Manifestation Determination Review ADHD
Introduction
If your child with ADHD faces a suspension or expulsion, you may hear the school mention a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR). For many parents, this term feels confusing, technical, and intimidating. But an MDR is actually one of your strongest legal protections.
In short: an MDR is a formal process that ensures your child isn’t unfairly punished for behavior directly linked to ADHD or for failures by the school to follow the IEP/504 Plan.
This guide breaks down what an MDR is, when it’s required, and how parents can prepare to protect their child’s rights.
What Is a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)?
A required meeting when a student with a disability (including ADHD) faces more than 10 consecutive days of suspension or an expulsion.
The school, parents, and IEP/504 team gather to decide if the behavior:
Was caused by or directly related to the student’s disability, OR
Resulted from the school’s failure to implement the IEP/504 Plan.
If the answer to either question is “yes,” then the behavior is considered a manifestation of the disability.
Why MDRs Matter for ADHD
ADHD behaviors — impulsivity, emotional outbursts, difficulty following instructions — are often misunderstood as “defiance” or “willful misbehavior.” Without the MDR process, children with ADHD would be unfairly removed from classrooms for symptoms of their condition.
MDRs force schools to ask: Was this behavior really misbehavior, or was it a result of ADHD?
When an MDR Must Happen
After 10 consecutive school days of suspension.
After a pattern of suspensions that adds up to more than 10 days.
Before an expulsion can take effect.
Parents should be notified in writing, and the MDR must take place within 10 school days of the decision to change the child’s placement.
Who Attends an MDR?
Parents/guardians (critical).
IEP or 504 team members (special education teacher, general education teacher).
School administrator.
Psychologist or counselor (sometimes).
Advocates or attorneys (parents may bring their own support).
The Key Questions
During the MDR, the team asks:
Was the behavior caused by, or did it have a direct and substantial relationship to, the student’s ADHD?
Example: A student impulsively shouts in class — impulsivity is a hallmark of ADHD.
Was the behavior the direct result of the school’s failure to implement the IEP/504 Plan?
Example: The IEP required movement breaks, but the school didn’t provide them, leading to a meltdown.
If the answer to either is yes, the discipline (suspension/expulsion) cannot go forward in the usual way.
Outcomes of an MDR
If Behavior Was a Manifestation of ADHD
The school cannot expel or long-term suspend the child.
The IEP/504 Plan must be reviewed and revised to address the behavior.
The student must remain in a placement that allows them to continue receiving services.
If Behavior Was Not a Manifestation
The student may face disciplinary consequences like other students.
However, the school must still provide access to education (not just send them home indefinitely).
How Parents Can Prepare for an MDR
Gather Documentation
Medical reports of ADHD diagnosis.
Notes from therapists or doctors.
Records of IEP/504 implementation.
Bring Evidence of Patterns
Show how impulsivity, inattention, or emotional regulation struggles align with the behavior.
Ask: Was the IEP Followed?
If supports weren’t provided, argue the behavior was the result of the school’s failure.
Bring an Advocate if Needed
Advocates or attorneys can ensure the meeting stays on track.
Stay Calm and Focused
Schools may frame behavior as “defiance.” Your role is to connect it clearly to ADHD symptoms.
FAQs
Q: Can my child still be suspended during the MDR process?
Yes, short-term suspensions may happen while the MDR is pending.
Q: What if I disagree with the MDR decision?
You can request mediation or file a due process complaint.
Q: Does my child lose services during a suspension?
No. Schools must continue providing educational services during suspensions longer than 10 days.
Q: What if my child doesn’t yet have an IEP or 504?
If ADHD is suspected, you can request an evaluation. Protections may still apply if the school “should have known” about the disability.
Final Word
Manifestation Determination Reviews may sound bureaucratic, but they’re one of the most important safeguards for children with ADHD. They ensure that discipline doesn’t unfairly punish kids for behaviors tied to their disability or for schools failing to follow support plans.
As a parent, your voice matters most in the MDR. Come prepared, stay firm, and remember — the law is on your side.
👉 While the school handles discipline, parents still face emotional challenges at home. That’s why we created Bonding Health — quick, rewards-based tools that help kids and parents manage emotions daily, reducing the chance of school meltdowns in the first place. Learn more here.
