Testing Delayed

[notsmartmark]

Schools are not responsible to rule out. We cannot fish for disabilities. Individuals raise complaints, those complaints are reviewed and evaluation is developed from the list of commplaints. If, during the evaluation process, testing indicates further eval, then you follow that.

And you always look for the simplelist answer given the complaints. I never said it wasn't Asperger's; I said be careful. Why, It was the first couple statements from a mom and this board is cheering her on to a very rare, especially in girls - somewhere from between 4/10,000 - 15/10,000 diagnosis. I didn't say it was or wasn't anything.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Then you do not understand the special education process.
Mom is indicated that they are in the referral process, the process to determine if evaluation is necessary. During the referral process the goal is to indicate the chief complaints. Mom has indicated her complaints within a rambling list of school procedural concerns. My attempt was to help her weed out the procedural problems and list her complaints. These complaints do not preclude testing, they help identify necessary testing during the evaluation period. That is the appropriate process.

I understand the process all to well being a qualified expert witness to provide assessment. I have landmark cases to my credit and am published.

OP related her discussion with the school psychologist that sent up a red flag that the psychologist is looking to pass the child off with minimal testing as ADD/ADHD and already guessing that the child will test in normal range. This was further compounded by the fact that the psychologist didn't want the parents to have the report prior to IEP so the parents would be ready to have informed input. Under these circumstances I would be cautious how the assessment is conducted, that it be thorough and appropriate and this list of observations might tempt the school psychologist, who may or may not be qualified, to make a diagnosis without adequate testing because the time is short and late in the year. FSIQ alone is a poor indicator of some disorders, as the relation between PIQ/VIQ and individual tests may tell a different story. It is wise to give several tests to determin the functional cause.

I don't want to see this 7 yo child miss an adequate assessment that they should have had several years ago along with early intervention.

 

[Obnoxious1]

Schools are not responsible to rule out. We cannot fish for disabilities. Individuals raise complaints, those complaints are reviewed and evaluation is developed from the list of commplaints. If, during the evaluation process, testing indicates further eval, then you follow that.

And you always look for the simplelist answer given the complaints. I never said it wasn't Asperger's; I said be careful. Why, It was the first couple statements from a mom and this board is cheering her on to a very rare, especially in girls - somewhere from between 4/10,000 - 15/10,000 diagnosis. I didn't say it was or wasn't anything.

Which is why everyone suggested she talk to her doctor and specifically mention what has been presented.

I have a rare blood disorder, hemochromatosis, my body stores too much iron.

For years I suffered symptoms but was never tested for it because I did not fit the standard profile of a person who would have the condition. I was a 23 year young woman who was having children. Most people who suffer from iron overload are middle aged men.

You cannot ignore symptoms just because its rare, to do so can be dangerous to the person with the symptoms. In my case it could have been deadly if I had not happened upon someone who recognized it and told me what to ask my doctor about.

In this situation rmet is alerting the poster to a possability, if she is correct it will save the mother and the child years of hurt and frustration. If she is incorrect it hurts nothing to have her checked. An ASD diagnosis is not easy to obtain, it isn't like ADDHD, although many with aspergers suffer through that wrong diagnosis and do not ever get what they really need. It takes a team of experts to diagnose and still many cases are missed because it is one diagnosis that is not handled lightly.

If she raises that valid concern to her doctor then her education can be taken in the direction that is most needed for her. If she ignores the suggestion because of your attack on rmet then the child could be needlessly treated for a host of conditions which she does not have.

 

[tigger22472]

Just giving you a thumbs up from another spectrum mom

Too often their symptoms are hidden by wrong diagnosis and our children suffer needlessly. I'm glad that your son is on the right track.

Not oly are the symptoms hidden but the stigma is horrible. When you hear the word Autism unless you research you are devistated and there is a belief that Autism is the end of the world and how will this child ever function!! I look at it as a positive. Every person in this world has their strengths and weaknesses... why should someone with Autism be any different? Reality is in many, many cases, those strengths are ...well... Awesome. I mean my son has got the 'Best Speller' award for 3 years in a row. He never so much as studied for a test! Today he's to a point where yes he does need to study but so do most 'common' children so he's not any different. It really has been a blessing. The consistancy helped so much. I have a 14,11 and 9 year old. The 11 year old after all the problems we went through is the best of them. He has an attitude that we keep in check when needed but he's the most loving, curtious and helpful child I know!

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Just giving you a thumbs up from another spectrum mom

Too often their symptoms are hidden by wrong diagnosis and our children suffer needlessly. I'm glad that your son is on the right track.

Thank you both for sharing your experiences. What this thread proves is that each child is an unique individual, when there is a disability, early intevention is essential, more so with some disorders. ASD require supportive and structured environments as early as possible in order to identify the childs unique learnig needs, 7 yo is too old. This child needed intervention and assessment prior to school.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Schools are not responsible to rule out. We cannot fish for disabilities. Individuals raise complaints, those complaints are reviewed and evaluation is developed from the list of commplaints. If, during the evaluation process, testing indicates further eval, then you follow that.

And you always look for the simplelist answer given the complaints. I never said it wasn't Asperger's; I said be careful. Why, It was the first couple statements from a mom and this board is cheering her on to a very rare, especially in girls - somewhere from between 4/10,000 - 15/10,000 diagnosis. I didn't say it was or wasn't anything.

Asperger's is not as rare as you think and occurs in females as well although it is not as obvious in females because Asperger's traits are more acceptable in females. There was a time when they thought it was exclusively found in males and they grew out of it, we now know that is false and in fact it is a lifelong neurological deficit with a decline in functioning in midlife, that is why early intervention and assessment is needed.

 

[Obnoxious1]

Not oly are the symptoms hidden but the stigma is horrible. When you hear the word Autism unless you research you are devistated and there is a belief that Autism is the end of the world and how will this child ever function!! I look at it as a positive. Every person in this world has their strengths and weaknesses... why should someone with Autism be any different? Reality is in many, many cases, those strengths are ...well... Awesome. I mean my son has got the 'Best Speller' award for 3 years in a row. He never so much as studied for a test! Today he's to a point where yes he does need to study but so do most 'common' children so he's not any different. It really has been a blessing. The consistancy helped so much. I have a 14,11 and 9 year old. The 11 year old after all the problems we went through is the best of them. He has an attitude that we keep in check when needed but he's the most loving, curtious and helpful child I know!

My son has classic autism instead of aspergers, so he is closer to what most people believe autism to be. Still though, he has a heart of gold. He is the kind of strange knowledge in our house. He knows facts about animals that would put a lot of veterinarians to shame. The thing that makes him so easy though is that he has never told me a lie. I don't think it has ever occurred to him to tell any sort of lie

I am glad that the children on the high functioning end are now getting the type of intervention that they deserve. Kudos to you and your family for making the best of it

 

[tigger22472]

My son has classic autism instead of aspergers, so he is closer to what most people believe autism to be. Still though, he has a heart of gold. He is the kind of strange knowledge in our house. He knows facts about animals that would put a lot of veterinarians to shame.

That is so awesome!!

I remember when my son was diagnosed and my ex was ashamed. He didn't want to A. admit it or B. think he caused it. I, of course, went and got all kinds of books at the library (this was before I even thought of the internet) and read up on it and had to inform him. Today in my household we rarely discuss the issue but I do keep it in my mind to know if an major issue happens to arise in the future be it tomorrow or 10 years from now.

Rm.. I agree that early diagnosis of anything like this or any LD is essential. You learn how to control it and deal with it and help others due to the stigma.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

That is so awesome!!

I remember when my son was diagnosed and my ex was ashamed. He didn't want to A. admit it or B. think he caused it. I, of course, went and got all kinds of books at the library (this was before I even thought of the internet) and read up on it and had to inform him. Today in my household we rarely discuss the issue but I do keep it in my mind to know if an major issue happens to arise in the future be it tomorrow or 10 years from now.

Rm.. I agree that early diagnosis of anything like this or any LD is essential. You learn how to control it and deal with it and help others due to the stigma.

The learning is rote for everyone, the child learning and the family learning how to adapt to the child. Your child is a good speller because he learned by rote, but there will come a time when he can't learn by rote and will have problems with decision making and change. But in the end it is better knowing than not and being frustrated. The problem is, as you ex feared, it does run in families. So often there is a lack of awareness that a probem exists within the family system, because the social interactions or lack thereof and other signs seem normal, the system closes when there is outside intervention as a defensive measure, so your ex's reactions were typical. Also medications don't work as expected, that can be a clue. Some may work to control behavior but don't control the underlying cognitive dysfunction. Be aware as your child ages and gets frustrated or depressed and also for accidents.

 

[tigger22472]

The learning is rote for everyone, the child learning and the family learning how to adapt to the child. Your child is a good speller because he learned by rote, but there will come a time when he can't learn by rote and will have problems with decision making and change. But in the end it is better knowing than not and being frustrated. The problem is, as you ex feared, it does run in families. So often there is a lack of awareness that a probem exists within the family system, because the social interactions or lack thereof and other signs seem normal, the system closes when there is outside intervention as a defensive measure, so your ex's reactions were typical. Also medications don't work as expected, that can be a clue. Some may work to control behavior but don't control the underlying cognitive dysfunction. Be aware as your child ages and gets frustrated or depressed and also for accidents.

Yes, we are very careful to watch things that he doesn't complain about, if that makes sense. He had severe strep throat a few months ago. He started out just saying he was achy and was running a fever. He never complained of his throat hurting. After treating it for a normal fever thing I realized his neck was swollen. I asked if his throat hurt and he said yeah a little! This was the first year of school he had some problems and next year is a middle school year so big change that we are really keeping an eye out on.

I must admit over the years I haven't really kept up on the research that has been done but at the time of his diagnosis I was told it was unknown if autism is caused by a parent carrying a gene or a combination of two genes from the parents. It is my personal belief that it's a one gene thing. I truly believe he gets it from me. I've had several doctors when having my children being evaluated ask if I've been evaluated for ADD myself (not necessarily Aspberger's as some don't know the diagnosis unless necessary). I have my little quirks. I am also very good when it comes to memory and things that seem very 'useless' to others but I can't add 2 and 2 and get 4 every time. I simply can not pick up on simple addition.

 

[Obnoxious1]

That is so awesome!!

I remember when my son was diagnosed and my ex was ashamed. He didn't want to A. admit it or B. think he caused it. I, of course, went and got all kinds of books at the library (this was before I even thought of the internet) and read up on it and had to inform him. Today in my household we rarely discuss the issue but I do keep it in my mind to know if an major issue happens to arise in the future be it tomorrow or 10 years from now.

Rm.. I agree that early diagnosis of anything like this or any LD is essential. You learn how to control it and deal with it and help others due to the stigma.

It could easily be said that the diagnosis is what started our road to divorce. My ex still cannot accept it and will not spend any time with his son. It's a real shame too, since he has missed so many wonderful things. I was very heartbroken at first too and I still have moments when it isn't easy but for every tear and every heartbreak I get at least a dozen smiles and proud moments.

Because of the type of autism my son has it is an issue in our home, there isn't much of a way around it but all of my children have learned to adapt and they all think that he is worth it

When my son was first diagnosed the book rmet and I were discussing earlier was just a website and one of the first sources of information that I found. As soon as I read the title of it "Oops.....wrong planet syndrome" I identified with it right away.

Recently we have seen the need to medicate. At first it was really harsh because the medications he is on zapped the life out of him. He is still somewhat lethargic but his personality is beginning to show through again and I'm seeing more hope for him. His situation is different though, and in his case the medications were necessary for us to keep him at home with us. I would not have done it at all if I had seen a good way to avoid medicating him.

 

[tigger22472]

It could easily be said that the diagnosis is what started our road to divorce. My ex still cannot accept it and will not spend any time with his son. It's a real shame too, since he has missed so many wonderful things. I was very heartbroken at first too and I still have moments when it isn't easy but for every tear and every heartbreak I get at least a dozen smiles and proud moments.

Because of the type of autism my son has it is an issue in our home, there isn't much of a way around it but all of my children have learned to adapt and they all think that he is worth it

When my son was first diagnosed the book rmet and I were discussing earlier was just a website and one of the first sources of information that I found. As soon as I read the title of it "Oops.....wrong planet syndrome" I identified with it right away.

Recently we have seen the need to medicate. At first it was really harsh because the medications he is on zapped the life out of him. He is still somewhat lethargic but his personality is beginning to show through again and I'm seeing more hope for him. His situation is different though, and in his case the medications were necessary for us to keep him at home with us. I would not have done it at all if I had seen a good way to avoid medicating him.

Sometimes there really is not a way of avoiding medicine. The medicine they had my son on were a lot of them like for ADD and nothing really worked.

I would too have to say that although my son's problems were not the reason for my divorce they did have some to do with it. He never seemed to want to give my son that extra time he needed. When my son was younger, just learning to count was a challenge. And heaven forbid he know the color yellow. He never quite accepted it or him. In fact to make himself feel better he would try to say that my family and myself favored my older son and that he was going to sue me for custody and literally said if he couldn't get both he would go for one and would go for the older one. My current husband laughs because my younger son is the one 'babied' by my family, not the older one.

I admit the road with my son was a hard one and he's considered 'very high functioning' but it's been worth it every step of the way. As long as we continue to watch and control it he will be a very productive and caring adult.