simple language delay?

Mil,

I am not an expert, just a mom with ld kids but it does look like a language ld.
Did someone indicate other problems to you? Do you have any other testing results? What are his problems in school? How old is the child and what is the grade level? Sorry for all of the questions, but it would help to have more information. Look forward to your response.

Terry

Did the child have a speech/language evaluation? I wouldn’t think the LPT would comprise a full S/L eval.

Janis

They are thinking perhaps ADHD, inattentive type. I don’t see this. If he were not paying attention he would not of come as far as he has. On his 1st two tests of ability first the Brigance at age 4 and then the Kaufman at age 7 he was found to be boderline functioning with a score of 72 on the Kaufman. Now at age 9 in 3rd grade tested with WISC his scores are verbal 82 Performance 104 for a FSIQ of 92. If he was not paying attention how would his scores improve so? He does have social issues though that interferes with things. He has little to no eye contacts, repeats things said to him, has difficulty with basic conversation, and at times seems to be in his own “world”. The withdrawl only comes when frustrated though and not understanding.

That was the only language test given this time as he was tested in the past and found to have a language delay. He has been in speech since age 2. He has made some really nice gains in this time. He has a history of hearing loss as an infant. This loss was cleared with the placement of tubes at age 2. The school feels that if this was the only problem he should of caught up already. We are awaiting the results of his psychological testing completed outside of the school. It has been 2 months and no results yet. The IQ testing and language testing was done by the school, the outside psychologist completed some behavior rating scales, interviewd him, and us, and did a complete developmental history. I was just curious if anyone could tell anything by the WISC test results.

First of all, did they give you a verbal, performance, and full scale IQ score besides those subtest scores. I don’t recall that you gave us those.

Please remember that an IQ test alone tells very limited information.

BUT, a red flag went up when you said this:

“He has a history of hearing loss as an infant. This loss was cleared with the placement of tubes at age 2. The school feels that if this was the only problem he should of caught up already.”

Well, the school is very WRONG about this! There is a very strong relationship between children who have had frequent ear infections and fluid in the ears causing temporary hearing loss during this important developmental time and language delays AND Auditory Processing Disorder!!!

This child probably needs an APD eval by an audilologist who specializes in APD (not just any audiologist can do it and give meaningful recommendations).

Let me know if you need more information.

Here are some links for you:

http://www.ncapd.org/

http://pages.cthome.net/cbristol/capd.html

Janis

Okay, thanks, I now see the full scale score and verbal and performance. This would correspond with what I told you in my other post. I’d almost bet money that this child has auditory processing disorder. It is frequently misdiagnosed as ADD inattentive. With his history of early hearing loss and the lower verbal IQ scores, I think you may be looking at a classic APD case.

Janis

I should add, though, that there may be more going on than just APD. Other problems can be present with APD. Diagnosis is much like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Few of the professionals have knowledge in all areas. So each one can only supply part of the puzzle pieces. They may attempt to tell you what the big picture is according to their particular experience without all the pieces. They may be right or wrong. Finding out that a child has APD explains a lot of things. But it almost takes an APD audiologist who is also a SLP to be able to tell you what therapy should be used to remediate the problem. It may be the same thing that the regular SLP and LD teacher would ahve recommended anyway. But it very much helps to know what the root of the problem is. Often these kids will need a specialized reading program as some of them may be dyslexic.

Janis

Thanks! for all the input Janis. I will wait and see what the outside psych says and go from there. My son is in a instructional LD class and does get individual reading and writing help. Guess I am just nervous seeing this report is so long in coming. Thanks again Janis.

You’re quite welcome! Just remember that often LD classes do not use materials that are effective in remediating reading and written language problems. There are excellent articles on this site about programs that DO work. Find out exactly what your child’s LD teacher is using and run it by this board. I’m sure you’ll get good advice about whether it’s appropriate or not. :-)

Janis