Group for ADHD
Group for ADHD is a private
mental health clinic in Manhattan, founded by Lenore Ruben,
LMSW, CHT, EMDR, and Orly Calderon, Psy.D., a NYS licensed
psychologist.
The mission of Group For ADHD
is to create effective methods of coping with ADHD and LD by
focusing on the individual’s
strengths.
Question: We have an 11-year-old boy who has been taking
Ritalin for the past 3 years. This summer for the first time
we decided to take him off the medication while he was in
camp. Although there were some difficult moments, for the
most part he did well without the use of his medication.
Do you think it would be safe to allow him to begin school
un-medicated?
Answer: Congratulations! It must be very rewarding
to see that your child is succeeding without medication. Before
deciding whether to resume medications, it is important to
consider the support systems that are in place. It appears
that, regardless of whether your child has had medications
alone or medications in conjunction with other treatment or
services, he may have matured to a point where he could begin
to explore alternative interventions. For example, psycho-educational
therapy, tutoring, and/or social skills training may be helpful
in reinforcing the gains your child has demonstrated this summer.
These interventions can also work to increase his progress.
Remember that returning to medications is always an option
if it seems to be appropriate later.
Question: I have a high school daughter who receives Special
Education services for ADHD and has an IEP. In the past the
school has refused our request for second set of books. Our
daughter tends to forget her books either in school or at
home frequently and thus has difficulty completing her homework.
Do we have any legal recourse to force her school to comply
with our request?
Answer: Yes, IF the IEP (Individual Educational Plan)
stipulates this as an accommodation. In that case, the school
is obligated to fulfill the terms of the IEP. However, if it
is not so stipulated then the school is not compelled to provide
a double set of books. The law does state that your child is
entitled to a “free and appropriate education”.
It is possible to make the argument to the school that providing
a second set of books falls under the definition of an “appropriate
education”. If the school accepts this argument, then
the IEP can be changed to reflect this accommodation at the
next annual review. #
Questions to be answered in this column should be emailed
to: info@GroupForADHD.org
