[Just a girl..]

My teacher said that once I get a diagnoses then the school can explore a 504 for me? She says it's something like for example "if a kid is in a wheelchair, then they would be excused from gym class" and stuff like that.

..Does anyone know what they change for Bipolar Disorder/Depression?

[ElisaB]

Just on quick search online:
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/504s/f/504faq1.htm

It has a link to states, don't know where you are, hope this helps.

As a side note, I'm not sure if you want them to make that separation... I don't know your specific situation but definetely see what it does before you are "labeled" something that cannot be reversed. Good luck!

Probably wouldn't be anything terribly drastic. I would depend on what problems your bp is causing you in school. For instance, if you sometimes feel volatile or anxious and the ability to quietly take a time out of the classroom for a few minutes might help, the 504 accommodation would simply say something like "student may ask for time out if she is feeling anxious." There would probably be some conditions about where you could go, who you could see for help, how much class time you could miss, etc. I've honestly never had a 504 student for mental health issues. Usually I see 504 for dyslexia, adhd, and some physical handicaps that just require basic, common sense accommodations in the classroom like hearing aids, special furniture, etc. 504 accommodations generally aren't nearly as extensive as special education accommodations.

[Just a girl..]

I forgot to mention that I am cyber schooled. Everything I do for school is on the computer at my house.

i don't believe we even have this in the UK.

if we do, i've not heard of it..

Originally Posted by Just a girl..

I forgot to mention that I am cyber schooled. Everything I do for school is on the computer at my house.

Is this cyber school through a public school district? That would be the only way 504 would apply; it is a federal program for public school students with special needs.

What would they do beyond what they are already doing to accommodate your needs? Cyber schooling is already a pretty extensive accommodation. Are your courses time limited? If so, do you foresee needing time extensions (within reason) due to your bp? That might be one type of accommodation perhaps.

[Victoria'smom]

Extensions on work, spacing work differently, five year plan (taking less classes each year until you graduate), quiet room, working at your own pace and/or other accommodation.

[faerie_moon_x]

I should also warn you to be careful because even tho bipolar is a disability, many places don't accomidate for it even after the diagnosis. I have this issue at work. I disclosed hoping that it would help me, instead it made things worse.

[Just a girl..]

I go to Agora cyber/charter school. They have a public or private school option, but it's still all online. I go to the online public school, but my family couch already told me that they were going to explore a 504 plan after I get diagnosed.
&&& how did it make things worse for you at work?

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Just a girl..

I go to Agora cyber/charter school. They have a public or private school option, but it's still all online. I go to the online public school, but my family couch already told me that they were going to explore a 504 plan after I get diagnosed.
&&& how did it make things worse for you at work?

Ah, because of stigma. I ask for accomidations but instead I got less accomidated. After that is when I started getting written up all the time, threats of being fired. I try to explain when I'm having trouble, and they tell me to just "leave it at the door."

Also, I was told I cannot be promoted or moved to a new spot which might be easier to me.

And, I think it put a certain high up person against me, made them gunning for me to get me out of here. I got 0 sympathy, 0 empathy, 0 compassion.

[Confusedinomicon]

Are you apart of a union dh?

[Just a girl..]

I'm so sorry to hear that :/
What's union dh?

[Confusedinomicon]

Dh is darkheart. Union is something work related. They are supposed to protect workers rights.

[~Christina]

Just a thought.. I'm sorry I cant remember your exact age.

Many Pdocs arent in a huge hurry to diagnose teenagers with Bipolar and rightfully so. Sometimes a diagnosis can lead to issues with health insurance coverage in the future. That doesn't mean you wont be given medications if they feel its necessary and/or set up with a Therapist.

Hope things get better for you soon

[Just a girl..]

What would they call it if not bipolar disorder at my age? ( 16 )

[Victoria'smom]

Mood disorder NOS a lot of times.

[~Christina]

Yes !!!What Miguelsmom said! It is not common for a Pdoc to hand out a diagnosis of Bipolar the first visit. Many doctors monitor a patient for weeks or months before they are ready to make an "official diagnosis." It can often be even longer when diagnosing a teenager due to hormonal issues going on.. The main thing to remember is getting help whether it be medication, therapy or more often than not both.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by Just a girl..

I forgot to mention that I am cyber schooled. Everything I do for school is on the computer at my house.

I can't see you needing a 504 plan if you are cyber schooled if it is asynchronous. But if it is real-time then perhaps but I doubt it. What is giving you problems with the school program because that is what they would address.

[Yoda]

My son had a 504 but it was not because of the bipolar exactly. He also had a written language disability and ADHD which made it difficult to complete written assignments and to stay on task for any length of time.

It isn't so much the label as it is how your disability affects your ability to complete your schoolwork. Before they did the assessment for my son we only knew that he had ADHD and didn't know the others.

[Just a girl..]

It affects my ability to concentrate and stay focused. I have a very hard time staying on track and not getting distracted. When I'm in a 'depressed phase' I feel it doesn't matter anyways, so why try. & when I'm in a 'manic phase' I'm way to hyper to sit still and try to get things done, and I get easily distracted or off topic.

[Victoria'smom]

Then you may want to look at flexible schedule and 5 yrs plan, and year round school.

[Just a girl..]

What's a five year plan? I am a junior, So counting this year, I only have two years left. && what about college..? Would I even be able to attend college? I'm told you need full focus and to study ALOT.

[Victoria'smom]

Highschool

You would have 2 years left instead of just 1.5 but the amount of classes you would take would be less classes. You would take around 4 classes if you have a 45 min. period or 2 classes if you have block scheduled. You can take the extra classes this summer to graduate with your class.

College
You have flexibility before you even go you can testing out of classes you took in highschool through clep and AP. college gives much more flexability:

• you choose your best format (online,electronic,hybrid, in class)
• your speed (10 wks. in quarter based schools, 15wks in semester based schools)
• Your class time
• class length (45 min. 3x a week., or 1.25 hrs 2x a week)
• Your teacher's
• Amount of classes 2-7 (full time financial Aid is 4 or more classes)
• year-round or not (split you financial aid appropriately)
• assignment breakdown (first day of class you are given a syllabus first day of class with all the assignments, quizzes and test days along with the percent that each section counts towards final grade. This makes it easier to prioritize.)
• student based tutoring

TRIO or SSS program
program that helps dis-advantaged students including disabled. provides:

• loaner books
• loaner calculators
• quiet study room
• teacher based tutoring
• counselors
• mid-term reports
• workshops

This is all w/o the disability office
disability office can provide things like

• Being considered a full time student even if you take less than 12 hours
• Extended time on placement test and class tests
• note takers- so you can have organized notes
• allowing tape recorders in class
• alternative testing locations
• books on tape
• special housing accommodation
• priority scheduling
• mediator between teacher and student for accommodation
• special seating

and many more....
I found college much more accommodating then high school because college's work for you.

[Just a girl..]

Thank you so much

[BlueInanna]

Wow MM great info... I want to save that info. My kids had 504 plan before the official IEP. IEP will give you better access to services and legal protection I believe.

Girly, of course you can go to college! Even with bp, you can. Think on the bright side, you are in teen years now - these have to be the worst with hormones and all. In the future, you will have maturity and more experience coping with your bp! It's totally possible. And if it takes you longer so what... well maybe you won't get on making money so quick, but I think being a student is a very cool thing.