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Resource for student and parents

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How to cope with anxiety | Olivia Remes | TEDxUHasselt

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How an eating disorder affects the way a person thinks

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What to know.

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Depression

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Website provides information on variety of disorders.

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The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders

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This is a great resource for parents to help with eating disorder. The document was created by National Eating Disorder Association.

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Assists in providing vital information on Eating Disorders and can be useful for parents or students.

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Contact for High School Counselors in Area

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The Willis High School Counselors are a group of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals, here to help students with all aspects of high school life, from course selection, to college and career counseling and family and peer relationships. Counselors are listed below with contact information.

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The Willis High School Counselors are a group of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals, here to help students with all aspects of high school life, from course selection, to college and career counseling and family and peer relationships. Counselors are listed below with contact information.

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The Conroe Independent School District (District) is an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters.

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Offers a transitional living program for young people who have aged out of foster care a safe, temporary residence.

Housing Applications are made by appointment with a Youth Advocate at Community Youth Outreach at 729 North Frazier in Conroe.Call 936-262-0186 to schedule an appointment.

24 HR Crisis Line:

1-800-551-1300

Serves males and females ages 13-17 years old. Pays for plane tickets for transportation.

CIRT (Crisis Intervention Response Team)

Any of our counselors can either call 911 or Tri-County at 936-538-1102 to request the CIRT team.

It's a team of a mental health clinician from Tri-County and the Conroe Police department. They assist with matters that require the assistance of both mental health workers and the police for any and all safety concerns. They do respond together.

Available 7 days a week from 10:30 am - 10:30 pm

1111 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

713-523-2231

Provide shelter for homeless, abused and abandoned youth ages 18 - 20

East TX Dream Center Shelter

Offers housing shelter for women and children but need to commit to fill out an application and go through a 24 hour process. Clients cannot own/have a cell phone or vehicle.

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 5pm

Freedom Place

281-572-2300

Serves victims of sex trafficking female ages 9-17 years old.

1005 MLK (Avenue F) Huntsville, TX 77320

936-291-8156

It's a faith based basic needs program that provides food, clothing, emergency shelter, and counseling.

Interfaith Community Clinic

Non-emergency medical and dental for uninsured

By appointment only

Assistance for low income families; sliding scale fee (must fill out an application)

Application start time - 8am, only accept the first 13 applicants.

Martin Luther King Jr. Center

Food pantry (cash & food accepted)

Limited homeless shelter.

Showers & clean clothes to the homeless.

Hot food daily to the hungry.

Montgomery County Hospital District

Doctor's visits, dental / vision service, mental service, help pay for prescriptions

Monday - Thursday

7:30 am - 4:30 PM

Montgomery County Women's Center

Conroe Location: 1401 Airport Rd, Conroe, TX 77301

Crisis Line 936-441-7273

The Woodlands Location:

1600 Lake Front Cir #100, Spring, TX 77380

281-292-4155

A 24-hour hotline, safe shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and legal services to survivors of family violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Northwest Assistant Ministries

Basic needs program *must have an emergency of loss of income within the preceding 45 days. Only for Harris County Residents

The appointment line is open from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Refuge Trauma Center

3513 N Frazier St, Conroe, TX 77303

(936) 648-5379

Offers family and individual counseling (specializes with military vets dealing with PTSD)

Montgomery County Youth Services

105 West Lewis St,

Conroe, Texas

(936)756-8682

(888)756-8682

Family and crisis counseling, free of charge, runaway, suicide prevention

Open 24 Hours

Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center

Medical Plaza 1

1120 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 250

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

(713)897-5938

(832)298-6262

Offers support to families/youth with a loved one with cancer

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Offers a transitional living program for young people who have aged out of foster care a safe, temporary residence. Housing Applications are made by appointment with a Youth Advocate at Community Youth Outreach at 729 North Frazier in Conroe.Call 936-262-0186 to schedule an appointment.

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Family Healthcare & Doctors | Conroe, Spring & Willis Texas

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Mental Health and Behavioral Health We deliver high quality, comprehensive health care to families and individuals in our community. To this end, we are keenly aware that mental health is vital to overall well-being in a complex and fast-changing world. Our licensed staff counselors provide individual, family and group therapy for mental and behavioral health challenges.

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Aspire Hospital provides Behavioral Health Services to adults, age 18 and above, in need of immediate intervention and treatment. Whether an initial or isolated acute episode of thought or behavior; or, an exacerbation or flare up of a chronic disorder, we have a team of caring, experienced and skilled medical and mental health professionals available 24/7.

Our facility is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, fully accredited by The Joint Commission since 2009, and certified by Medicare with deemed status.

We have served the Montgomery, Walker and surrounding counties since 2009.

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Aspire Hospital provides Behavioral Health Services to adults, age 18 and above, in need of immediate intervention and treatment. Whether an initial or isolated acute episode of thought or behavior; or, an exacerbation or flare up of a chronic disorder, we have a team of caring, experienced and skilled medical and mental health professionals available 24/7.

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Informational video about Conduct Disorder

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Disruptive, impulse control, and conduct disorders

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Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders

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Shows the different ways to support child's mental health.

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Both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans can offer formal help for K-12 students who are struggling in school. They're similar in some ways but very different in others. This chart compares them side by side to help you understand the differences.

A blueprint or plan for a child's special education experience at school.

A blueprint or plan for how the school will provide support and remove barriers for a student with a disability.

To get an IEP, there are two requirements: A child has one or more of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA. The law lists specific challenges, like learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and others. And the disability must affect the child's educational performance and/or ability to learn and benefit from the general education curriculum. The child must need specialized instruction to make progress in school.

To get a 504 plan, there are two requirements: A child has any disability. Section 504 covers a wide range of different struggles in school. And the disability must interfere with the child's ability to learn in a general education classroom. Section 504 has a broader definition of a disability than IDEA. (It says a disability must substantially limit one or more basic life activities. This can include learning, reading, communicating, and thinking.) That's why a child who doesn't qualify for an IEP might still be able to get a 504 plan.

There are strict legal requirements about who participates. With a few exceptions, the entire IEP team must be present for IEP meetings. The team must include:

The rules about who's on the 504 team are less specific than they are for an IEP. A 504 plan is created by a team of people who are familiar with the child and who understand the evaluation data and special services options. This might include:

* The child's parent or caregiver

* General and special education teachers

* The school principal

* The child's parent or caregiver

* At least one of the child's general education teachers

* At least one special education teacher

* A school psychologist or other specialist who can interpret evaluation results

* A district representative with authority over special education services

The IEP sets learning goals and describes the services the school will provide. It's a written document. Here are some of the most important things the IEP must include:

There is no standard 504 plan. Unlike an IEP, a 504 plan doesn't have to be a written document. A 504 plan generally includes the following:

* Specific accommodations, supports, or services for the child

* Names of who will provide each service

* Name of the person responsible for ensuring the plan is implemented

* The child's present levels of academic and functional performance - how the child is currently doing in school

* Annual education goals for the child and how the school will track progress

* The services the child will get - this may include special education, related, supplementary, and extended school year services

* The timing of services - when they start, how often they occur, and how long they last

* Any accommodations - changes to the child's learning environment

* Any modifications - changes to what the child is expected to learn or know

* How the child will participate in standardized tests

* How the child will be included in general education classes and school activities

When the school wants to change a child's services or placement, it has to tell families in writing before the change. This is called prior written notice. Notice is also required for any IEP meetings and evaluations. Families also have "stay put" rights to keep services in place while there's a disagreement about the IEP.

The school must notify families about an evaluation or a "significant change" in placement. Notice doesn't have to be in writing, but most schools do so anyway.

How to resolve disputes

IDEA gives families several ways to resolve disputes (usually in this order):

Section 504 gives families several options for resolving disagreements with the school:

* Mediation

* Alternative dispute resolution

* Impartial hearing

* Complaint to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

* Lawsuit

* Mediation

* Due process complaint

* Resolution session

* Civil lawsuit

* State complaint

* Lawsuit

And if you need help navigating special education law in your state, consider reaching out to your local Parent Training and Information Center. The people there can answer questions and give practical advice on issues specific to your area.

Do you want to learn more about how IEPs and 504 plans compare? Watch as an expert explains the differences between them.

About the author

About the author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Andrew M.I. Lee, JD is an editor and attorney who strives to help people understand complex legal, education, and parenting issues.

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IEP vs. 504 Plan: What's the Difference?

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Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans are similar but different. See how they compare in what they provide and the processes and laws involved.

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What a counselor needs to remember about their role.

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What Is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a medical condition. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. ADHD can affect a child at school, at home, and in friendships.

What Are the Signs of ADHD?

All kids struggle at times to pay attention, listen and follow directions, sit still, or wait their turn. But for kids with ADHD, the struggles are harder and happen more often.

Kids with ADHD can show signs in any or all these areas:

Inattentive. Kids who are inattentive (easily distracted) have trouble focusing their attention, concentrating, and staying on task. They may not listen well to directions, may miss important details, and may not finish what they start. They may daydream or dawdle too much. They may seem absent-minded or forgetful, and lose track of their things.

Hyperactive. Kids who are hyperactive are fidgety, restless, and easily bored. They may have trouble sitting still, or staying quiet when needed. They may rush through things and make careless mistakes. They may climb, jump, or roughhouse when they shouldn't. Without meaning to, they may act in ways that disrupt others.

Impulsive. Kids who are impulsive act too quickly before thinking. They often interrupt, might push or grab, and find it hard to wait. They may do things without asking for permission, take things that aren't theirs, or act in ways that are risky. They may have emotional reactions that seem too intense for the situation.

Sometimes parents and teachers notice signs of ADHD when a child is very young. But it's normal for little kids to be distracted, restless, impatient, or impulsive - these things don't always mean that a child has ADHD.

Attention, activity, and self-control develop little by little, as children grow. Kids learn these skills with help from parents and teachers. But some kids don't get much better at paying attention, settling down, listening, or waiting. When these things continue and begin to cause problems at school, home, and with friends, it may be ADHD.

What Causes ADHD?

It's not clear what causes the brain differences of ADHD. There's strong evidence that ADHD is mostly inherited. Many kids who have ADHD have a parent or relative with it. Kids also can be more at risk for it if they were born early, are exposed to environmental toxins, or their mothers used drugs during pregnancy.

ADHD is not caused by too much screen time, poor parenting, or eating too much sugar.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

If you think your child has ADHD, make an appointment with your child's doctor. They will do a checkup, including a vision and hearing check, to be sure something else isn't causing the symptoms.

To diagnose ADHD, doctors start by asking about a child's health, behavior, and activity. They talk with parents and kids about the things they have noticed. Your doctor might ask you to complete checklists about your child's behavior, and might ask you to give your child's teacher a checklist too.

After gettng this information, doctors diagnose ADHD if it's clear that:

A child's trouble with paying attention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity go beyond what's usual for their age.

The behaviors have been going on since the child was young.

The behaviors affect the child at school and at home.

A health check shows that another health or learning issue isn't causing the problems.

Many kids with ADHD also have learning problems, oppositional and defiant behaviors, or mood and anxiety problems. Doctors usually treat these along with the ADHD.

The doctor can refer you to a child psychologist or psychiatrist, if needed.

How Is ADHD Treated?

Treatment for ADHD usually includes:

Medicine. This activates the brain's ability to pay attention, slow down, and use more self-control.

Behavior therapy. Therapists can help kids develop the social, emotional, and planning skills that are lagging with ADHD.

Parent coaching. Through coaching, parents learn the best ways to respond to behavior problems that are part of ADHD.

School support. Teachers can help kids with ADHD do well and enjoy school more.

The right treatment helps ADHD improve. Parents and teachers can teach younger kids to get better at managing their attention, behavior, and emotions. As they grow older, kids should learn to improve their own attention and self-control.

When ADHD is not treated, it can be hard for kids to succeed. This may lead to low self-esteem, depression, oppositional behavior, school failure, risk-taking behavior, or family conflict.

How Can Parents Help?

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD:

Be involved. Learn all you can about ADHD. Follow the treatment your child's health care provider recommends. Go to all recommended therapy visits.

Give medicines safely. If your child is taking ADHD medicine, always give it at the recommended time and dose. Keep medicines in a safe place.

Work with your child's school. Ask teachers if your child should have an IEP or 504 plan. Meet often with teachers to find out how your child is doing. Work together to help your child do well

Parent with purpose and warmth. Learn what parenting approaches are best for a child with ADHD - and which can make ADHD worse. Talk openly and supportively about ADHD with your child. Focus on your child's strengths and positive qualities.

Connect with others for support and awareness. Join a support group like CHADD for ADHD to get updates on treatment and other information.

ADHD can improve when kids get treatment, eat healthy food, get enough sleep and exercise, and have supportive parents who know how to respond to ADHD.

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ADHD is a common medical condition that can affect kids at school, at home, and in friendships. Learn more about ADHD and how to help kids get the best diagnosis and care.