united-states education missouri
What restrictions is a teacher under when they suspect a student of having ADHD?
<p><strong>TL;DR;</strong> I'm trying to validate my son's teacher saying &quot;As a teacher, I can't even say ADHD.&quot; Is a teacher really that restricted?</p>
<p>Long version:</p>
<p>We have been dealing with a teacher who has (from our perspective) been resistant to getting him tested for academic delays. When we finally called her out on it, she mentioned that she has long suspected he may have ADHD, but couldn't say anything. She actually gave us the above quote.</p>
<p>I've got several sub-questions, but the overarching question in the title is the same. What restrictions are on a teacher in regards to a student they suspect of having some disorder such as ADHD? I know a teacher can't diagnose ADHD, they aren't a doctor. Can a teacher mention that they suspect ADHD? Can a teacher recommend that the student be screened for various issues (even avoiding mentioning any particular disorder)? Can a teacher suggest a student be screened by a specialist?</p>

<p>There is no specific statute in Missouri that prohibits a teacher from saying &quot;ADHD&quot;. There is a specific federal statute that obligates the school district to make accommodations if a student is diagnosed with ADHD (also a state law). A teacher is not technically qualified to diagnose ADHD. Finally, the teacher is an employee of the school district and is required to follow the policies of the district. Those are the 4 legal cornerstones on which the teachers response must rest. The unquestionably weakest cornerstone is understanding the realities of district policy.</p>
<p>There may be district-policy type reasons that motivate reticence to recommend testing, but such &quot;abundance of caution&quot; is not motivated by a legal mandate imposed on the teacher, it is more likely to be the result of a fear of reprisals (for triggering extra expenditures by the district). Such a fear is not legally warranted, except insofar as if you don't know what the law says (many people don't), fear is a kind of reasonable response. But ignorance of the law is no excuse.</p>
<p>It might be useful to know that it is <a href="https://www.additudemag.com/10-myths-about-special-ed-services/" rel="noreferrer"><em>not</em> required to get a doctors diagnosis of ADHD</a>, so the teacher's evaluation might carry more weight that you would expect, were that a requirement.</p>
