Bipolar Disorder and IEP's by Amanda Windom

Bipolar disorder diagnosis in youth (under 20 years of age) drastically increased in less than ten years. A comprehensive study published by Archives of General Psychiatry found that in 1994-1995 twenty-five per 100,000 office based visits for youth resulted in bipolar diagnosis.  By 2002-2003 that number had risen to 1003 per 100,000 and experts say that by now it has almost certainly risen more.  Some experts believe that greater awareness is allowing kids access to treatment, while others feel the disorder is being over diagnosed reports The New York Times.

The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation(CABF) explains how bipolar disorder in children may vary from that in adults.  For example, as opposed to having marked changes in mood and energy as adults do, children often have ongoing mood disturbance that is a mix of mania and depression.  Children with bipolar disorder are entitled to special education and an IEP if the disorder affects their ability to be educated.  The IEP should reflect supports necessary when the child is experiencing symptoms as well as when the child is relatively well.  Some necessary accommodations may include  an extra set of books at home, unlimited access to water fountain and bathroom, small class size, a one-on-one aide for assistance, or reduction in homework.  Click on the link for CABF for a more comprehensive listing of accommodations.

The Bipolar Child is a book written by Demitri Papolos, M.D. and Janice Papolos.  Included in the book is a mock IEP which can be accessed on their web site.  This mock IEP serves as a reminder that an IEP should not only incorporate educational goals, but must also include goals related to a child's social and emotional development.  This is critically important for bipolar children.  Another excellent resource for developing an IEP for a bipolar child is from the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation.  This site includes a listing of symptoms that children may experience and accommodations that may assist them in overcoming these challenges.  Most of the accommodations listed could easily be converted into IEP goals and benchmarks. 

More and more children are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at earlier ages.  These children have a legal right to special education services that are appropriate to their needs.  IEP goals must be based on real life skills including educational and social development to help these students to have effective outcomes.

Comments

[Shira Raider]

Charles, Amanda, I read the blog through RSS feed, and often find it a source of valuable information.

Thanks you for linking to CABF. I hope your readers find our resources helpful.

Regards,
Shira
CABF Webmaster

[r wells]

When will special ed actually revolve around the students it is meant to serve? Sped teachers are the most over-regulated, over-worked, over-tested teachers that exist. It's time to stop the red tape that dominates sped.

[Sherry]

I am helping a 4th grader who has OCD and bipolar get qualified for special education services. The district won't consider him under OHI but under ED. He doesn't have any behavioral/discipline difficulties in the classroom. Why are they doing this and how do I get him qualifed under a more accurate criteria?

[cms]

I have a son who just turned 10 the very end of Jan. He is in a special school,has an I.E.P. all types of evals since age 4, was in an early intervention program...Long story short, in this school he hits, he hits other students and adults as well, has been doing this for some time, well since he turned 10 they had the right to file charges, and did, aggravated assault,simple assault and harassment and the police came to the school, removed him, cuffed him and took him to a detention center, without even calling me, he is diag. Bi polar, adhd,social/emotional, impulse disorder ect. I feel like this is so wrong, i put him on a bus at 7 am Wed. i didn't see him again until Friday at a video hearing...I am a mess and don't know my and most important his rights, can anyone help?

[BP Parent]

Sherry--I used to work with an attorney who advised not to worry particularly about the label, as long as they are identified. The label should dictate neither the LRE nor the services. That said, I did succeed in keeping my son's label as SLD for a number of years despite his diagnosis of bipolar. The district was divided into those resource rooms for SLD students and those for ED students. The reality is that the behaviors in the ED rooms are worse. So, while I understand, I would still think that the best course is to accept the label, but then fight for an appropriate setting and services. If the kid does not have behavioral indicators (and if successfully medicated, this may well be true) you have a good case for maintaining him in a regular classroom with services/accommodations. At least according to the law.

cms. My heart is with you because I have been there. Please find a lawyer to talk to who knows something about special education law. I would think that they need to try to refocus on whether the IEP was adequate to deal with the behavioral aspects of his disorders (clearly not, or they wouldn't be hauling him off to JD). Have they ever done a Functional Behavioral Assessment (helps to uncover the reasons underlying the behavior--in order to make a plan that will teach more appropriate responses or reshape the environment to remove triggers, etc)? At this point you have a right to request this. Ask the court to appoint an attorney if needed.