Advocacy Center Success Stories: Edition #4

Despite a diagnosis of conduct disorder and ADHD, a child was expelled. The school refused to find the child's outburst related to his disability. The school also attempted to keep Advocacy Center staff from coming to a meeting about the student, stating that AC did not belong there. As the Advocacy Center had been retained by the child’s parent(s) to represent his/her rights, this was a clear violation of the law. AC forwarded the appropriate regulations to the school, and made contact with the 504 Coordinator and Director of Special Education. Despite their reluctance, the school determined that the child’s behavior was related to his/her disability, and AC then worked with the parents and the school to develop an appropriate behavior plan for the child. AC also insisted that he/she change classrooms to get away from the teacher who was instigating the situation and pushing to have him expelled; the student is now thriving.