The ADA, IDEA and IEPs

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a medical diagnosis that allows parents to seek enhanced assistance at public schools (or in some instances, schools receiving federal funding) from state and federal laws designed to help students struggling with hyperactivity, the inability to pay attention in class, to follow instructions, or for socialization issues caused by those behaviors. The process of getting help for your child begins by having him or her evaluated by a licensed medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of  learning disorders. Typically, the medical professional who can help with this issue is a child psychologist. There are many ways to find a competent child psychologist including asking for a referral from your child’s primary care doctor, researching your state’s medical licensure database, and even by word-of-mouth from a trusted friend or neighbor.

Once the child has been evaluated through testing, and if a learning disability like ADHD has been diagnosed, the parent can inform the school of the diagnosis and provide the documentation necessary to require the school to provide enhanced assistance for their child. This enhanced assistance usually comes as something called an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The purpose of the IEP is to ensure that each student with a disability receives the help they need to make the most of their educational opportunities. Part of the IEP process includes developing a written plan that can be reviewed and revised to meet the student’s educational needs as well as regular parent/teacher/administrator meetings to keep track of progress. It is important to note that each state may have different requirements for accessing help for ADHD-related school behaviors. Contacting your child’s school is a good way to learn about the steps you will need to take for your geographical location.

Here are some helpful links to other websites that contain more detailed
information about the Disabilities Acts and IEPs, including a link to a “50 State Survey”
that may help you find the relevant laws for your school district:

• 50-State Survey on Special Education Law – FCLawLib

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – U.S. Dept. of Justice 

• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) – WI Dept. of Public Instruction 

• A Guide to the Individualized Education Program

• KidsHealth: ADHD and School

• IDEA, ADA, IEP'S, and Section 504 Plans: What Happens in College?