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Provider with cardiac patient

Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Program

How to Ask for Help If Your Child is Having Problems at School

Call 202-476-6867
Provider with cardiac patient

Scheduling the Meeting with the School Team

  1. Write a letter to the principal and special education coordinator/chairperson of your child’s school. Ask for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. In an IEP meeting, you will discuss with the school staff the problems your child is experiencing in school and discuss how your child can be helped. (Keep a copy of the letter for your records.)
  2. Contact the school if you have not received a meeting date within 10 days.
  3. Keep a folder with all important documents.

During the Meeting with the School Team

  1. Describe your child’s strengths and the problems he or she is having in school.
  2. Share your child’s schoolwork.
  3. Share any correspondence with your child’s teacher(s) like phone calls or emails.
  4. Tell the school team that your child has congenital heart disease (CHD), and possible problems with learning and attention. Provide copies of outside evaluations and reports.
  5. Ask that your child be evaluated for special education services.
  6. Ask that your child be given a 504 plan with accommodations while the evaluation is being done.

If the school will not evaluate your child or put 504 accommodations in place, contact the Parent Training Information Center or Parent Resource Center in your state.

Contact Information

For further assistance, contact our Education Specialist, Wanda Rankin, M.Ed., at 202-476-5870.