<p>I was speaking to my English teacher about my anxiety issues (currently undiagnosied, but my current doctor concedes to the fact that anxiety is most likely what is happening), and how much I hate how teachers make rash assumptions that if you get your work in late, or you don't do well on tests, that you must be a horrible student. She suggested I get tested for anxiety through the school, then if I get tested as positive get a 504 plan so I can recieve oral tests, a different room to test in, work extensions, and so on.</p>
<p>Have you/your child ever been on a 504 plan (esp for anxiety) and how did you go about getting it.</p>
<p>If your family can afford it, do a complete educational evaluation with an educational psychologist. Anxiety is often present with other learning disabilities, especially undiagnosed LD’s. You are likely to get better results testing privately than through the school district. Once the exact nature of your anxiety problems is diagnosed accommodations can be put in place. The psychologist will submit a report to the school outlining exactly what accommodations will help you and the school will open a 504 plan for you. Then the school will alert your teachers and you will follow up by making sure you ask for the help you need in each class. Accommodations will help, but knowing exactly what your problem is may reduce your anxiety levels considerably. The psychologist may refer you to a doctor for medication as well. Good luck, taking action will improve your situation.</p>
<p>I don’t think that in my state (CA) school districts test for anxiety. This sounds like a medical diagnosis that would need to be made through a doctor or psychologist. My son has a 504 plan for dyslexia and ADD. The ADD diagnosis was made by a developmental pediatrician and the dyslexia diagnosis by a dyslexia tester. You arrange for the 504 by making an appointment with your principal and if for any reason they don’t cooperate, you can appeal through your district 504 coordinator. 504 plans are covered under federal disability law and unlike IEPs can continue into college or careers. </p>
<p>Once again this is our experience in CA and may be different where you are and if your teacher is suggesting going through your district, then that may be the way to go. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Psychologists are trained the same so the district’s testing will be fine. The district sometimes tries not to give accommodations (more work for them) but if you and your parents are proactive about insisting on the help you need, then you will be fine. Sometimes, the testing is mostly covered by health insurance if your family has medical coverage.</p>
<p>^ How come your school didn’t?
My school didn’t really either, although I’ve never actually been diagnosed, but I have talked to my school councelor about my anxiety issues, and what I can do to help with school work and what not. He never touched on the topic. I have a friend on it, and my English teacher had told me, but that’s it.</p>
<p>They do not tell you about it because having kids on 504 plans costs them more time and money due to administrative costs, visits with school/district psychologists, etc. Anxiety and LD’s often go hand in hand, especially undiagnosed LD’s.</p>
<p>First, you need to get diagnosed. There’s no way around that. Second, you need the psychiatrist to write something up and fill out some forms. Third, you can not be doing well in school…at least in my district. I wasn’t allowed to get a 504 plan for a physical disability because my GPA and rank were too high. Fourth, don’t be a senior. They won’t do **** for you then. Too much work for one year. (Even if you’re a junior this late in the year it’s pushing it)</p>
<p>Here grades don’t really matter. I personally know a few people on the program with great grades, so I’m not worried there, but all of your other things seem to hold true. Thank you so much.</p>
<p>a medical doctor (including psychiatrists) diagnose anxiety. school psychologists, typically, do not have diagnostic capabilities. obtaining a 504 plan requires documentation of the diagnosis AND evidence of how it impacts you in your educational setting. one without the other does not automatically guarantee you a 504 plan. college boards and universities typically are looking to see that there is evidence of this over time, which is why a lot of times, schools do not start this process in your junior year. if it is a problem at that time big enough to warrant special accomodations for college, then it was likely evident all along. make sure that process is started earlier so the appropriate documentation is in place. also bear in mind the difference between ensuring “equal opportunity for all” and “EVERY opportunity”. Do not expect that 504 plans are granted when there is not sufficient evidence that there is a need.</p>
<p>lala – I think you might be confusing school counselors, who might have a variety of different kinds of training, with a school psychologist. In the US, in order to be called a “psychologist” and to do clinical work with clients, such as a school psychologist would do, the person must have a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. with 1500 hours of pre and then 1500 more hours of post-doctoral supervised training. After that, the person must pass a state licensing exam. The psychologist’s education would include training in testing and diagnosis, and a school psychologist who couldn’t make a diagnosis of anxiety, or figure out the impact of that anxiety on the student’s academic progress, would not meet the standards of the profession. The primary people who do psycho-educational testing and make related diagnoses are licensed clinical or neuro-psychologists.</p>
<p>Now I’m a junior. My anxiety levels have substantially increased and my ability to cope has substantially decreased. I tried counseling, but all I could afford was with a local service that’s primarily marriage counseling. I have one more session left (I got it fully covered money wise, and feel bad requesting more help.) and feel like it’s made little difference regardless of my efforts. My counselor, even thought sincere, keeps saying it’ll get better in college. I’m not sure how I’m going to make it that long with how I feel as of lately.</p>
<p>I’ve given up on the testing. Everything costs too much. The school options really don’t fit my needs I’ve realized.</p>
<p>And in response to an earlier post about it being continuous, it has been to some degree, but the summer before my sophomore year one event triggered most of it. I can tell you the night I started spiraling and haven’t been able to figure out how to stop it. </p>
<p>Musicallylatin… it seems as though you are really struggling with this.
504 plans can be great, but sometimes school districts can get pretty stubborn about doing them, just 'cause it requires doing extra paperwork on their part.</p>
<p>This takes time, but I would say it may be worth a shot to fill out a medical assistance form, because they can really help to cover most, if not all (I think), in terms of psychiatric costs, including therpy visits, medication management, and other essentials.</p>
<p>(not meaning to gloat), but I do know a whole lot about how all this stuff works. if you want, you can PM me and I can tell you more about it .</p>
<p>please PM me :)</p>
<p>feel better. don’t let anyone invalidate your anxiety…it is real and unlike some people say, it can be very hard to deal with.</p>
