I need 504 plan help asap

[Djmorello]

Hello,
        my 6 year old daughter has Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD, ODD, anxiety and sleep disorders, and some sensory issues as well.  I'm supposed to sit down with her school this commiong Tues May 5th to discuss having a 504 plan implemented for her and I don't even know where to begin.  Her anxiety, ODD, sensory issues and sleep problems have been about 60% under control with medication and I'd say her Tics, OCD, and ADHD are about 30-40% under control depending on the day.  Her symptoms differ from day to day and worsen with any sudden changes to her daily routine or environment, as well as stress, and we've also noticed that when she gets sick her sypmtoms go haywire.  The only rescources that I have been able to contact are the NH dept. of education, the Tourette Syndrome Association, and The parent Information Center.  None have them have been too helpful as of yet.  I've been told that I should request for her to be evaluated by the school department for special needs.  I still have no clue on how to write up a 504 plan and have little knowledge as to what would best accomodate my childs needs.  I've already had a few run ins with my daughters school this year.  I called for 3 weeks straight requesting the guidance counseler to call me back when I noticed my daughters grades dropping and It took for me to write a nasty letter to the school principal to get a return phone call.  I don't want to go into this meeting blind.  If anyone out there has gone through this, can you please help me?

[Djmorello]

Thank you .  This information is very helpful.  Through speaking with other people have gone through similar experiences I've been advised that an IEP would better suite my childs needs and that since I have a letter from both her Neurologist and Psychiatrist explaining that her symptoms will effect her education, that I should have no problem getting one.  I've also been advised like you said to have her evaluated for special needs and that once I write a letter to the special ed dept. that by law they have 10 days to comply.  My only concern with 1 single evaluation is that my daughters symptoms vary so much day to day that I'm not sure they'd get an accurate picture of what her everyday needs are, but I suppose I'll voice that prior to the evaluation.  Again thank you so much for your help, and if you have any other suggestions that may help me through this I would appreciate those as well.
-Danielle

[Sandman2]

While I haven't gone through a 504 plan, I am familiar with them.  Hopefully some of the other members will also contribute to this.

Basically a 504 is to help your child in the school setting.  Go to this meeting with that in mind.  You want this to be a partnership between you and the school to help your daughter.  Go with a positive attitude.  This is not the time to make complaints (that can happen once you have a 504). The school will do the writing.  You can suggest ideas or disagree.  I am fairly sure anything you do not like will be taken out.  You do want to get their reasoning for their ideas as this will help you understand.

If you do have complaints, use those as ideas for you to make suggestions of changes. You want to think of the things they can do to help your child, so she has a better chance of success.  Things like having more time on tests, or even a modified test.  Since stressful situations are important to avoid - that should be mentioned.  If nothing else, it makes next year's teacher aware and she can plan ahead to reduce stressful situations. Changes to her daily routine is an important part to mention.

A 504 plan will not protect your child as well as being a part of the special education program will.  However, it is much easier to get started.  I hope this is  why the school is doing the 504 now.  If you haven't done so, you definitely want to request assessment for special education and get her into the program.  

If you have any other questions please ask.  Hopefully other forum members will add to my suggestions.