I’ve been reading your board for quite some time and this is my first posting. I have a 11 year old who is undergoing a psycho.-ed. eval. for the 3rd time (also was done at ages five and eight).
The first time, my son took the Stanford-Binet, which indicated that he was a slow learner with an IQ of 79, although the testing psychologist believed his IQ to be in the “average range”. He was also diagnosed with numerous LDs, the most prominent being a language deficit. The testing was done by the local school system.
The 2nd time, also done by the school system, he was given the WISC-III and his IQ was measured to be 108. High fives all around. The school system congratulated itself on the great job they were doing, although my son still had enough discrepancy between verbal and performance IQs that he continued to qualify for the LD program, and language services in particular.
This time, the testing psychologist (in private practice, with no agenda) is saying that the IQ is looking like it’s going to be even higher, in the 120’s. My son has had aggressive therapies since kindergarten (mostly privately done, since the school thought it was doing such a great job that they kept dismissing him from services that he qualified for), and he is now going to a private school. He still has a language deficit, although it is much less obvious. He receives language and occupational therapies and has been through Fast Forward. He is just doing terrifically.
The reason for my concern is that this new psychologist mentioned that neurological evaluation might be necessary, and then said he would elaborate when he finished his own testing. This has never been suggested by any of the teachers, therapists, or psychologists who have worked with my son in the past. My son might be ADD, but not ADHD, and probably has an auditory processing disorder. It was kind of a scary suggestion since no one has mentioned it before. What on earth would the psychologist be looking for?
Re: Neurologist information
They probably are looking for an ADD diagnosis. It really is something that needs to be diagnosed by a physician. The school can’t diagnose ADD. I think they sometimes ask for that to make sure all the basis are covered.
Gosh, just think about would have happened if you just bought that original IQ and gave up hope or something. I think there is a lesson in your story for every teacher and parent on this board. Thank you for sharing it.
Congrats on the good job you have done.
Re: Neurologist information
Noah,
I actually signed my 10 yr. old son up for neurological testing because I wanted to know once and for all if he has any problems were there to prevent learning.
Ask why he may want the testing he should tell you.
IQ discrepancies
IQ is usually underestimated when there are significant learning disabilities. A fact which should have been clearly stated in your initial testing report.
If it's not broken...
Don’t fix it. Make the professionals *answer* the questions you posed here. If your child is learning— making adequate progress—then why have more testing. Based on the information you gave, there is no purpose. My question would be: “If I told you I see no reason for further testing, what reasons would you give me for it being needed?” Remember that you are the customer.
Re: Neurologist information
These posts are right on target, you shouldn’t have be worried about neuro exam without even knowing why it is suggested.
When mynow 7th grade NLD girl was originally tested (fall of 2nd grade) the pediatrician referred her for a “full developmental evaluation” This included psych, speech, OT, and neurology. It was the neurologist that referred for the neuropsych, because he knew he was looking at NLD or Aspergers based on all the other eval. results.
I can’t remember now, but it seems like a neuro eval can rule out all sorts of other physical problems that MIGHT be affecting brain/learning, etc.
BTW, we too saw amazing gains in IQ testing after several years of intensive interventions — WISC III is just a number, but can be an important number to open doors for our kids. The two folks who evaluated her at age 10.5 (first eval age 7) said she was basically a poster child for parental intervention (she had social skills, OT, speech, writing and reading tutors, meds, etc. etc. — )worth every penny we paid out of pocket even though there is still lots of issues. Congrats on being so proactive with your kid!!
Re: Neurologist information
Congratulations on doing such a great job! It sounds like your son has made wonderful progress and is doing quite well.
I agree with the posts here that if he’s making progress and doing well why do more intensive testing? Just keep doing what you’re doing and continue intervention for whatever areas appear to be weak.
Good luck! :-)
Yes, Laura, when there is competition for dollars
I always go with the interventions over broad testing that applies a label and offers little specific insight.
Only thing I can think of would be concerns about the autism spectrum(but Im not an expert)
I would say YOU have been making excellent choices so far and will most likely do the same here. I can’t see harm in gathering information from the neuro exam. You can always take it or leave it!
Now, to ask YOUR advice! What is the OT doing?
I have an 11 yr old boy w/similar issues and was curious