Question
I have 8-year-old twin boys in the third grade. One learns very easily, has great focus and does very well in school. The other boy is a very slow learner in all areas, reading, writing, math. He just made it to grade level reading and writing at the end of 2nd grade and is below level in math. He likes school and is a very hard worker in school. He is not a behavior problem. He stuggles with completing his work on time and remaining focused on his work. We have been told repeatedly by every teacher that he has that he is able to learn and do the work - he has an attention problem. He has been in the pull-out reading program since first grade and he currently receives extra time to complete tests. The education/intervention plan he has is not a formal plan. The school is pushing us to have our son see their psychologist and receive a "label" (add) so that he can get a 504 plan and receive the extra time he needs to complete tests - county assessments and the state MSA tests in March. They feel he can pass these tests and succeed if he has the time he needs to take them. They can no longer give him the time he needs to finish tests unless we have him "labeled". I do not want some label stuck on my child so that he feels there is something wrong with him. He has a twin brother and we cannot let him fall behind a grade while his brother goes on - it would be a devastating blow to him. We would never think of medication for him as both my husband and myself have long family histories of horrible alcohol and drug addition. How can we help our child without having a learning disabled label stuck on him? Should we have the 504 plan and then have him tutored - thus giving him the extra time he needs and then removing the plan when he gets there on his own? Can you get rid of a label once it is given? The school says you can have the 504 removed anytime you want - it won't follow him his entire school. They swear they have his best interest at heart and they would never pressure us to medicate. We don't know what to do - help!!!! Thank you.
