Suppose you have an IEP or 504 plan all set up, you have found the right facility, and you are ecstatic that your child has access to the proper facilities. Then, after several days, you receive word that your child won’t use those accommodations.
Most parents would wonder why their child responded this way. It is quite normal for this to occur, and there are several reasons why. Here are some of the reasons why your child might be refusing to use the accommodations set up for them.
Blending In
Being a child without learning disabilities is hard enough. Just like the other kids, your child is looking to fit in and belong. They already feel different, and adding special accommodations makes them stand out more.
These accommodations may call for them to be pulled out of class at given times, which makes them visible to everyone. For some children, this is too much, and they would just rather tough it out with the rest of the class than using the accommodations.
Avoiding Reactions
These accommodations are set up to give the student the assistance they need to be on a level playing field with their classmates. Even though this is the case, other students may feel that the accommodated child has an unfair advantage.
This can leave the student worried about what their peers will say. To keep from the comments and reactions, they opt to refuse to use the accommodations they need.
Something Is Wrong
If the child came from a situation where they didn’t have this accommodation, they might have become accustomed to school being hard. Then, once they start using the accommodations and see the improvement, they may feel like they are taking some shortcuts.
This tool is new to them, and they have yet to learn that it is only there to help them retain knowledge and be able to deliver their work in the same manner as the rest of their class.
Trouble Admitting They Need Help
As an adult, it is sometimes hard to ask for help or express how we feel about something. Being a kid elevates that difficulty tenfold.
The student may not know how to ask to use the accommodations available to them when they need them. This could be because they are shy or don’t want to look like they know better than the teacher, so they don’t ask.
Concluding Thoughts
These are just some of the most common reasons why your child may be refusing to use the accommodations given to them through an IEP or 504 plan. The best way to figure out the cause is to communicate with them and figure out the reason.
Doing this will help them overcome the hurdle and confidently use the services to allow them to succeed in their schoolwork.
