Results of IQ-testing-what should I do?

A really good tester will take the time to get around her selective mutism. I have a friend who just went through this and the doctor spent hours working to get the child to open up. I doubt this was done based on what you said.

Definitely demand outside testing. I would not let that low IQ score stand, no way, no how. She will be held to a lower standard and may actually start to believe it herself.

I let test results that were wrong stand and paid a price. It made the fight harder.

Definitely, don’t let a kid get labelled with those incorrect low scores. Check with little lulu about the nightmare wrong labelling can cause.

High 70’s is considered “slow learners”. Legally, it is not a great area to be in—LD kids are protected as are children who test as being mentally retarded. Personally, I would have her retested indepedently if you don’t think this reflects her true IQ. The problem with having a lower IQ test is that any time she has trouble, it will be blamed on her IQ. Now if this is her true IQ, it may be accurate. Otherwise, it is a way for the school to avoid responsibility and not investigate what is really going on.

I don’t know how you treat “selective mutism” but wonder if it is a school issue. Is it considered to be a disability legally? Or do you need some other type of help?

Beth

Beth, per ODE (Ohio Dept. of Education), Selective Mutism is considered a Speech & Language Disorder and is considered a disability.

Should I request an Independent Evaluation after I get my copy of the Evaluation (the school keeps coming up with reasons not to provide me with a copy of the evaluation)? First she (the psychologist) said they needed a physical done on my daughter, for the evaluation to be complete. She wasn’t lying, because I read that in a pamphlet which explains the process. I had a copy of the results of a recent full physical (done just this year), and provided it to the school THE NEXT DAY. The psychologist had stated, in person, that the copy of the physical results that I had from the doctor’s office would suffice. But then the witch called me (6 days later, when I was expecting my copy of the evaluation) and told me that what I provided wasn’t good enough….it had to be completed on their forms. She is trying to get me to let the school perform a full physical of their own on my daughter. But why should I subject my daughter to this, when she just had a full physical a few months ago?

Do you think the school staff is just dragging their tails, hoping to be ‘saved by the bell’ (when the last bell of the schoolyear rings on June 12th)?

Well, there are state to state differences here. I don’t think it is covered by federal regs.

On the physical—we have to have all physicals in FL done on particular forms and signed a particular way. I am switching one of my children to a parochial school and his physican signed in the wrong spot and the school won’t take it. I’d sigh and do the form their way. I agree—I wouldn’t subject your daughter to another physical but they may just be bureaucrats more than anything else.

On the IQ test, I suspect you probably have to wait for the report and then file some appropriate paper work. If you have the means to do so or the insurance coverage, I’d go privately so you can pick the psychologist. It will be faster that way too. The same test can not be administered or it will be invalid so make sure you have all the tests done before you take your daughter.

I am never sure whether people are draggin things out on purpose or if it is basic incompetence. Hard to infer motives.

Beth

Sure sounds to me like deliberate dragging.

Go to the school, get a blank physical form with instructions, take the blank form and a copy of your doctor’s report (to aid his memory, he’s busy too) back to your doctor, and explain to him that you’re really sorry but the school bureaucracy is after you, and get him to rewrite the same info on the required form and sign it in the right place. Doctors are used to bureaucracy and although he won’t enjoy doing it, if he’s responsible he’ll deal with it. If the school refuses the form talk lawyers — that is obvious obstruction.

Then present the filled form to the school with a request (written) for your child’s evaluation, now complete, within a week.

If the school finds yet another excuse, or delays more than two weeks, again it’s time to talk lawyers.

Yes, definitely, get your child that second evaluation. This is not a good label especially if false.

I would wonder if the school is qualified to accurately test a child with select mutism. I’ve had my son tested through the school and privately, and I do think there was a difference in “testing skill.”

You might want to consider getting a good neuropsychological evaluation if possible. Check out costs and find out what your insurance might cover.

IQ tests don’t mean jack @!#$ at that age. Ofcourse the school underated her IQ so that they could look like heros and get more federal money for SPED. That is quite a shitty thing to do to a child in order to get money. There is no way in hell a kid with an IQ of 70 can get As and Bs. If anyone tells you otherwise they are either stupid or a liar.

Did they give her other tests besides an IQ test? If your daughter is re-tested, don’t use the same IQ test, it would be too soon and could be argued invalid as well as practice effects. Plus there also nonverbal IQ tests. Does she receive services for the “selective mutism?” Was a speech and lang person involved in her eval? Most psychologists who do IQ testing do not “fudge” scores or underestimate on purpose, it would be unethical. Why did you want her tested if she was “under doctors care” at that time?

Please don’t post messages here, you obviously are inappropriate and ignorant.

My one response was to the person who was cussing and ranting and raving-not to you personally-sorry,that person was inappropriate and ignorant-the one with the symbols for his name.

What exactly are you trying to get for your daughter? what kind of services or label?

RW is new here or is she. The comment s of the symbol [^^**] was right on. The comments were pure common sense. Your personal attack are unwelcome and unhelpful. If you are going to troll please go elsewhere.

No those comments were not right on. That person is saying they underestimated her IQ on purpose to declare that student special ed so they could get “federal” money. That isn’t correct. Children with borderline IQs, within the 70s, are not typically classified as special ed and schools really don’t get money for students who are certified special ed. It is just the exact opposite, which is part of the reason why it is so hard to get services,special education costs schools money. Also, that person is saying that IQ tests don’t mean anything at that age but then says someone who has an IQ within the borderline range would not be able to obtain A’s and B’s in school, which is it. I don’t understand how the schools would be underrating the IQ, to look like heros and get special ed federal money, if a borderline IQ is NOT special ed.

Furthermore, this is a person who is posting messages on this website with the subject of “Ritalin Kills”-how is that appropriate? Come on now.

I believe the symbol person, and the alias “long time poster”, are fronts for a well-known troublemaker. Please ignore him and maybe he’ll go away. He’s not representative of the group.

You know MOM,I was reading this post again.

I would consider going above the school’s head at this point.

The diagnosis of selective mutism is enough to warrant an IEP,and if this child is NOT recieving services at this point then they are in serious violation of FAPE.

Have you written letters to the school special ed director? Administration? Forget the school psych.

Also,the independent is just that,whether or not the district pays for it or not. You have the right to determine who will do the evaluation,period.

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