High School Help for Daughter just diagnosed

Hi all, I am here for my daughter trying to gain information to help her. She is 14 and a freshman, just diagnosed with Bi-Polar after week long hospitalization. She is in public high school, has missed alot of school and is still dealing with side effects of meds (fatigue and stomach problems) so is still missing school. I am wondering if anyone knows how I should approach this? Is it better to get her a 504 or IEP support plan at school to get her accomodations such as a late start and less homework, or will I be fighting a losing battle? Or should we approach online schooling? For those of you have have been through high school with bipolar what would you recommend?

I am excited to have found this forum and look forward to learning from you all.

Jill

I just wanted to offer support as being diagnosed really young, I know how difficult this. The school system has changed since I was in it (that was a long time ago) and did not offer these accommodations so I was pulled out and put into a private school that worked with us. I have heard better things now and seen them in place as a teacher that the plans will help for accommodations to work with you and your daughter. Hopefully others will have specific advice. I just wanted to offer encouragement that it is not losing battle with school, with documentation and plans, the help is there. I hope she is doing better with her treatment plan as well. Wishing you the best and hang in there!

Hi jalura99,

Sorry to hear that your daughter hasn't been feeling well. This is a trying time for both her and you, I'm sure. I would definitely get some sort of protection in place for her. The process of getting a plan in place can take a while, so be patient. I wouldn't be too quick to pull her out of school and go the online route, especially if she has friends there. I would try to work with the school first.

Here is a link that may help you in deciding where to go from here:

http://www.jbrf.org/edu_forums/issues.html

Her psychiatrist or therapist can help you decide what sorts of accommodations she may need. The school may even want one of her clinicians to come to a meeting to discuss their recommendations. Her clinicians may have contact information for mental health advocates in your area who can also help you with the IEP process. I would call your school district administrative offices to find out the district's policy on long medical leaves. She may need to make up some of the work.

Here is another link that may help you and your daughter navigate the territory of bipolar disorder in teens:

http://www.thebalancedmind.org/?gcli...FUcaQgodKlVmGg

They used to be called the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation and are a very well respected organization.

Kudos to you for doing what you need to do for your daughter. I wish my parents had gone to bat for me back when I first got sick. It was a long time ago, though, and these legal protections didn't exist. My own daughter, now 13, has had an IEP in place since first grade. The IEP will grow and change with your child and is not set in stone. I don't know much about 504 Plans, but my impression is that they are more for academic difficulties than emotional or behavioral ones.

I wish your family well.

If she qualifies you want to get an IEP. They are backed up more in regards to the school having to follow the regulations in it. 504s are not supported as much. I don't believe 504s are funded whereas IEPs are.

If your school wont work with you then find an advocate in your area. When advocates get involved the schools know they are working with someone who will require them to do what they are by law supposed to do.

Good luck.

Hi jalura99,

I just wanted to give you and your daughter my best wishes! I was first diagnosed with major depressive disorder my freshman year of high school, so I know how rough it can be. It sounds like you are taking the right steps to be an advocate for your daughter, I hope the school works with you!