Alternative Methods of Successful Education

By Tambrey Tuesday, January 15, 2008

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As many with bipolar know, school is NOT easy for these kids...or if you are now an adult, you probably struggled with getting there on time, paying attention, getting things done on time, and so forth....

There are soo many alternative educational methods now, and the internet has opened a whole new world of teaching!!

My son struggled in a traditional school...not only with his bipolar, but also (undiagnosed until 11th grade) Learning Disabilities (LDs) such as Dyslexia and Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)...on the flip-side, he has a "Superior" IQ, therefore, the teachers and admin could just not believe that he could have LDs as well...so he was not even tested for LDs until his 11th grade year (even though I fought since 5th grade to test him for LDs), and then they still could not figure out how to teach a 16 year old in 11th grade with a 2nd grade reading comprehension level, bipolar multiple mood swings a day and trying to find a combination of meds that worked for him....

He got near to the point of expulsion, but that "hearing" was turned into what the school refers to as a Manifestation Determination Hearing...meaning they wanted to determine if maybe his behaviors in school were a result, or manifestatation, of his (recently diagnosed) LDs...it was determined that it was, he was allowed back into school, but with so many stipulations and restrictions and limitations that his learning was still inhibited, and he got to the point where he physically could not walk through the doors...

The principal tried to play PDoc and after 2 hours (even through lunch) of hounding my son in his office, he called me at work to ask if my son could go downtown to find something for lunch (it was 1:30 by this time)...I asked why he did not eat lunch at school and the principal told me all about this "Session" he had with my son...I said that my son got money on his lunch ticket to eat there, and had no money on him, to send him to my work and I would give him one of my sandwiches...

My son walked through the door, I took one look at him and asked what happened...and my 6'2" 300 pound (due to meds) son, sat in the middle of the public library floor and bawled his eyes out...he said the principal kept asking him, "Why do you act like this? How do you feel when you act that way? What do you think you can do the next time to stop from acting that way?" My son yelled out, "DO YOU THINK IF I KNEW WHAT TO DO, I WOULD KEEP ACTING LIKE I DO?!"

I called the school, reamed the principal, told him that up to that point, a REAL PDOC could not get through to my son, so what made him think HE could?!...and told him my son would not be back to school...

I did not send him to school any more and we hired an attorney...

After still almost a year of battling and getting to the point of going to court...we settled...and the school purchased an online program called OdysseyWare

This program has been such a blessing to our son...it includes all of the core curriculum plus some electives and even foreign languages...and it is all online!!

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Comments (16) | Add comment

G.J. Gregory

1/16/08 12:11am

What a great post. If you don't advocate for your kids, nobody else will.

My bipolar son didn't fit the mold for a standard high school, and after countless hours of work on my wife's part (and a single, helpful, angel of a guidance counselor) they found a slot for him at an "alternative" high school for his senior year. My wife had to help him through, it was more like dragging him, kicking and screaming, uphill. But he finally got through it. He's a scary-smart kid, but I still consider the graduation one of his most impressive feats.

But your point needs to be read, and understood, by all. If your child doesn't fit the school's mold, you may find yourself in a battle to get your child an education.

Thanks again Tambrey for posting this.

Tambrey

1/16/08 4:50pm

Thank you for commenting....I know that you and your family have struggled....still are....with your son....I look to your posts to try to figure out what the future might hold for my own son...and to know that your son did graduate, even with the battles, IS a MAJOR accomplishment and one that he should be proud of...and for Mom and Dad for helping him get there...

MomOf3

1/11/10 4:20pm

You are so right. Our SD does not want to put our son in an alternative. And, that's why I am trying to fight for.

Hopeful mom

1/16/08 6:40am

This is really good information. Mine has been able to pass so far if only barely. Fact is, like you said, sometimes they don't feel like doing work or attending classes. My son admits to sleeping in class at times. It's frustrating for his teachers and for me but what can we really do about it. I make sure he gets plenty of sleep and plenty of vitamins and such but his meds make him sleepy at times.

He has an angel of an IEP file teacher. She doesn't teach him any subjects but she's so good about checking on him and rearranging his classes if needed. He's had her for 2 years now and I just love her.

I spend more time then I'd like helping him with geometry and history and biology. His teachers are also good about meeting with him before or after school. I would like to see him graduate from a "regular" high school but if we have to look at alternatives we will.

Tambrey

1/16/08 4:52pm

You are very fortunate to have a teacher who is understanding and works so well with him...they are few and far between any more...I am sure you let her know how much you appreciate all she does and how big of a part she is playing in the success of your son....

But hey.....things can change....she can get transferred or move or any number of things...so just keep an open mind to those alternatives and make the school do their part in educating your son....FAPE also has APPROPRIATE in it...which is different for each student..

Best of luck!!

Hopeful mom

1/16/08 6:16pm

She's having a baby. I'm freaking out about that. His Strattera is starting to work though so maybe he'll be able to maintain. His Geometry teacher is also a really good guy who's willing to work with him before and after school and provides plenty of notes and study guides.

I am fortunate in that I work for the district and I am a special education teacher so I can enforce the modifications as need be.

Tambrey

1/16/08 6:52pm

AHAAAA.....so you know all about FAPE and IDEA and 504s and IEPs....good to know!

So many parents have NO idea what their rights are...what their children's rights are and just let the schools walk all over them...

Hopeful mom

1/16/08 7:41pm

I really do feel at an advantage because I know the law and they know I know the law. I've never had any trouble getting teachers to do the right thing because of it.

Fortunately, my son's not had any real behavior issues at school. We've not had to face the manifestation determination process. I'm very thankful for that.

Our only real problem with him is lack of motivation and lack of organization. He loses stuff or forgets stuff all the time. I think he cares more than he lets on but he's got it in his head that he really can't do any better. When you have that mindset, you really can't live up to your potential.

Tambrey

1/16/08 11:04pm

My son tends to think the same way too, and his dad (my former husband) is no help...grrrrr...so I try doubly hard to try to help my son see all the good things that he can and does do...

I was actually GLAD when they offered the Manifestation Determination Hearing in place of the expulsion one....that was one step towards "admitting" that they may have goofed up way back when and were wanting to take a first step to get things right....

of course, we had by then received the 70 page report from the Educational Therapist and the 6 page report from the Neuropsych, which helped immensley...

morninggrl

1/22/08 1:02am

This is so much good information...I'm struggling so much with my son's middle school. Their ideas of accomodation seem to be a little off, and their lack of follow-through is holding him back. Changes need to be made. But can you tell me what 'manifestation determination' is?

Tambrey

1/22/08 12:28pm

A manifestation determination hearing us usually held when the student is showing severe behavioral challenges and is at risk of being in (very) long term suspension or even expelled from school....

The school basically (finally, maybe) figures out that the student does have some sort of learning disability or emotional (mental) disability and it just might be possible that all of the frustrations of trying to deal with school and not getting proper help has led to the undesirable behaviors...

It is usually a last step along the way of trying to work with the school and get a workable 504 or IEP

Here are some links to explain how it works

http://www.behavioradvisor.com/ManifestDetermination.html

http://www.specialeducationlawyers.info/iep_manifestation.htm

Does your son have a 504 or IEP? IF not, getting that set up is a first step in forcing the school's hand to taking action...these are written out accommodations/modifications to his individual workload at school, and the school MUST comply or they are breaking a legally agreed upon contract...

If you want to know more about how to help your son in school,

http://schwablearning.org has LOTS of help....and within there is a place called Connecting With Others and then Parent to Parent...these are the forums...

The site is in transition with GreatSchools at this time, but you can still access all information and ask questions

Good luck and know that you are not alone in trying to help your son receive a successful education!

Stardust

1/17/08 12:35am

Great posting Tam! This will help so many young bp's and their parents out there.

Tambrey

1/17/08 9:19am

thank you stardust...in any way that I can, I want to "pay it forward" to someone else...all that I have about education laws, I found through wonderful BTDT (and still are there) parents of kids neuro-atypical kids...kids with LDs....without those parents, I would have never been able to help my son get this far, or keep my own sanity!!

the site, soon to be merged with another, is

http://schwablearning.org and the forums are connecting with others and then parent to parent...

it is merging with http://greatschools.org so we are not sure how it will all be in the end...

Cari

2/28/08 7:29pm

My son is having issues at school too, but he's only 7. However, the school has been awsome about trying to figure out what works for him. Sadly, as his behavoir deteriorates, they are finding it more and more difficult to deal with him. They are talking about putting him into true special ed classes, mainly for social and behavoiral issues, as he is also very smart and is only mildly behind (again, mainly because of behavoiral issues) in his schoolwork. I need to read more about disciplining children with these issues appropriately, but the program they are talking about seems very harsh. Right now, I dont know if it'd be better for him or not-again, I REALLY need to read a LOT. Anyway, if it doesnt seem bad for him based on my reading, I figured I'd try it out-but I also dont want to set him up to hate school either. I almost put him into an online program this year but he loves school at this point. Ugh. I'm sure we'll find something that works for everyone-thanks for the post!!

eileen123

10/21/09 3:02am

nice blog..

Eileen..

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mls search

MomOf3

1/11/10 4:18pm

My son was dx with bipolar. He was also dx wtih CAPD and Aspergers a few years ago. In Oct 2009 we had him re-eval for IEP eligibility, and specifically to try and tease out exactly what his conditions may be and may not be. Audiological test indicated mild issues with ambient background noise, but nothing more (albeit he was dx with CAPD in 2006). Psychologist stated he does have both bipolar and ASD. Psychiatrist only "observed" (not tested for) Bipolar; he did not see ASD at all. Still waiting for the neurolgoist to chime in.

But, I say all of this to say, the education system does not seem to know how to work with BP or ASD kids. I had recommended he be placed in a school that does specialize in helping such children...especially with those who have "superior IQ" such as my son. The school believes they can help him and an alternate school is not necessary. But, an inclusive class, away from general education, is. Go figure.

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