Advice on transition back to school after phosp
My son is curtreated in the phosp for the first time as a result of suicide threats at school. His behavior had been deteriorating at school prior to that and I had planned to ask for an IEP review.
I will probably hire an advocate because I'm feeling pretty lost, but in the meantime I thought I'd get feedback from others. If I understand correctly, I should at this point request a review in writing and i think also request a functional behavior assessment?
I feel that hewill need more support such as a paraprofessional. We already have oneprivate psychologist who put in a report that suggestion, and his therapist is also willing to write a letter. Should I start the ball rolling to request this, or at what point is it best to state my concerns and requests for support? I did already bring it up in an informal meeting and was told that the schol didn't have any paraprosdfessional so I already know that I'm going to have to push.
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Chris Stanley- DS 10, ADHD ( ?) ODD, Bipolar NOS
currently taking Lithium, Risperidone, Trileptal (weaning off), Melatonin
At least here in NY, when dd was in the phosp her education was transferred to the state health department and so they were in charge of mods to her IEP. Maybe you can start there - at his phosp and see if they can push some of the changes through for you before ds is released.
If not, send a written request right away to the board of ed so that you can get the ball rolling.
Good luck I know how scary it is for you that ds is in the phosp. And I know how scary it is thinking that he will be out without much needed support.
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Karenj
Self: as sane as I can be everyday
A - DD (17yo) well adjusted, high functioning, motivated, successful, waiting patiently to go away to college
M - DD (13yo) Bipolar I (dx 4/2011) ADHD (dx 2nd grade), dumb high IQ, mainstream education with IEP/BIP, Seroquel XR 400mg - morning: Seroquel 50mg evening; Lamictal 150mg - morning
BF - Live in boyfriend of 5 years, supportive and learning more every day
EX - Ex-husband, divorced since 2002, family history of bipolar, unpredictable and sometimes explosive
Thanks Karen. I haven't been told anything about the DOH being involved but I will ask about it.
I'm actually much more concerned about what happens after he comes out than I am about him being in the hospital, because I know he's getting the help he needs now. At school, not so much!
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Chris Stanley- DS 11 ADHD ( ?) ODD, Bipolar NOS
currently taking Lithium, Risperidone, Trileptal (weaning off), Melatonin
Chris,
If school doesn't want to provide the help your son needs, and you have to fight like crazy about every single comma, I think that you should explore other roads.
It doesn't worth the effort to fight without results against a school who clearly doesn't want to help, and does everything not to help.
Your priority is your son's health and well being. If a private school or homeschooling helps more your son, then be it.
I just tell you because some parents put social skills before health and well being (my dad was like that, and now, he could see the disaster. In order to please his wife, wife who told that mom was pretending to take her responsibilities and that social services would have made a better job than "that", with the scorn to go with).
I just want to remind you to spare enough energy for your son, because these kind of battles are more often than not draining.
It doesn't mean you don't have to fight. But weight all the pros and cons.
I am fighting to make a law change in France. So I know first hand how such battles can be as draining as obsessing, leaving you with barely enough energy to make chores (a job is not even to think about : it is a full time job by itself).
So be cautious, and weight well all the pros and cons before fighting against school. Don't leave your health or your son's for school, school doesn't have to detriment your son's health, not even yours.
Do it if you are sure you won't leave your son's health and yours. Otherwise, explore other paths, because ending at hospital for a burn out is not the wisest solution for your son.
Take care
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25 yo, ADHD, sensory issues, Maths LD and prelingual Single Sided Deafness.
Preparing myself to go back to university to study Law (hope to become a lawyer).
Interests : languages (I speak French as mother tongue, Italian, English and Modern Greek), medicine, law, computer.