any logical explanations?

Testing is something that helps the professional pinpoint where the problems are. Also different professionals look for different things. An SLP would look at language, receptively, expressively, syntax, morphology, semantics, pragmatics, and a Psyche would look at IQ and processing speed and overall cognitive abilities. I know it is frustrating but reputable places will insist on doing their own testing. One needs to do testing to figure out where the holes are and what baselines that show what the child is able to do so the clinician can plan therapy and start the remediation process.

Thanks for your response.

I just have trouble understanding this point. We have a file inches thick with just about every test that could be done.

Yet no consensus between the professionals.

We want to see someone else, but they want to do their own set of tests, ones that are already in the file.

Why can’t they use the results that are already there? There are only some many (they are standard tests) and so many times that they can be administered; yet they want to do their own. Not different ones, they just want to be the administrator.

Just like taking your x-rays and history to the specialist, they don’t do them over, they look at what is there to confirm their diagnosis.

Why is this so different? And the process is much more taxing on the child than a new x-ray.

When we went for an independent neuropsych he used previous test data and only did new tests that had not been administered. Finally, we just said no more tests (mostly my husband’s demand). Still I guess we know what we know and life has gone on.

Take the testing to a neuropsyche to do an analysis of the error patterns to find something that isn’t shown on the tests. What do youi see as the problme your child is having?

Perhaps a narrative analysis could be done on his speech and language, to see what words he is using in his conversational speech, the length of his sentences, that kind of thing.

My son has been through several different types of tests and they all come out with different results.

One OT said his major problem was bilateral motor coordination. His school OT insists this is not the issue. (She never saw him swim.)His school testing pinpointed “a memory deficit,” other tests point to him having a gifted memory.
One test showed ADHD. Well of course it showed that, he couldn’t pay attention. There wasn’t anything done to find out why he might not be paying attention.

I frankly gave up. I don’t care what anyone wants to call it. If someone has something that works we will talk. No more testing just get names for things.

His developmental optometrist just keeps giving me new exercises to do when I bring up specific learning issues. The exercises work. He doesn’t even tell me what it is we are treating (memory, visual processing etc) half the time. It is just, “Try this.”

I truely have come full circle from wanting to know everything to now just wanting to know what to do.

Research is Data driven, School progress is data driven, PT, OT, and SLP therapy has to be data driven. You have to show what the deficits are, you must start with an eval even Insurance companies will authorize an Eval but as a therapist one must build the case to the insurance company to get paid.

For example, I have several herniated discs in my neck, stenosis, arthritis, yada, yada…, the Dr. prescribed PT, so I go to the PT, he doesn’t take the Dr.’s word, he does his own “eval” to figure out what he can do to help me with my 65 year old neck on a young slim body… Then before PT begins, it has to be pre-certified, meaning they take the “eval” the PT did and the prescription the Dr. did prescribing it and the Insurance company says yeah or ney to services…all based on the DATA and RATIONALE the PT and the Dr. have given to request services for my neck. If they don’t go through those hoops they will not get paid.

And it is true “specialists” in a particular field will see the child’s deficits in their own way…For instance, I am more in “:tune” with Dyslexia, ADD, CAPD, hearing and speech and language deficits, however, I am not in up to speed on children with psychological issues, that is out of my area of expertise. but usually if one takes all the testing if it was done correctly without modifications a pattern will jump out at you…of deficits and that has to be looked at very carefully to determine what is underlying the child’s deficits or if it is a bunch of things combined…

P

Right, this is where I come in, when people have had enough delay and avoidance and just want the kid to learn to read or write or do math.

Tests should be there to provide useful information. If not, they are a waste of time and money.

Now, it does take tome to get info from tests. I have to get my act together and go in for more medical tests to see if they can find anything this time. It is worth keeping trying if you haven’t found a cause. But there is no point in repeating the same test in a short time.

And tests are just a snapshot in time. Things are in a constant state of flux with my child.
I have only so much money. I need to spend it helping my child rather than testing him. We have been there and done that.

I know we need to start with some tests. It is just that there is a limit and in my case the focus is less on finding a label or even a word to describe what he has and just providing him with the help he needs.

I have no doubt that the Pattims and the Victorias of the world are capable of doing just that.

Behavioral observations are a key component of an assessment and provide essential information about a child. Every professional brings their own observational skills to the table when a child is assessed. It’s important to see how the child performed the task not just whether they were “right” or “wrong.” Appropriate interventions and accommodations can then be recommended in light of the picture of the whole child.
But, I do agree that administering the exact same time tests repeatedly is usually unnecessary. I often think that students must worry, “something must be seriously wrong with me,” since they are repeatedly put through batteries of tests.

these days. (Disclaimor: Experts on this board excluded) :-)

We have come to the conclusion that we have enough info about my child - I need to spend my $$ on achievement.