Guidance please

OldDude · Oct 24, 2018

What usually happens in such cases is the child's grades will continue to be so bad, or the behavior prevents classroom success, and when talk of holding them back starts, or they are held back and the next year is no better, the parent will eventually get on board with professional intervention. I've seen this more frequently than I'd like to. Sometimes it takes a year or two or three before the parent finally relinquishes...or they withdraw them for a private school, or they home school them...and...in many cases they eventually come back to public school with interventions. If you've broached the subject and gotten nowhere, I think that's all you can do at this point; unless you suspect abuse or neglect.

naveiak · Oct 24, 2018

Thank you for your reply! Frustrating for sure! I did also ask our school psychologist if she had recommendations but she's swamped so I doubt it. With regards to the neglect issue... i'm learning that my standards aren't necessarily the standards that should be applied in each case. Sad as it is kids can be in some pretty terrible situations before CPS cares to do anything. I do have a couple concerns in this case but not sure if they rise to the level of neglect. Am I allowed to share on here details of the concerns? I don't want to break confidentiality rules...

OldDude · Oct 24, 2018

In the same vein of caution and ambiguity as you introduced your post you could describe circumstances as long as anyone could not connect the dots and identify personal information about these guys. We often toss situations out here on this forum in search of other's opinions, experience, and insight.

SaltineQueen · Oct 25, 2018

The psychologist will need consent to do any sort of evaluation for an IEP. And for a 504 there will have to be a doctor's diagnosis. So for now, it looks like you're stuck. I would make sure the teacher and SpEd teacher are aware of your suspicions so a record can be kept of behaviors/tendencies that would support your suspicions should mom ever come around.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2018

It's a multidisciplinary solution to your problem. The self-dx is worrisome, but if she's not asking for services for the kid then you don't "need" a doctor's orders. You could consider pushing for formal documentation with the parent if you thought you'd get anywhere. Also, since the parent shared with you that there is an issue, have you shared with admin besides the LSSP? Here's the thing - a large school here in NTX is apparently being investigated by the state because a parent told one staff person the student had a medical issue, and that issue was never communicated to anyone else. Then, when there was a problem, the parent said she told so-and-so about this years ago.

The problem is that if we say the "A" word it looks like we're diagnosing (which we can't do) and the school may end up on the hook for diagnosis. Good luck.

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Oct 25, 2018

My school has a Student Services Team (SST) that I am on along with the AP, counselor, school psychologist, social worker/pupil personal worker, and both BSAP (Black Student Achievement Program) Academic Liaison and Hispanic Achievement Liaison. This is exactly the type of student we would discuss and TRY to get the parent in for a conference with key members of the team and the teacher.

I know not all schools have this sort of resource - in 5 years of school this is the first one I've worked in that I've been involved with. Would it be possible for you to talk with other members of your student services group, besides the counselor, to get help? Maybe the AP? A SPED teacher may be a good resources for you to talk with about how to approach the parent as well???

Good luck!

Amethya · Oct 25, 2018

I'm sort of having this issue this year. Had this student since Kinder, mother brought paperwork that says he has ADHD, and meds. I would give him his medication, but once he ran out, mother wouldn't bring refills. She would get mad at me for bothering me about it, but he needed them.

This year, he's in 2nd grade. Same medication, same issue. But this time I had teacher back up. She finally brought refills, but she was telling me specifically that he doesn't have ADHD, but here's his meds. I was confused, I called the doctor and asked the nurse, and then the mother called back angrily that I contacted the doctor. She's the parent, therefore her word, why do I need to talk to them. She's more mad that the teacher called social services and started to blame me for start something, but I told her I wasn't. I told her, that as the sole medical professional in this school, I have to protect my certification and this school, so that's why I was asking, to make sure this was accurate, because I don't want anything happening to my certification and as well to her and her family for not abiding to the laws.

The teacher backed me up again, and but we just find this weird. Unless they are diagnosed, that medication isn't allowed to be given, right? So what should I do?

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Oct 25, 2018

I'm sort of having this issue this year. Had this student since Kinder, mother brought paperwork that says he has ADHD, and meds. I would give him his medication, but once he ran out, mother wouldn't bring refills. She would get mad at me for bothering me about it, but he needed them.
This year, he's in 2nd grade. Same medication, same issue. But this time I had teacher back up. She finally brought refills, but she was telling me specifically that he doesn't have ADHD, but here's his meds. I was confused, I called the doctor and asked the nurse, and then the mother called back angrily that I contacted the doctor. She's the parent, therefore her word, why do I need to talk to them. She's more mad that the teacher called social services and started to blame me for start something, but I told her I wasn't. I told her, that as the sole medical professional in this school, I have to protect my certification and this school, so that's why I was asking, to make sure this was accurate, because I don't want anything happening to my certification and as well to her and her family for not abiding to the laws.
The teacher backed me up again, and but we just find this weird. Unless they are diagnosed, that medication isn't allowed to be given, right? So what should I do?

Had a similarish issue at my last school. Is it possible the mother is keeping the medication for her self and/or selling it?

Amethya · Oct 25, 2018

Had a similarish issue at my last school. Is it possible the mother is keeping the medication for her self and/or selling it?

That's a good question, but if I investigate, she'll come again and get in my face and I seriously hate when parents get in my face for something I'm suppose to be doing.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2018

Had a similarish issue at my last school. Is it possible the mother is keeping the medication for her self and/or selling it?

Interesting though. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen it. I had a student take an ADHD med in school with me, parent always sent me bottle that said 30 tablets with 20 tablets in it. No big deal, as I see this a lot with students that also take the medication at home on weekends/nonschool days. But this student didn't take it on those days, was told that by both parent and child. And can't jump to conclusions, but that thought crossed my mind often.

mdavis2018 · Oct 25, 2018

It sounds bad, but is mom does not want to listen, it may be best to let things surface. If he/she does indeed have autism, it will only be a matter of time before it becomes undeniable. No mom wants to think that their child may face challenges in life.