At the beginning ofor the school year, I gave the school a lettrr from the doctor's office regarding my child's condition. Due to the ilness, she has a lot of school due to not feeling well after infusion. She tries her best to push through it. She is a 9th grade student and some days her workload can be overwhelming when it comes to homework. Although I give them letters from the doctor's office after each appointment and infusion treatment, somehow this isn't enough. I'm told I may have to go to a metting regrading absences. Do any of you have experience with the 504 plan? Does it help with missing school?
504 plan
- Thread starter Ladybug12
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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Regardless of a 504
They can't count medically excused absences(ones you have doctors notes for ) against your dd.
They can count parent excused absences against her
Most states allow very few parent excused absences
Ccfa has recommended 504 plan
But most school refuse especially the school abscence part
Since absences count against the schoools and state funds they get
That said having a documented 504 plan is a good thing as well as each time she misses school due to Crohns to have a doctors note
Most GI offices will let you call in for one
http://www.ccfa.org/resources/template-section-504-plan.html
http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/504factsheet0816.pdf
http://www.ccfa.org/resources/new-school-accommodation.html
Good luck
They can't count medically excused absences(ones you have doctors notes for ) against your dd.
They can count parent excused absences against her
Most states allow very few parent excused absences
Ccfa has recommended 504 plan
But most school refuse especially the school abscence part
Since absences count against the schoools and state funds they get
That said having a documented 504 plan is a good thing as well as each time she misses school due to Crohns to have a doctors note
Most GI offices will let you call in for one
http://www.ccfa.org/resources/template-section-504-plan.html
http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/504factsheet0816.pdf
http://www.ccfa.org/resources/new-school-accommodation.html
Good luck
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Definitely get a 504 plan! We had the same issue - good student, but had to miss school for appointments, infusions and of course, there were days she just didn't feel well enough to go. Once you have a 504, you're protected.
Also make sure extensions on assignments is in her 504 plan. That will take some of the pressure of a bit. Other common accommodations are bathroom breaks during testing (stop the clock testing), use of the bathroom without asking during class etc.
CCFA has a really good list and template that MLP linked above - I would look at that.
Also make sure extensions on assignments is in her 504 plan. That will take some of the pressure of a bit. Other common accommodations are bathroom breaks during testing (stop the clock testing), use of the bathroom without asking during class etc.
CCFA has a really good list and template that MLP linked above - I would look at that.
There are different plans for different issues, both academic and illnesses. 504 is one of several options, but with each, there are various accomodations. Definitely be sure to get medical excuses whenever possible. Whenever a student falls under a plan, there are specific accomodations for that plan that must be agreed on by the district and the parents, and even her when she is of age to make her own academic decisions. You can always request a meeting to further discuss those concerns, and to see if modifications of assignments is one possibility to meet her specific needs.
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I recommend you hire an advocate to work with you. My son has a diagnosed learning disability and the 504 plan listed accommodations but his teachers didn't really adhere to it. He was finally put on an IEP and outplayed after missing nearly a year of school because of the anxiety his disability causes. He would have been put on an IEP ten years earlier if we had hired an advocate.
I know Crohn's is not a learning disability, but an advocate can help you navigate the system. I would have her doctor write exactly what she needs in a letter (absences due to illness are excused, assignments may be turned in late because of absences, extra help if necessary because of missed class time, etc.)
Our high school also has a special program to help kids who are having a hard time (often because of illnesses or injuries but also anxiety). My younger daughter suffers from depression and her guidance counselor and the program have been very helpful. Are you in frequent contact with her counselor? My son and younger daughter both have had the same guidance counselor and she has been incredibly helpful.
What I have learned is that if you push the right way and have the right people helping you your daughter can receive as many accommodations as she needs. By the time my younger daughter started high school I had learned so much from my son's experiences that I was able to get her the help she needed.
I know Crohn's is not a learning disability, but an advocate can help you navigate the system. I would have her doctor write exactly what she needs in a letter (absences due to illness are excused, assignments may be turned in late because of absences, extra help if necessary because of missed class time, etc.)
Our high school also has a special program to help kids who are having a hard time (often because of illnesses or injuries but also anxiety). My younger daughter suffers from depression and her guidance counselor and the program have been very helpful. Are you in frequent contact with her counselor? My son and younger daughter both have had the same guidance counselor and she has been incredibly helpful.
What I have learned is that if you push the right way and have the right people helping you your daughter can receive as many accommodations as she needs. By the time my younger daughter started high school I had learned so much from my son's experiences that I was able to get her the help she needed.
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Yes, request a 504 plan and get that ball rolling. It helps with extended absence, homework loads, and many, many other things. We took the CCFA plan that MLP listed above and just modified it to meet DS' needs.
My son's guidance counselor (11th gr) just called a few minutes ago because DS has AP exams and the ACT coming up and he's making accommodations for DS based on his 504 plan. It also carries on to college as well.
My son's guidance counselor (11th gr) just called a few minutes ago because DS has AP exams and the ACT coming up and he's making accommodations for DS based on his 504 plan. It also carries on to college as well.
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My son has a 504 Plan for his Crohn's. He is allowed to have a water bottle with him at all times, he is allowed to leave the classroom for the bathroom at any time. He is allowed to use the nurse's bathroom for privacy. If he misses part of a test because he has to use the bathroom, his teachers must give him time to make it. I am not sure what it says about absences, I do not have it in front of me but the school is aware that he has to leave school early or go in late for doctor appointments and he gets time to make up things he misses due to appointments. A previous post stated that Crohn's is not a learning disability....although this may be true, Crohn' s does affect cognitive ability and his GI specifically noted this is her letter of diagnosis to his school.
I wasn't sure if he would ever need it but I wanted it on file just in case. We have had no issues at all with the teacher's adhering to it. I recommend you get one.
I wasn't sure if he would ever need it but I wanted it on file just in case. We have had no issues at all with the teacher's adhering to it. I recommend you get one.
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I know a student who has a 504 plan for IBD that includes home instruction that kicks in when she misses a set number of days. She gets 2 hours when she misses 3 consecutive days. Just to help with instruction she may have missed and ensure she doesn't fall behind. Another has an IEP because he needs assignments modified based on the impact his illness has in school. The classification is Other Health Impaired. The impact of the illness and the need for special education support to address the impact is what's most important.
Wrightslaw.com is a good site that talks about the legal implications of special education and disability law.
Wrightslaw.com is a good site that talks about the legal implications of special education and disability law.
As a teacher, I have been coming back to this thread and it makes me so happy that you all are stayng so informed on your sweet kiddoes needs. I made a post earlier, and tried to stay somewhat vague but hopefully helpful at the same time. Definitely talk with your school administrators, your children's teachers, etc. I can't imagine any teacher not making accomodations...especially since I have Crohns. Always my policy has been open door for any cild needing to go to the restroom...I love that Mehita commented about college. Absolutely! If your child has IEP's of any kind, then there is TONS of assistance in college as well, including being able to have a private dorm room! There is even a program called occupational rehab that will GIVE MONEY for text books, travel, supplies, computers, etc to assist your child. For public school aged children, if you feel you need a liaison to help you get all the necessary accomodations, they are available to help speak up for your child. Lots of laws in favor of the child...they each blossom in their own time and own way and there are so many ways to ensure your babies get a superb education despite this insane sometmes hidden illness. Good luck and God Bless! 
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We are doing the transfer to college process right now and having the 504 already in place has been super helpful, we gave a copy to the disability office and the accommodations are a little different with college and the process is a little different it's more a student talking with their professors but if there are problems they step in we've also been able to put in the accommodation that he can get a copy of the professor's notes if he misses class or is having issues with fatigue which usually affects his cognitive functioning.
Still working on the housing issue but his doctor wrote a letter requesting private bath if possible or at least semi private (basically a quad room with a bath)
Still working on the housing issue but his doctor wrote a letter requesting private bath if possible or at least semi private (basically a quad room with a bath)
Thank you all for providing information about the plan. I spoke with the principal today. She was very understanding. She has previous experience with a staff member and former student having crohns. I've requested the 504 form from the doctor's office. Hopefully we can get this taken care of this week.
