Accomodations and maybe other things to try1

[butrerflywings9]

My son is 12 in middle school at a public charter school in kcmo. He has ADHD and asd. Before this year he's not had homework. He's now in 6th grade and it's middle school. So a lot of teachers and Now homework. I'm confused why I just got the email today and some assignments are due tomorrow and the assignments really aren't described very well. And it's only 3 assignments. But Jude is in executive dysfunction and change freak out. Like he swears one of the assignments is 7 paragraphs. But from the email it seems simpler then that. I emailed the teacher to get a better description. I emailed his homeroom teacher and sped teacher and explained the issues and some ideas that they can do and I plan on doing to help him. Like writing a list on paper of the assignments and when I get a better description of them I'll write down steps. I am asking he get extra time to do assignments in his IEP and if I have to I'll argue and fight for 50% work. I'm figuring for an iPad to type things out because he's complained for weeks he's having trouble because of his difficulty writing. He had 4 years of it but his hand writing isn't the greatest. This school is super academic and Jude learns a lot. But it is a whole lot. I believe in Jude and I believe in his team of teachers and I'll work hard with him. Does anyone have any suggestions to help?

[Carolyn Rowlett]

It sounds like he has a good team, so I would suggest asking for an IEP meeting.  Regardless of issues, it's always a good idea to have a meeting during "transition" times, such as transitioning to middle school.  All the things you suggest are very good, but I would ask the team to put them in writing under accommodations on the IEP document.  Afterwards, touch base with ALL of his teachers (or at least the ones that did not attend the meeting) and make sure they have seen and understand all the accommodations, ask if they have any questions, etc.  Be nice, but get it on their radar that he struggles and needs these accommodations.

As for accommodations, go to Lisa's website and look at her recommended accommodations for both ADHD and ASD.  Specifically, I would ask for the following:

1)  Student will spend no more than 1 and 1/2 times on homework than his peers.

2)  Shorten assignments once mastery is shown.  (For instance, if he understand the math concept being taught, only have him do the even problems for his homework.)

3)  Extra time for assignments - 2-3 days in a common accommodation.  (I would also ask for this on tests/assessments - both classroom and standardized.)

4)  Chunking of assignments and instructions.

5) Frequent check-in's for understanding and being on task.

6)  Device for typing for written assignments and assessments.

7)  Speech-to-text for written assignments and assessment.

8)Oral assessments in place of written assessments.

I happen to be in KCMO and give one free hour of consultation, if you're interested.