How to Obtain a 504 Plan
Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2010
by Sharon Lane
http://www.alligatorbait.weebly.com
Many parents are frustrated when their child is not successful in school. Sometimes, one's child may have a hidden disability that interferes with the child's learning capabilities. A 504 Plan is the best way to insure that one's child is successful in school.
Materials Needed:
A medical letter
A meeting with the child study team
A letter from a medical professional is the most important tool a parent can obtain. It allows the parent to be in control of maintaining their child's education. However, the parent will need to document the signs of "why" one's child is not doing well in school. This can be a little painful, but it is a MUST! The parent becomes a hidden disability detective.
2. What are hidden disabilities?
Hidden disabilities are simply those deficits that keep a child from learning. A child is a poor reader, maybe the child has dyslexia. When a child can not complete classwork, maybe the child has weak, fine motor skills. If a child can not follow oral directions, maybe the child has an auditory problem.
Become a hidden detective and write down the reasons "why" one's child is struggling in school. Speak with one's child and ask questions.
3. Getting that medical letter
The better the documentation, the clearer the problem becomes. Take one's documentation along with report cards, etc., to a medical professional. I recommend a neurologist for weak motor skills and memory problems, a neuro-ophthalmogist for vision problems and an ear, nose and throat specialist for hearing deficits.
When a medical professional has diagnosed a disability, he or she is obligated to write a medical letter. In the medical letter, have the medical professional include suggested classroom accommodations. Then, arrange for a meeting with the child study team at one's school. Be sure to make a copy of the medical letter to keep in one's personal records.
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