30 Arco Day Ged New

Q: My daughter is a junior in high school. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. We've explored a lot of alternatives but haven't found anything that has had a lasting effect in improving her symptoms. Instead, she continues to get worse. She is an honor student but has reached the point where, while she can follow what goes on in class, she cannot keep up with the work. We've worked with the school to develop various accommodations, first under 504 and then as "special education, other health impaired." Now college is coming. The school has suggested that she audit all her classes and get a GED instead, to remove a lot of the pressure and to be able to devote more time to finding a regimen that keeps her symptoms stable. It would also let her sit in on AP classes that she can't consider now because there's too much work each day. The idea has promise, but we're concerned about the implications on college admissions and scholarships, and what kind of accommodations would be possible once she's admitted. She's looking at some pretty competitive schools. What we're gathering is that admission may be less of a problem than functioning once she's there. The kinds of accommodations she's getting now are not all available in college. One stumbling block is that a lot of the top schools are geared to full-time students. If she's not up for a full class-load by then, we need a school that also welcomes part-time students who pay by the credit. We haven't looked into scholarships much but assume that there are quite a few that depend on GPA or class rank, neither of which she would have if she goes the GED route. Does anyone have experience with these issues, or have any suggestions on what to do or where else to look? We need to make some decisions pretty soon.

A:I can see where there's been a few propblems already. First off, the school has no business advising anyone to get a GED. A GED may be the only option for those that have passed the maximum age for public-paid education, but if she has not passed that age yet the school, I assume it's a public school, is OBLIGATED to work with you and her on finishing her education. There are a number of federal laws that state that. Second, get everything in writing. Today is far different thatn long ago when a man's word was as good as gold. Now it's more like the opposite. I say look in the phone book for several groups that I fell can help you a lot. 1:

A: R.C.; They are called Advocacy Resource Coalition for the Developmentally Disadvantaged (some say Disabled). They used to go by the name Association for Retatded Citizens, but that has changed as the number of people that are developmentally disadvantaged isn't necessarily retarded anymore. Hey, I had to ask for their help when I was a kid, and trust me, I AIN'T RETARDED. They help people that have difficulties such as what your daughter is experiencing. 2: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; It's a state government agency that receives both state and federal funding. And yes they can help. If she can hold a job someday, they can help. But at the same time, be very picky on the rehab counselor you get. I think you know the routine- bad apples, etc.

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