Attention Deficit Disorder

The School System: Know Your Rights

By Gwen Morrison

ADD/ADHD is a commonly misunderstood disorder. In order to help your child succeed in the school environment, it is important to know your rights and the rights of your child.

Children with ADD/ADHD are lazy or lack intelligence.

Most people with ADD/ADHD have high IQs and are very creative, according to research studies.

Knowledge is power. As a parent, it is important to be aware of your child's rights within the school system. You have a right to expect your child's school to be supportive, informed and receptive to all aspects of your child's needs.

It may be necessary to apply for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your special needs child. The IEP is a written document that is developed for each eligible student with a disability in accordance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Congress re-authorized IDEA in the spring of 1997. This legislation has been providing access to a free public education for children with disabilities for more than 20 years. It guarantees that all students through the age of 21 will receive free appropriate public education regardless of their disability.

Sandra Rief, MA, an educational consultant and author of several books on the topic of ADD/ADHD and school systems, including How to Reach & Teach ADD/ADHD Children and The ADD/ADHD Checklist, states that under IDEA, children with ADD/ADHD typically receive special education and related services under the Specific Learning Disabilities category.

Want to see more?

• Attention Deficit Disorder, Part One: How It Affects the Family
• Understanding Attention Deficit Disorder, by Dr. William Sears
• Focusing on Ritalin
• ADD: What's Wrong With My Child?
• ADHD: Is Ritalin the Only Way?
• ADD: What's the School's Responsibility?
• Talk about it!