New to this forum. We're looking into a 504 plan for our DD

[neetling]

She has a diagnosis of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.  She's in the 1st grade.  She had started to space out her episodes, but has started having more frequent vomiting episodes coinciding with/caused by other illnesses.  I'm looking into a 504 plan because it's very likely she's going to have many more than the "allowed" absences.

I really have no idea what to expect and would appreciate any words of wisdom.  I like her teacher and principal and do not expect any problems there.  I haven't met the school nurse or counselor yet.

She's performing at grade level so far.  Basically I want her absences to not count against her.  We don't need to take her to the doctor every time she has an episode unless she's so dehydrated from the vomiting that she needs IV fluids.  I'm not going to make her do any schoolwork during the duration of her illness.  She's not able to talk, let alone work on schoolwork.  This may be an issue as she gets older and the work becomes more difficult.

What kind for things should we ask for?

Thanks.

[Linda on the move]

504 plans are VERY easy to change, much more simple than changing an IEP. Just ask for what she needs right now, and if you need to change it later, then change it.

In 7th grade with tons of absences, my DD's specified that absences never counted against her, that she had extended time to do make up work.  The general policy was one day to make up for per day of absence, she was given until the Monday following the day it would have been due, giving her an extra weekend.

We also had stuff in her 504 about communication with the teachers (doing lots of absences with a whole cast of teachers is tricky) but if your DD's teacher is clear about what needs to be done, I wouldn't worry about yet.

Good luck!  Our meetings always went well. Everyone was working together to help make her successful.

[nd_deadhead]

My son got a 504 in 9th grade because of depression and anxiety. It allows him to go to a special ed classroom (specicially for kids with emotional disorders) during the day if he is feeling particularly anxious, without getting caounted absent. The SE teacher helps coordinate with his teachers to get asssignments, and he can make up tests and quizzes in her room, rather than always having to make work up after school. It has worked out very well for us.

My other son has an illness that has caused him to miss a lot of school, and going to the doctor on those days won't do anything for him (like your dd). He is an interesting case at Mayo Clinic. Our school policy is that you can only have a certain number of unexcused absences, but a doctor's note gives you an excused absence. It sounds like your school is the same - but it doesn't make sense to run to the doctor every time.

When my son was dealing with this, we had a good enough relationship with our family doctor that I could simply call his nurse in the morning and say "B is having an episode - can you write him a note for school?" We got a note every time, for as many days as he missed during a particular episode.

So I suggest both getting a 504 plan for your dd, and discussing with your doctor the issue of medically excused absences. Best wishes to you and your little girl - I assure you that your proactive involvement with her school is well worth the effort.