Can my childs school kick my son out of school if i refuse to give him his medication for adhd
He has been diagnose with adhd.. When he is on his meds he is very disrupptive in class it is very hard for him to focus hes always on the GO he looks like a zombie his pubals are big and he also wets him self throughout the day he never used to wet him self when he wasnt taking meds and he doesnt go to sleep till like 3 oclock in the morning i hate all the meds that his doctors prescribed him they all seem to have the same side effects and that just isnt working for him I dont want him to git addicted to the medication as he gits older its going to be extremely hard for him to cope without his meds as i seen and heard
It depends on if it is a public or private school. Most private schools can kick kids out for that. Public school can only kick you out for behavior issues (to my knowledge).
It depends on his behavior, yes he can get suspended if he is very unruly or aggressive. If the meds will help him focus and do well, and be a thriving student and a happier individual then you are only helping him. If you choose not to give meds simply b/c you don't want to, then hopefully you are providing him with coping techniques and therapy, and working with his school. Many schools has study programs for children like this, hopefully yours does.
Here are some helpful articles for you:
http://www.additudemag.com/topic/adhd-learning-disabiliti...
http://www.ncpamd.com/adhd_and_school.htm
I fully agree with previous response. If your child is having difficulty in school they may request he go to an alternative education program as well. Not sure why you don't want to give him meds. Has he been fully evaluated by a licensed psychologist? receiving therapy? If he is, you are more likely to be able to work with the school on behavior management. If you are not doing anything, you are putting your child at great risk for failures academically, socially, etc. Then the school most likely will not work with you. A private school can kick you out, public schools have to find alternative educations, usually is called Individual Educational Plan (IEP). This is only done at a meeting with everyone involved. Failure to do anything when your child is diagnosed with a mental illness or even physical illness can be considered neglect in some states and Children Services could get involved. Best advice, seek out experienced psychologists to evaluate and work with your child and give him at least therapy and work with the school.
If they're public... Absolutely NOT.
There's quite a bit of legality involved, but what it boils down to is that not even the COURTS can force a person to take ADHD medication. And schools are not a higher form of authority than the United States Judiciary. Although some teachers and admin folks might think so. I say this somewhat ruefully, but since there are entire books written / sites/ support groups for special ed advocasy... not inaccurately. Just because a school is required to do x, or not allowed to do y, doesn't mean that they will follow the law unless forced to do so.
Public schools are REQUIRED to provide educational services to children with disabilities - backed by 2 rather strong laws; Individuals with Disabilities Act, & the sect 504 rehabilitation act ... but they are NOT allowed to dictate medication. Even doctors (or courts as mentioned before) aren't allowed to dictate medication, that is at the sole discretion of the child's legal guardian. What schools CAN do is choose to either do special education under IDEA, and IEP (individualized education plan), &/or a 504 plan. The school can TRY to sneak medication into the IEP or 504 and have the parent sign it, therefore making it a mandatory condition, but a parent is under no obligaton to accept that as a clause.
for more info on advocacy/ knowing your educational rights:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1623.html
ADHD (like aspie kids) presents a special problem, however, since most kids with either are also gifted. Which makes them "twice exceptional"... so parents find themselves often both fighting for LD Advocacy, as well as Gifted Advocacy.
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/advocacy.htm
HOWEVER... all that said... if your child is in Private School, YES, they can expel him for any reason they choose. And in Public School, YES, they can expel him for certain kinds of behaviors, at which point it is up to the parents to appeal (aka LD advocacy).
Seriously you have to be logical. Is your child disrupting the class? If he is the school is doing the right thing by the other children to ask that you either give your child his prescription or use an alternative education method.
Why would you think that would be unfair?
No, they can not! I have a son that suffers from adhd and I no longer give him his medicine. It had him psychotic. As long as you have a IEP for your son he has so many safeguards that will protect him. Tell the school that you are going to get an advocate to come to the school and speak on your behalf, The will answer to a different drum once they hear that. Go to http://www.wrightslaw.com/ for information regarding his rights. I just dealt with a similar situation and once you speak their language things will start to turn around. I hope that this helps because I sincerely understand your pain.
I too had one on meds for ADHD and took him off in 4th grade. It made him a zombie. Since he had an IEP they had to be more creative in dealing with him.
Be his advocate, if you don't like him on the meds then he doesn't need to be on them.
I would talk to a psychiatrist though. Maybe there are other meds he can take.
Be sure to look into his diet, that helped us alot. No red dyes, no nitrites, no fake cheese, sugars. Be proactive.
Get him involved in sports like swimming, karate, not team sports. My 10 yo loves fencing.
Actually, I know someone who has that very thing happen! I advise you to speak to a lawyer.
They cannot force you if it is a public school. cb
NO!!!. What School District is this?? I work for Northside I.S.D. here in San Antonio. We have a lot of students with ADHD who are on meds. & who aren't. They don't get kicked out of school for that!!!
Check into this. This is not right!!!
No, they can't force you to give your child meds. Call CHADD the association for ADHD and they will offer free information. I believe under contact you will find a toll free number. You may need an advocate to help you get your son the services that he needs. There are many advocates that will work pro bono.
Is he disruptive or is he just walking around. Get him into a martial arts class or a gymnastics class so he can learn where his body is in space and develop inner discipline.
Take him off all food additives and prepackaged foods. This means you cook from scratch. He will become calmer.
I never gave my kids any sugars because these funny lettered conditions run in our family. I discovered dance and stuck with it until 29 years of age. It helped me immensely.
