Had an 3-year re-eval yesterday for the oldest.
Topic came to my concern about CAPD and we’ve been round and round about this. I am confident, with all that I have read and researched, that this is the route we need to pursue or at least rule out at this point for both of my boys.
I secured at spot on the waiting list for a private evaluation since the school only offered a “screening” by the audiologist that they have contracted for the school district.
The sped administrator contends that very little is known about CAPD and even kids she was sure had it, screen as negative (not at risk for it). Therefore, they are never referred for a formal evaluation.
She tells me that they will do the screening. If they find the boys “at risk” they will be referred for a formal eval. And if that comes back as positive, they can do the therapy through school.
If I choose to keep my appointment with the private evaluator, and she diagnoses CAPD, they will not carry out therapy at school. I am on my own then and they possibly would not even recognize the diagnosis.
The sped administrator had very negative things to say about this evaluator even though she is internationally well-known and considered an expert in the field.
Has anyone else ever been bullied into a situation like this? If CAPD is an issue that is compromising their educational performance, I most certainly want it addressed.
Private therapy (through this evaluator) would be an hour away. But, from the way the administrator talks, diagnosis through the district’s audiologist is unlikely.
I have put my kids through so much testing already, I don’t want to do both evaluations just for the sake of second opinions any more. Been there, done that. We’re all exhausted and still there are many questions unanswered.
Any advice, especially around the CAPD controversy?
Re: CAPD testing and diagnosis
Lulu,
I agree with Beth. Definitely do the testing privately if you can, but be sure this person is an APD specialist. I get the impression from your post that he/she is.
As far as the school goes, the APD must affect speech/language or academics in order to get services. My child gets speech/language services as this is where the APD causes her problems. The special ed. administrator is dead wrong about not being able to serve the child if the eval is done privately! Private evaluations are presented at IEP meetings all the time!!! Now they do not have to follow all the recommendations on a private eval, but if the child has speech/language delays in auditory areas and the APD testing also confirms it, then the child can get services. See, there are many kids with APD on S/L or LD caseloads right now who have never been diagnosed with APD. The resulting problems make the child qualify for the services. It is just nice to know the underlying cause in the event therapy could be more specific to the particular disorder. Plus, I think it helps to educate teachers on why the child sometimes does not seem to “pay attention”.
Janis
In my district, they are very clear about not recognizing CAPD. It isn’t an issue for us, since my son qualifies for special ed on the basis of having a specific language disability. I think the only things the schools will do for a CAPD is through speech and language therapy. My son also qualifies for that.
We tried a trial of an FM system and it did not help. He would not have had to have a diagnosis of CAPD to have tried that.
Still, I have found the information useful in understanding his problems and how to help him. If I was in your shoes, I’d pursue the testing privately. We did all our audiological testing privately. I don’t think the schools have adequate expertise.
Beth