It's a parent's nightmare—a phone call from the principal's office telling you that your child has been disciplined for some misconduct. And it doesn't matter whether they've received an in-class detention or the police were called, the natural response is to ask the child, “What did you do?”

However, if you're the parent of a neurodivergent child, you should ask:

• Have the staff and faculty been trained on how to meet their neurodivergent students' needs?
• Why didn't the school prevent the situation from happening?
• What could the school officials have done to stop the event from escalating?
• How would they have handled a neurotypical child's similar misconduct?

Because schools are required to follow educational plans to help special-needs children succeed, and that obligation isn't limited to academics. They're also supposed to foster these children's social and behavioral development. 

Furthermore, public schools can't discipline a child in a way that interferes with their legal right to a free and appropriate education.

That's why, if your child has been unduly punished due to their neurodivergence, call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.

Neurodivergent Students May Vary in Diagnoses, But They Share Common Problems at School

While the term “neurodivergent” is a broad term that covers children with ADHD, autism, and other cognitive and psychological conditions, studies show that, once in school, neurocognitive children often share common problems.

The neurodivergent are frequently socially isolated and bullied, and teachers themselves are some of the bullies.

Teachers may give neurodivergent kids less effective feedback and praise than the children need, and these kids are more likely to be disciplined than neurotypical children.

Department of Education researchers found that children attending school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program bear the brunt of school discipline. For example, while they only make up 17% of school populations, they consist of 75% of in-school seclusions and 81% of incidents where students were physically restrained.

Children with special needs are disproportionately more likely to be suspended, expelled, referred to law enforcement, and arrested.

Neurodivergent Girls May Be Especially Disadvantaged

According to a study published in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, teachers often mislabel girls' neurodivergent activities as gendered, neurotypical behaviors—albeit negative ones.

As the researchers explained, girls with ADHD may be scolded for being chatty and disruptive. They are punished for “defiance” or “daydreaming.”

The result is that neurodivergent girls may be more likely to be disciplined and less likely to get the support they need.

How the LLF National Law Firm Can Help Your Children Get the Education They Deserve

You may be wondering how your child failed at school. But the LLF National Law Firm is here when the school failed your child.

Our team has successfully represented students accused of a wide variety of infractions.

And you do have recourse. It's the school's responsibility to take remedial actions if discipline has negatively impacted your child's ability to receive their education.

So call us today. The LLF National Law Firm has the experience you need. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential online form.