and that is going well. He has always gotten great grades. I'm just tired of the school looking to make an example out of him.

Answer 1

Even with treatment, symptoms of bipolar disorder can be difficult to manage and can make school challenging. Regular and honest communication with your child and his or her teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, and school administrators can be the most important factor in helping your child succeed.

Education professionals are experts at helping students with special needs, but in order to do so, they must be kept up to date and informed about what they can do to help. By law, school districts are required to make sure students with conditions like bipolar disorder are given accommodations to help them succeed.

You should work with your child and his or her teachers and guidance counselors to develop an individualized education program (IEP) that takes into account your child's specific needs. A detailed IEP lets each teacher and staff member who works with your child know exactly what he or she can do to help your child. The IEP requires regular reviews and meetings to make adjustments and keep up with any changing needs.

A few accommodations that the school may make to help your child include:

Reducing homework or extending deadlines for assignments or tests.
Allowing a late start to school if the child is having problems with fatigue or is not sleeping at night.
Designating a knowledgeable staff member the child can go to if needed during the school day.
Providing special attention or assistance during class if the child needs help sitting still or focusing.
Providing a small class size, which may help improve your child's ability to focus during manic episodes. Bipolar disorder does not affect the child's intelligence, so the child should not necessarily be placed in a special education class with children who have learning challenges.
Having daily or weekly communication between parents and teachers (through phone, notes, or e-mail) regarding the child's behavior and progress both at home and at school.
Attending summer school, to help keep your child at the appropriate grade level if he or she misses too much school during the regular school year.
Providing tutoring during extended absences.
Using a keyboard or recording a class lecture if the child is having difficulty focusing when taking notes.
Placing the child in enrichment programs, such as art, music, or other areas where the child shows strength, to help reduce boredom.
Allowing unlimited access to the water fountain and bathroom, especially during manic episodes when keeping his or her body still can be challenging.
During a severe depressive or manic episode, you may need to request a "time-out" from heavy academic requirements for your child to help reduce stress and to keep the child from falling too far behind. Your child may not need a reduction in schoolwork for most mood episodes; however, if the symptoms are severe, this reduction may help keep the child on track at school. You may also want to consider getting extra help (such as a tutor) when needed to assist your child in keeping up with schoolwork.

If your child's symptoms are severe, placement in a day hospital or residential treatment center that treats children with bipolar disorder may be helpful in meeting your child's needs during an extended illness. However, these treatment centers are not always available. It can also be helpful if a designated teacher at your child's school is specially trained in dealing with children who have bipolar disorder. This person can be a good resource and a "safe person" for your child to go to for help during the school day, if needed.

If your school is not understanding or does not support your child's special needs for periodically reduced academic performance, you may be able to work with your child's doctor to get those needs met in the school system. Supporting your child, while not letting the child use bipolar disorder as an excuse to miss assignments, can help him or her develop and succeed academically and socially.

Answer 2

HELLO..........I 'm sorry to hear of your troubles, what a coincidence too. There was an article in *Time, I think, about that very thing, other parents were complaining about how public schools were treating her son, almost similar, right down to the disorder. The school "did everything that it could" the mother was told, she had the means so she took the child out of there and sent him to a private school. She didn't want to do that, the mother felt that it short changed the child. Public schools have both, their good points as well as not so good, in public schools,she felt, the child has the opportunity to interact with many diverse backgrounds, a social skill the child needs but cannot get in a private setting. If I were going to recommend something, it would be to go higher than the immediate school leadership.With the article in *Time,public school boards are under the gun to make sure a bi-polar student is "cut some slack" so to speak. teachers are told " like it or not" to make allowances. Maybe that's the route you need to go."BEST OF LUCK " to you....................LATER

Answer 3

Bi-Polar disorder is very difficult to treat. It it probabaly even tougher for a child due to the fact that not only does he have the disorder, but he has the normal child hood and teenage stuff to deal with. I have Bi-Polar and I had a rough time in school. My mother never made any excuse for me and my behavior. She had me see a therapist and a shrink for meds. I was not given any special treatment. Regardless of mental disease or disorders, a child or person still needs to be held accountable for their behavior. I say that because WE people with the disorder do not realize how our behavior affects those around us and a child still needs to learn the difference between right and wrong. What is acceptable and what is not. Sometimes people with mental illness play on it. They use it as an excuse for their behavior. I am not saying this to be cold or mean because I am bi-polar. Maybe until he gets the right meds and more effective treatment, he should be home schooled. A teachers job is to teach the child the three R's. They expect a student to behave appropriately in the class room and on school grounds. Showing special treatment to your child may harm him more than help him. Talk to his doctors and get their opinion. Sorry if this seems harsh. I just know that my mom made no excuses for me and expected me to behave just like my siblings were expected to and I appreciate it.

Answer 4

You need to be fair about it all. I'm sure your child is not an angel as all mothers would love to think their children are. But maybe this is the case you are stating and they just have a problem with you and your child and want to make your life miserable! In any event, might I suggest home schooling. If this kid is the epitome of a well behaved child then it should be of no sort the problem to keep him at home with you and school him. I'm sure that would make everyone happy all the way around not wanting to sound nasty at all. If they do have a problem with you then you would be better off keeping the child at home where he can get the very best education and move at his own pace adapted to his learning needs.

Answer 5

I was singled out as well and put into special ed. I was smart and I got bored very quick with the easier classes meant for kids with learning disabilities. Take your case to the principal and if no luck, the school board. If you still are having problems and have the option, move him to another school. Keep all of his "trouble making" reports and a list of kids who saw what was really happening on hand. You will need this to back up your case with the "higher up's".
For my so called school graduated me a semester late, and hindered my higher learning process. (That is from sleeping and cutting boring classes) Keep his mind challenged.
I hope you GIVE THEM HELL!!!!!!!

Answer 6

marcella is totally correct. i was going to also urge you to have an IEP written. sometimes schools refuse to believe that a child has a documented disability. however, be prepared for resistance from the school. if this happens, you need to contact your state's coalition for children with medical handicaps. this was the case with my son. he has a traumatic brain injury and was labeled as a trouble maker last school year because his grades fell. he also had behavior issues due to the injury. ultimately, the school was very slow with the process and threatened to hold him back last january. that was when i pulled him out of the school and enrolled him in cyber school. i am happy to say, he is doing wonderful there and they ended up writing the IEP. this might be an option for you and your son. i wish you and your son the best of luck!!

Answer 7

Have you gotten him officially classified as a special education student? If you do this, then you will get an IEP (individual education plan) that accommodates his mental illness. You will get to have a special meeting every year with his teacher(s), his special ed teacher (who should be trained in educating students with this illness), an administrator, and any professionals you wish to invite (such as his psychiatrist or therapist, or another expert you wish to include). With this, there are restrictions on the types of discipline the teachers can use to correct and control your child, if his misbehavior is related to his illness/disability. The IEP can be a very powerful tool in getting your child through the school system.

Answer 8

Get your child out of that school. Talk with your pediatrician. Talk with the school counselor and make them aware of what is happening. If they still will not help, transfer him into a school that will support him and give him the help he needs. I'm glad to hear that he is under the care of physicians. Also, I believe there are websites you can get information on how to deal with such issues. See if the site below can help you. Hang in there!

Answer 9

Discuss the "school's" behavior with the principal.

Also have your child tested for high insulin production. If that is the cause of the bipolar condition (as high insulin can cause other chemicals to imbalance that then can imbalance brain chemicals), then a strict diet will assist in the control of the condition.

Answer 10

I dont know if this is an option for you but my sister has been homeschooling my nephew since day one. My nephew has Aspergers syndrome which is a higher functioning autistic. I would try a private school as well.