LD Testing

[willoweezie]

Hi there,

Well, I'm trying to approach our situation from all angles (i.e. the "bizzarre behavior" thread in the meds section) and I was rereading the psychological report we had done last fall. This was done by a psychologist (or rather the testing itself was done by his assistant) that I really didn't think much of since his attitude was "I don't see anything too complicated here, we'll have her straightened out in a few weeks" yet the report noted multiple issues (in only the vaguest of terms) such as ADHD, proccessing and integration problems, fine motor skills problems, and a litany of emotional things. I also have been told by the current psychiatrist that this 10 page report should ahve been much longer and more detailed, and when I went back to review his findings with the "jerko psychologist" he wouldn't give me any specific examples of things he said in the report (here's a lovely example: "Sage doesn't seem to understand that others view her as weird or dangerous" or that she showed much "expansiveness of thought and was very narrcissistic" )

So, I don't have alot of confidence in this guys analysis, but he did administer alot of tests (WISC, Quick Neurological Screening Test, Rorshach, Bender, and interviews etc.) and there are indicators of attentional and proccessing and integration issues from these (putting his opinions aside for now). The school did it's own educational testing (Woodcock Johnson and some others) and in particular her math scores were a good deal lower than the rest of her scores. Yet due to the fact that her emotional problems have been the most troublesome in the school environment no assistance or accomodations have been made for any possible LD issues (like the processing and integration problems or math difficulties) or even any further assessment for any specific LD have been done. I know they are really concerned with her emotional state, but I wonder if she were less overwhelmed by her environment b/c she was getting some accomodations for LD (if they exist) would she be able to do better emotionally?

I don't know if the school has to do LD testing if I request it, or if I should look for someone on my own to do so. Does anyone have any advice for me on this?

Thx,

Willow

[Mayleng]

Willow,

The "jerko Psychologist" should have done an LD eval in this evaluation. Was he Private or was he the school psych?

The school should have done it's own Academic and Cognitive Eval (not just Academic).

Does Sage have an IEP? If they did not do a full evaluation (Cognitive (IQ), Academic, Speech and Language and Functional Behavior), then how can they figure out what is wrong with Sage. I would suggest you tell the school you disagree with the evaluation and that you want an Independent Outside Evaluation done. Do this in writing. You don't even have to give a reason for disagreeing, just that you do. If they agree they will have to pay for the eval. If they disagree they will have to give you prior written notice and then you decide if you want to take them to due process or not. But write to request for the IEE (independent eval) and see how it goes.

Ask around for a good reputable Neuropsych. When you do see the psych, ask him to see if there is any LDs as well as ADHD or whatever disabilities that could cause the emotional or "bizzarre behavior".

[willoweezie]

I'm baa-ack

To add on to my original post, does anyone have kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction? It's another on my list of possibilities for Sage. I am going to request the school do an addessment by an OT specialist for this. The testing done by the quack psych. did a test of praxis and noted problems with integrating sensory information. I'm beginning to feel a bit frustrated that even though we discussed it and the school has seen problems with sensory overload leading to emotional meltdown, they are so focused on the EMOTIONAL ISSUES that they haven't looked at things like this as a potential source of, or contributor to them.

My question for anyone who has a child with SID is do you notice that some times or places make your child more sensitive to being under or over stimulated by sensory inputs? Do they at times crave alot of contact (hugs etc.) and other times are oversensitive to touch? For example, there are times when she wants alot of close physical contact & reassurance and others where she pulls away from anyone touching her, and not just b/c she's mad at someone, rather she gets very agitated by even the lightest touch (when she's feeling frustrated or maybe vice versa...feeling frustrated b/c feeling overstimulated ?) She is frequently upset by any loud noises (and things like vaccuums, blenders, fireworks). Do these problems result in emotional meltdowns for your child (probably a silly question... I can guess the answer) Just wondering what you may notice and how you feel OT therapy has helped & what kinds of things you do with your kids.

btw, I'm starting to think Sage has every neuropsychological disorder ever 'invented'!! I know the full dx is out there and durn it, I'm gonna get it figured out!

Willow

[Mayleng]

Willow, the school OT may not be able to dx SID nor have any therapy to help SI. You need to find an outside OT who specializes in SID. If you have Easter Seals in your State, they would be able to do the Evaluation. Some insurance would pay for the eval and therapy. I have a friend who's daughter had SI and after therapy was helped by it tremendously. You might want to read the "out of sync child" which is a very good book about SI and what you can do to help and what the school can do to help too.

[Dakotah]

Hi Willoweezie! My son was dx with SID at age two. He is now almost six. SID is a real concern for him. We NEVER know when or what will set him off. It is so very hard. I agree with Mayleng that a school OT may not be able to dx SID. Our school OT never gave him the label but is giving him the therapy. She believes he has it. Our private OT has given him the dx and is also giving him therapy for it. Becareful however, insurance doesn't always recognize SID. Talk to a private OT about other possible concerns that would qualify your child for services. My son has a developmental disorder that qualifies him for insurance coverage but secondary is SID so he receives therapy for both.

To answer your questions... YES to everything! We went to Disneyland and it was a nightmare! He couldn't take the heat, the sun, the crowds, the smells or the sounds. We left after two hours and will NEVER go back Our lives have revolved around his sensory needs or sensory defensiveness. Some sounds will cause him to huddle in a corner with his ears covered like he is in fear for his life. He eats almost nothing. Cooking is a problem because he will sit there for the whole time complaining about the smell of the foods. When I walk toward him or turn too suddenly he acts like I am going to give him a good swat but I am not going to, it is just his reaction to a possible touch. I could go on for hours and hours. This makes me so sad. I am not sure if therapy has helped or if his age has helped. It is hard to tell. If I were to make a guess I would say therapy has played a role in his slight improvements. The problem now is how much he sticks out. At a younger age it didn't look too out of place to have issues with sensory things. Now he looks like a spoiled brat. He isn't. I know he isn't but to outsiders looking in, I am sure he looks like a kid who has parents that baby him every step of the way. If I can help in any way I would love to offer any info I can to you.

[willoweezie]

Mayleng, thanks for the book recommendation... it's on my reading list!

Dakotah, thanks for your insight! On the surface, I wouldn't say Sage sounds as severely affected as your child (if SI is in fact the issue) but there are still many signs that point to it as a possible issue, so I think testing for it will help clarify what's going on.

I will certainly hit you up for information once I do some more research and formulate some questions, thanks for the offer!

Willow