I have an emergency IEP in the morning. I feel sick. I don't have the answers for them they want.?

Question

I have an emergency IEP in the morning. My 15 year old son was suspended from school last week for gross misconduct and insubordination. He has a temper and says and does things he shouldn't. I have had him to many doctors and he has been diagnosed as ADHD, bipolar and severe emotional disturbance. He takes his medications. I don't know what else to do for him. Also don't know what to tell the school to do with him. I am a registered nurse. I can't afford residental treatment. He is much better at home now than he was 2 years ago. I used to be afraid of him. He would throw things and break things. He no longer does this. He doesn't except no for an answer. He will argue. The more he argues the more angry he gets. How can I make him see he has to except authority and respect others to succeed in life???

Answer 1

I am confused as to why you are suppose to have the answers at this emergency IEP. It sounds like your child's behavior problems is likely related to his disability (emotional disturbance). It is the school district's responsibility to provide an appropriate educational placement. If they do not have a placement for him then it is their responsibility to find a non-public school or other facility that is capable of dealing with his behavior and educating him. If you are in the United States you are entitled to a functional analysis assessment and a behavior intervention plan because your son exhibits dangerous behavior that interferes with his learning. A great resource an advocacy and the rights of an special education student with behavior/ discipline problems see www.wrightslaw.com. Just remember it is the school district's job to educate or identify a means to educate your son. Don't allow them to place the full burden back on you for these problems. As it sounds you should participate and assist the special education team and share the burden, not carry it alone.

Answer 2

This is probably a hearing to send him to the district's alternative school. The IEP team will be trying to determine if the behavior is a manifestation of his disability, which it IS. The alternative school is for students without disabilities who choose to be disruptive to learning. This is not the case with your son.

The school is required to perform a Functional Behavior Assessment on your child regardless of whether they place him or not to see what the cause of the behavior is. This is a good idea because it will help to answer the questions that you have. Demand it!

As a previous answer suggested, your son needs to be in a special class before it is too late. The FBA (above) is the first step in the procedure. They must write a behavior intervention plan at the meeting. Make sure it is done because this is another step in the procedure to get your child into a special class. Ask about those procedures at the meeting!

You can't talk your child into doing anything. See if there is a behavior analyst in your area who can come in and assess your child at home. He or she can help you set up a plan to manage him at home.

Answer 3

You alone shouldn't be the one with all the answers! Your school should be a team and work together. That's why they are holding an IEP with many heads, it is easier to make a plan of action.
Has he been going to the IEPs? At 15 he really needs to hear the teachers and you express your concerns and he needs to have a "buy-in". Have they put him on a contract? Do they show him his progress on a chart or calendar? Do they have a system where he can earn time in whatever classes he really likes? Is there a behavior specialist coming to the meeting?
I sure hope you are not alone in this...is there anyone you could ask to come who knows both you and your son?
Good luck and remember, if the suggestions aren't working, call another meeting until they do!
Good luck

Answer 4

Yes I am the same as you - also 24 and not pregnant. I've always felt sick in the morning for the first few hours after waking up, I have done for as long as I remember, it gets particularly bad if I wake up early in the morning or if I have not had enough sleep. Often I find I cannot eat for a while after waking up, and when I do eat it normally has to be something containing meat as I can't seem to stomach anything else. It's hell trying to brush my teeth or trying to smoke in the morning as they both make me gag. I've known a few people have the same problem, I have also yet to find a reason for it even after asking all of my GP's, and I have had a lot of GP's to ask too. I've heard stress can be a factor, bad diet, or dehidration, no definate reason though I'm afraid. I'd recomend you try drinking ginger or peppermint tea in the morning, and some dried toast, or just start off by eating gingernuts with your morning cuppa - try to get your body used to eating something light in the morning, it may help to balance your body out and help with the sickness in the morning.

Answer 5

At this point I would push for an NPS (Non-Public School) Placement. The district should pay for it +transportation to it.

Tell them the ED is causing the misbehavior. That is what the IEP is for: to determine if the behavior is caused by the disability. If the psychologist says it is not, don't sign the IEP and appeal it. Send a letter to the State Dept. of Ed. stating that you believe your son's behavior is a manifestation of his disability, and you want NPS placement for him, based on his ED and your following all the doctors' medication advice for him.

Answer 6

It is clear your son needs to be in a structured, specialized classroom setting with experienced teachers and aides. You need to request an immediate eval of his current placement and IEP. He has a serious mental illness that will present challanges his entire life. Meds will not be enough. He needs to be in an educational setting that is equipped to handle all his needs and should be working regularly with a therapist as well. I would also suggest family therapy with a provider who specializes in working with families of children with severe emotional illness to help you cope and to give you a place to go for support and ideas. You are going to have to be very proactive..public school classrooms are not equipped to handle your son and it is in his best interest and the best interest of others for him to be moved. This does not mean he should be stuck into a room with no educational or behavioral expectations. Many areas have programs expressly for kids like your son. I would do some research on any private schools in the area that may specialize in education of kids with bipolar disorder. Provide the names and contact information to the school system if they are unable to provide him with an appropriate placement.

Answer 7

What methods of behavioral therapy is being provided?

The same methods of ABA, applied behavior analysis, aka behavior therapy, works in all ages of kids. It usually is used with kids with autism but it also works with bipolar kids too. While it is not used in every school district, it works when plan is created outside of the classroom but reinforced within the classroom. Your son's anger may be caused by a communication problem. My kids are younger but get furious when they feel they are not being understood.

Answer 8

tell the teachers you and them need to set up a plan to help your son to learn to respect rules and authority and you are at a loss for what t do. they even might know some programs that you can try to get this problem worked on

Answer 9

Why dont you talk to your son and ask him? He is 15 and knows that his behaviors serve a purpose. Ask him what it would take for him to stop arguing. And ask him for suggestions on how to help him and how to help him identify triggers, come up with a word or phrase that would stop him and make him think for himself.

Answer 10

Try to get him in a special day classroom. They are smaller class sizes are more focused on the kids. It will help him necause he will ahve mor one on one attention.