I'm so sorry your son is experiencing pain and hope his docs can find something to help.
My daughter was diagnosed at the beginning of 10th grade and missed 90 of 180 instructional days that year. We did the best we could with her 504 plan. She managed to finish 3 courses with a B average, after dropping two classes. While some of her individual teachers were helpful and sympathetic, we had a very difficult time with members of the school and district administration (including the nurse) who questioned why we couldn't just make her go to school by 7:20 AM everyday. Their focus was getting her to show up - even if she went home after that - so they could count her as having attended. If she wasn't there, we had to provide a signed doctor's note for each day she missed or was late.
By the beginning of 11th grade we did not see any other option than cyber school because it was clear that our daughter was still not in remission and was going to continue to miss a lot of school, so, even with the accommodations the school provided - and we paid lawyers to help us secure a more rigorous IEP - she was not going to be able to get an education or keep up.
I'm so glad we made the change. She can sleep in, get up and do all her work - it usually takes her 3-4 hours (and then there isn't homework) - and interact with her teachers in real time. She is getting A's in six classes, including Honors. She will take one class this summer and be on track to fulfill all her HS requirements. She can do work from the hospital - if she is there for an infusion or is inpatient.
She attends a state approved cyber charter school so it is a free education. Working with them on the 504 was very easy and was accomplished in a 20 minute meeting.
Regarding college, I know that the graduating classes from this school attend good colleges. Students go this cyber school for many reasons - including physical and emotional health - and also because some are competitive athletes and performers who need the flexible schedule.
My daughter will be applying to colleges in the fall and so we are hoping that attending a cyber school in no way hinders her. She is taking honors classes and next year plans to take AP courses as well. For us, this has been a really great option.
While I am finally quite clear that my daughter's symptoms - pain, nausea - and worse when she flares - are due to the IBD - I know that the stress of being at war with the school - and us at times pushing her to go when she was ill just to appease them - could not have helped her.
Feel free to message me if I can answer any other questions.
Kathy
Katrina9 my son is in 6th grade and has missed 3 months of school. I'm curious if this happened in high school how on-line/cyber school can work with College applications and choices. Right now my son has a 504 and they send the work via friends or computer he keeps up the best he can, but it is stressful. He is on remicade monthly methotrexate and uceris and just came up with a high calprotection level. His pain has been so bad at times he can't walk and nothing has worked he's also been seen by pain clinic. I appreciate advice on cyber school in case we need it in the future even though I pray daily he will not have this pain forever. Thanks in advance for your help!