We requested a 504 meeting last week for our DS who is in 1st grade. The asst. principal called today to say the 504 coordinator would like permission to speak to DS's allergist. I said it's not a problem. I was told that I have to fill out a form consenting to letting the coordinator talk to the allergist. Again, I don't have a problem with it because we have full support of the allergist. In fact, I just met with him last week and he said he will help with anything I need and I can use him as leverage with the school. Has anyone encountered a request like this from their school? Anything we should be concerned about? Should I forewarn the allergist that they will be calling?
Thanks, as always, for the help and support!
Tracy
I have mixed feelings on this. Have you submitted a letter to them from your dr? In a way I feel that should be enough.
If your dr. convinces them to get with it and do what they have to then great. But I think I recall someone else here allowing their dr to talk to the school and they asked him if something like wearing gloves would cut down on contact reactions, the dr said yes, and that is what they wanted the child to do.
I guess I just wouldn't like them discussing my child without me present. It makes me feel like they are trying to weasel it out of him that you are making this up or something.
I don't know if this helps or not but there is just something that makes me a little nervous about it. Just my opinion and hopefully you will get some that are more informative.
I would invite the doctor to your next 504 meeting and discuss it in a group setting with all members. You might need to arrange the next meeting to his schedule providing he is willing. Our doctor was willing although it didn't pan out due to scheduling issues. Be sure to meet with him prior to the meeting to discuss your views.
The allergist did in fact write a letter. I'm hoping that they are just verifying the facts is all. I was told that the district has never done a 504 for food allergies. I had an hour long talk w/the allergist last week and he is very much aware of the situation and knows the school is not cooperating. He said plain and simple that they need to keep Brandon away from peanuts and nuts - period. I think I better most definitely have a chat with him before they call so they don't try to be sneaky.
As far as having the allergist attend the 504 meeting, gosh, I don't know. Is it too much to ask? That's a tough one.
I hope they are not trying to pull any garbage. I just have to remember, the law is on our side.
Tracy
We signed a consent form allowing the school to talk to the allergist but they never called.
I would talk with the allergist first to let them know and have the allergist do all conversations in writing. See if the allergist would allow them to "talk " that way and ask him to inform you before he informs the school about any communication. This way its all documented.
Its been my expereince, the school is often up to garbage. My school pulled something like this. They faxed a 4 page plan to the allergist and asked him to sign off on it. They used tricky legal babble and he signed off not realizing what they really meant. When I told the allergist the school tricked him he was less than happy. He happily fired off several well worded letters that sealed the deal in my favor.
Cover your heard, I hear a garbage can rattling.
Personally, I would be extremely leery of authorizing this.
Have you posted you allergist's letter, bandbmom? If not, would you?
My allegist had spoken with my school board and head nurses prior to my first visit- so I am lucky to have a willing doctor to root us on by going the extra mile. He offered to talk again and help with training the head staff on Epi-pen/ signs of exposure/ ER plans etc. He is very willing to educate and promote awareness- one of the reasons I choose him (first question I asked during my consultation.) Ironically, with having to deal with other patients in the same game and the school board- he wasn't aware of 504 plans until I mentioned it.
It wouldn't hurt to ask the doctor his feelings on attending a meeting. You never know, you might pave the way for others to follow and that might benefit more people in dr's practice. I realize it can be ackward.
Just sharing my experience.
I would speak to the allergist first about this, then proceed possible to a conference call with you, the 504 coordinator, and the allergist.
I would not want to be left out of the loop with what is being discussed regarding my child.
I would want to be in the room with the people from the school while they are on a speaker phone with the allergist. That way you can get a better feel of how they are digesting what he is saying. You will then have the opportunity to stop the conversation & veer it back on track if you see it derailing. Or stop him and ask him or them to re-explain themselves if you see that deer in the headlights look. Or you can just plain stop them if you see them rolling their eyes.
I am VERY lucky, we love our allergist, and we are having incredible luck in getting along with our school. But I still wouldn't want them discussing my child's health without me around - just my gut feeling.
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Sherlyn
Mom to 6 year old twins Ben & Mike - one PA & the other not.
Stay Informed And Peanut Free!
Gail W. asked that I post the allergist's letter to the principal. Here's what the letter says:
Dr. Mr. B:
Brandon has been a patient at the Allergy and Asthma Center since July of 2005. He has been diagnosed with peanut allergy on the basis of prior clinical reactions confirmed by skin testing for IgE antibody. Brandon also suffers from episodic bronchial asthma. Brandon should be considered at high risk for a possible fatal food allergy reaction and therefore should be in an environment wherein potential exposures to peanut allergen are strictly controlled. While an EpiPen Junior should always be available for the treatment of a reaction following an unattended exposure, prevention is the best treatment for Brandon. It is medically necessary for Brandon to be in an environment where the risk of exposure to peanut allergen is substantially reduced. With proper interventions and preventions, Brandon will do well in school and can be expected to participate in most activities without risk.
Thank you for participating in Brandon's Care.
Sincerely,
Dr. D
bandbmom- Just curious... are you asking for your school to go peanut free?
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