Section 504 For Your Child

[maitrimama]

Sorry if I am driving you all nuts with so many questions, you have been a huge help. Has anyone taken advantage of the federal statute section 504 (I may very well have that wording wrong). My 15 yr old daughter's doctor has encouraged us to get it set in place so if she needs it we don't have to scramble.

[StephanieL]

You can start with doing a search here. There is also a site (kids with Food Allergies) that has a lot of resources for parents wanting a 504 for food related issues. I know they aren't the same, Celiac and allergies, but they are in the same vein so to speak.

My DS is only in preschool but I plan on getting a 504 for him next year in kindy for his Celiac and food allergies.

[maitrimama]

My daughter is 15 and her GI doctor has told us that if the school gives us any problems let him know because usually one phone call from the hospital's lawyer sets them straight! Right now we are looking for things like access to a refrigerator and microwave, a universal bathroom pass (she also has ibd) and the ability to take breaks during standardized testing.

[kareng]

My daughter is 15 and her GI doctor has told us that if the school gives us any problems let him know because usually one phone call from the hospital's lawyer sets them straight! Right now we are looking for things like access to a refrigerator and microwave, a universal bathroom pass (she also has ibd) and the ability to take breaks during standardized testing.

Have you talked to the school counselor? That's how you get it started around here. Did you even ask if she could just use the restroom when she needs to? At our High School, it wouldn't be a big deal. Get her a "cooler" type lunch box so she doesn't have to leave her lunch in a fridge. Until your official paperwork goes thru, can she just use one of the microwaves? They are probably in the cooking room, cafeteria, teachers lounge, special ed room, nursed office, some teachers rooms? Just re-heat, well-covered.

Maybe our schools are more accomadating or less rigid with the good kids? I can think of several teachers that, it f my son explained, would let him use thier microwave & fridge.

[maitrimama]

Don't get me wrong, our school is really good but we are dealing with a 15 yr old who is new to this. I don't know any 15 year olds want to be diffrent - even having to raise your hand multiple times on a bad day draws attention, with a universal pass she is seated close to the door and doesn't have to ask. The refrigerator and microwave have insurance libality issues. Being able to take breaks during standardized testing can also be tricky.

[kareng]

Don't get me wrong, our school is really good but we are dealing with a 15 yr old who is new to this. I don't know any 15 year olds want to be diffrent - even having to raise your hand multiple times on a bad day draws attention, with a universal pass she is seated close to the door and doesn't have to ask. The refrigerator and microwave have insurance libality issues. Being able to take breaks during standardized testing can also be tricky.

All I'm saying is, while you are waiting for your paperwork to go through, just ask if you can have the bathroom deal. You don't need a fridge & microwave. Kids bring lunches to school all the time.

Have you even talked to the school counselor? Any of her teachers? I can't imagine a teacher that wouldn't let her leave for the bathroom without askingi if they knew about it ahead of time. Unless she was abusing it but I don't think that's what we are talking about.

[CeliacMom2008]

We're on our 4th year with Celiac and don't have a 504. I've found teachers to be really helpful and understanding. They sometimes forget things, but for the most part they try really hard. I wouldn't fuss about a microwave or fridge. Kids bring their lunches every single day without them. I'd try the relaxed approach first and go for a 504 if you run into serious issues.

[sariesue]

Don't get me wrong, our school is really good but we are dealing with a 15 yr old who is new to this. I don't know any 15 year olds want to be diffrent - even having to raise your hand multiple times on a bad day draws attention, with a universal pass she is seated close to the door and doesn't have to ask. The refrigerator and microwave have insurance libality issues. Being able to take breaks during standardized testing can also be tricky.

A universal bathroom pass and preferential seating(close to the door) are actually two seperate issues. A universal bathroom pass means that the student has the ability to leave to use the bathroom at their discretion and does not need to ask the teacher first. This does not automatically come with the preferential seating close to the door. Preferential seating is when a condition ie medical, emotional, or physical requires special seating within a classroom. For example, a child who is hard of hearing would need the preferential seating close to the teacher. They are actually separate accommodations and one can be approved but not the other. They may find that even with her medical conditions a permanent bathroom pass is enough and that she does not need to be seated as close to the door as possible because she can leave the room the moment she feels the urge. This might be the case especially if she isn't having accidents or in danger of having accidents.

I suggest talking with the school if it would be better for her to get a 504 plan or to get an IEP. She fits into an IEP under the category of OHI(other health impairments). This might make it easier for you to obtain the things that you want like breaks during standardized testing. It also may help if she has to miss multiple days of school due to her conditions and if they are preventing her from learning.

Also, with the products out there today it really isn't necessary to have access to a refrigerator. She could pack her lunch in a lunch box with ice packs when her lunch is cold, and a thermos for hot foods. Just like all the other students and then she wouldn't appear to be different.

[StephanieL]

Why would Celiac qualify for an IEP? Is an IEP not for Special Ed? I was always under the impression that an IEP is for disabilities that alter a child's learning process. A 504 is not as specific and is for things like food allergies/Celiac where there isn't an LD type issue but there do need to be changes for a child's safety.

[sariesue]

Why would Celiac qualify for an IEP? Is an IEP not for Special Ed? I was always under the impression that an IEP is for disabilities that alter a child's learning process. A 504 is not as specific and is for things like food allergies/Celiac where there isn't an LD type issue but there do need to be changes for a child's safety.

It would qualify if her celiac combined with her IBD was causing her to miss multiple days of school. If she was spending more time in the bathroom than class. If she has to go home early often because she is too sick to be in class. Those things take away from her ability to learn in a normal classroom setting. There is a whole category of special education for the class of other health impairments. Odds are celiac on it's own would not qualify however, that combined with ibd might. I had a friend with chron's in highschool who had an IEP because of the condition.

[maitrimama]

So far everything is going well. My daughter really is a good kid & well liked by teachers and staff. It helps that the middle school (where her sister is) and high school are separate parts of the same building & she has had the same guidance counselor since 7th grade (she is now in 10th). Not only did they agree to universal bathroom pass, seating in class that works for her, flexibilty around dr's appts, testing and sick days and without us asking the teachers agreed to give her a little wiggle room to adjust to the changes in her life. Our state has annual standardized testing and has a "stop the clock" plan already in place for cases like my daughter's. The school has requested that we file the 504 because it protects them as well.