Recent studies have shown that bipolar kids often have learning disabilities in addition to suffering from bipolar disorder. If you bipolar kid has been referred to the committee on special education in your school district it will be important that you know all there is to know about the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process. Below is a list that will briefly describe the process to you. It is important that through this process you remain educated as to the next step. You are the best advocate your child will ever have!
- Referral: In this first step in the process. The referral can come from someone within the district or from a parent or guardian. If you as the parent this referral will have to be given to the school in writing. The school then has 10 days in which to respond to the referral for evaluation. At this point the school will ask for signed permission from the parent or guardian so that they may move forward with the evaluation process.
- Evaluation: By this point there is already one hurdle jumped and it is on to the next step. It is important that the person referring the child assures that the school will be testing the child in the areas of concern. While bipolar kids can show attention concerns it is also important to know that many times bipolar kids have other learning disabilities. Identify where you feel that your child’s evaluations should focus and communicate those concerns in writing. According to federal law IDEA 2004 the school has 60 days to complete this process. Some states may have laws requiring it be completed sooner. Idea 2004 also requires that children also be evaluated in all areas of concern. It is often recommended that a child with bipolar disorder be tested in all 8 areas. Recent studies have shown that many bipolar children also have sensory integration deficits. The 8 areas in which a bipolar kid should be tested includes: health/medical; vision; social and emotional status; hearing; academic performance; general intelligence; communicative status; and motor abilities. These 8 areas are often referred to as domains.
- Determining Eligibility: After laying out an evaluation plan the school professionals will conduct the steps of the plan. This will require many individuals within the school to work together. Your child will be pulled out of class in order to be properly tested and evaluated for an IEP. These tests need to be completed within 60 days although it differs state to state. IDEA 2004, the federal regulation, requires 60 days. If your state requires a different time period in which testing should be completed it has to be below the 60 day federal IDEA 2004 requirement.
- Meeting: Once testing has been completed you will be asked to attend a meeting. In this meeting you will hear the test results from each person who evaluated your bipolar kid. In this meeting they will communicate if your child was eligible for an IEP under any of the 13 classifications. If your child is not found to be eligible it may be recommended that your child’s needs be covered under a 504 plan. Section 504 is a section of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Before your meeting it is a good idea to learn more about a student 5 04 and what accommodations may be fitting for your kid with bipolar disorder. If your child is found not to be eligible for an IEP you have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). If your child is found eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) your child will be provided special education services. Some schools combine eligibility meetings with the IEP writing into one meeting.
- Writing the IEP: It is important to understand that according to IDEA 2004 parents must be informed of this meeting in writing. In this written communication the school must provide information on meeting time and location, the purpose of the meeting, and who will be attending the meeting. There will also be notification that the parent may be accompanied by any individual that may be able to assist the parent in the development of the IEP. This meeting will determine services that are to be provided. In some cases this may mean a change in class settings for your bipolar kid. You have the right to see this new class first. If at any point in this meeting you are feeling uncomfortable you have the right to table your meeting. A parent also does not have to sign the IEP. You are provided 10 days by IDEA 2004 in which to work out any disagreements or move for state mediation. After that 10 days the school is under no obligation to provide the accommodations listed in the IEP.
It is important to remember that the IEP process is protected and ruled by laws. The more familiar you are with these laws the better you will be able to advocate for your bipolar kids. It is also important to remember that there will be progress reports, re-evaluations and bumps along the road. It is important to enter each meeting with your emotions in check. Yelling will not be a benefit to your or your child.
For more extensive information as to your rights and each step click here.
Related articles
- How Can I Keep My Bipolar Son in School? (everydayhealth.com)
- Diagnosing And Treating Mood Disorders In Children And Adolescents (medicalnewstoday.com)
