I think call a team meeting and discuss it as a group.  They don’t have to accept anything a doctor says, written officially or not.  On one hand, I agree with them - when he gets out to the real world - there are expectations that he can do what is asked within the time period.  On the other hand, I think they are being overly critical.

I say, let them take it late with reduced points.  Call a team meeting and show that he is not doing well with school.  then push for an IEP where you can get either the work reduced or get them to accept late assignments without penalty.  To a certain degree, they have you over a barrell with a 504.

contact the school superintendent.  Relay your problem, request a conference with the teacher, principal and superintendent if you have to.

Don’t you dare give in or up!  My son is 14 and up until this year, I had no idea of rights we have! My son struggled from K until 9th grade. Well I am a single mom and we both have ADD and I want a better life for him and High School (9-12) is very impt that he stay focused and do well on grades. I asked for 2 sets of books (you have that right too) one set for school and one set for home.  I also check grades and assignments daily to stay on top of it all.  Also have an open communication with principal and teachers.  Tell your son you are there to help and you are all a team to be there to help.  Also go to all parent conf. I am shocked how many parents didn’t go to my son’s high school.  Then parents wonder why they aren’t doing well. I hope this helps.  This website is awesome~you will get tons of support and advice.  Remember you are not alone!  Keep us posted. Maybe you will help another family going thru this.

Thank you for all of this information.  I have a 504 for my 4th grade severe ADHD son and homework is one of our biggest issues.  Thanks for everyone’s input on this.  Very helpful!

You have to pick your battles.  I’ve been there.  When my daughter was in 3rd grade, her teacher also refused to honor the guidelines.  I kept on top of her, had meetings with her, argued with her, nothing helped.  She didn’t care and she deducted the points for lateness.  I told my daughter that not everything in life is fair and we just have to do our best in her classroom.  That was not a good year grade wise for my child but the lesson she learned in the end, was that every teacher is different and she can’t decide what to do and not do.  She knew if she did not do the assingment, points would be deducted.  She is now in 5th grade and have never had another problem, but I am sure we will.  My advice is to take it up with the teacher and if she still refuses, then just accept it and move on.  Sometimes, I think, we can fight so much for our children that we prevent them from learning some much needed life lessons.  Good luck!

I agree….thanks for all the input! We too are just implementing a 504 for my son and I see that I had better not go in with blinders on…...I had better research what our rights are.
My son also has issues with having his homework done and in his backpack, but doesn’t turn it in….so very frustrating. Hate to be the helicopter parent!
Perhaps my son does need an IEP vs a 504.
He is in the 4th grade and they aren’t using the grading system until next year. I know that each year is going to be harder for me to have a handle on it unless I push for it! Anyone have a good website to go to for what to ask for accomodations?

Here is a place that can help you. 

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.goals.plan.htm

Also, this site has a list of accomodations that addressing testing.  I had a more complete list, but I can’t find it right now.  When I do, I will post it for you.

http://www.oswegoboces.org/setrc/test_modifications.htm

Good luck! 

ps..by the way, if a teacher isn’t following the plan written for your child, go to the principal and let them know.  It helped some in our situation.

Kids with ADHD tend to be about 30% behind developmentally in terms of their Executive Functions—so your 11 year old is more like a 7 or 8 year old in terms of organization, planning, seeing the big picture, time and detail management, etc.  His organization challenges SHOULD be acommodated if the are impacting his grades (which they are if he is missing or turning in late assignments).  Depending on how much it is affecting his grades, you may want to start trying to push for an IEP. 

In the past, some teachers have balked at my son’s late homework accommodations (he is now 16 and in 10th grade).  I always gently go into the following conversation with them (in a non-confrontational way):  I find that teachers seem to look at the concept of homework a bit differently some times.  Could you tell me, for your class, what is it that the homework component of the grade provides for your student?  (they usually talk about reinforcing what they learned, measuring competence, etc.)  The bottom line for me is always, isn’t the goal for him to learn the material with that reinforcement, and show you his competence, not to punish him for the organizational challenges that come with his disability?  If he can show you that competence or that he’s practicing what he’s learned in class, but it comes to you a day late WHILE HE’S WORKING on learning how to deal with those organizational challenges, doesn’t that meet the same end goal?  If I hear something about other kids being able to turn things in on time or holding him to a different standard, then I always counter with “I’m not worried about other kids.  I’m worried about my son having appropriate access to his education.  That’s why they’re called “Individualized Education Plans”. 

Just sayin’!  The goal of course is not to let them off the hook, but to make sure he’s accommodated all the while that he’s learning to use organizational methods in ways that work for him while his Executive Function matures and develops. 

As far as websites for your right, check out wrightslaw.com to learn more about your rights. ADDitude magazine and CHADD also have lots of info about accommodations.

Finding a trained ADD Coach who’s well-versed on the subject can also help.  (http://www.ADHDCoaches.org) lists appropriately trained coaches and you can choose by specialty.  Most ADD Coaches who work with parents are adept in this area.

Hope that helps!

Best of luck,

Lynne Edris, ACG
Life & ADD Coach
http://www.CoachingADDvantages.com

I am a teacher with ADHD. I feel a little mixed on this issue! I have some ADHD students as well. Usually with homework, I give them more than 1 night to do it anyways. With that being said, I tell them they will lose points if it is not turned in to me at THE END OF THE DAY on the day it is due. That also gives them the chance to work on it at lunch time if they do not have it that day.

I do not think that your son should have the freedom to turn in all late assignments without some type of a consequence, because that is not going to HELP his ADHD. The thing with ADD/ADHD is that we have to work really hard to overcome it…. we can’t just use it as an excuse, otherwise it will control our lives. (trust me… been there already in my own life!)

I say call a meeting with his team of teachers. Come up with some kind of a system for him to organize his homework. Also, this is something you will have to work a lot on with him at home. Even though by middle school they should be responsible for their homework, you may want to look into some sort of a visual-a chart, a calendar, or a checklist-for your child to complete EVERY SINGLE DAY. When your child is finished with the homework, make him/her put it DIRECTLY into their bookbag.

For those of us with ADD/ADHD, we succeed with routine and systems. It helps us to remember what we have to do and when we have to do it. Hope this helps!