Hi there- I was just wondering if anyone could help me?? My 6 year old son who is in the first grade is going to be tested this week by the school with the wisc r. I did have a full evaluation done this past summer, but they had done it with the wipsey. At that time I was told that his iq was a low normal,but showed that he was progressing normally. They said that there needed to be a discrepancy in the numbers in order to be eligible for any special help. They did however say that they thought there was an emerging learning diability and would reccommend testing again in one year. Since then I had taken nick for a full speech/language evaluation which showed that he was a bit immature, language impairment and add-inattenative type. We have put him on medication and have seen a great improvement. My situation is this- last night I was talking with nick’s teacher and she stated that reason she was pushing for nick to be retested was because previous testing was done at a pre-school level and the type they are doing this week is primary grades and that because nick’s iq being a low normal to slightly below normal that this could mean that he could be mildly reatrded?! NO one has ever stated this before and of course this is all I have been able to think about too. Is anyone real familiar with the testing and numbers to know why she would have said this. I do have a IEP coming up in a couple of weeks and need to know where I stand! I could give numbers on testing if needed-Thanks.
Tammy
Re: Testing-sorry long
Janis-
Thanks for the reply. I have since my post talked with the doctor that did the testing over the summer. She agreed with you as stay calm and see how the testing comes out. She did’nt think that testing with the wisc was a good idea since the age bracket is 6 and up(nick is 6.5) and he may score low since he is young,but she also agreed that he may do okay since on medication now. She seemed to think that school is probably testing knowing that he will score low? She also said that I could call her prior to iep with results and she would help advise prior to iep. I am just afraid that they are trying to place nick in a lower setting than he needs to be-the doctor agreed but said at iep I can refuse if I don’t think in the best interest of my child??
Just to let you know that our state is the same as far as being considered mentally disabled, you have to have iq lower than 69-nick’s iq scales were Full Scale-76,Verbal-82, and Performance-74. Also you had asked of the language scores-had done quite a few subtests,with the standard score anywhere from 75 to 82 and that was using the OWLS and Celf3 if that helps.
It also stated that he had expressive/receptive language disorder, processing delay and problems with spatial awareness and directionality. I do have a speech teacher at another school who has agreed to tutor(starting next month) and be advocate when needed! Thanks for your help-I really appreciate it.
Tammy
Re: Testing-sorry long
Tammy,
If it makes you feel any better, my daughter is also in first grade and was tested with the WISC-R the same month she turned six. Because she has an auditory processing disorder, we also had a non-verbal IQ test done, and it was just a few points higher than the WISC-R, so the WISC must be okay at that age.
There are processing problems that can depress IQ scores. Plus the ADD would have had an effect. But even if he scores at the same levels again, he is not “mildly retarded” as that teacher suggested. I am hopeful that you will see some increase in scores since he is now medicated and doing better. (Those speech/language scores are in line with the earlier IQ test scores.)
I am so glad you have a couple of people to advise you and give you support. But know that you are welcome to come back here if you want some extra opinions! Please do let us know what happens.
Janis
Re: Testing-sorry long
One more thing, Tammy. You are correct that you do not have to sign the IEP. If you are uncertain at all when you go for the meeting, tell them you are unable to sign it until you have a chance to read it more carefully and discuss it with a special education consultant (and that can be anyone you wish!). Ask them for a copy of their “draft” IEP (they legally cannot present a completed IEP to you and force you to sign it without your input) and set up another meeting so that you can finalize things.
However, it is possible he will not qualify for special ed. if his scores are above 70 on the IQ test and there is not a large gap between the verbal and performance score or significantly lower academic performance as compared with the IQ score.
Janis
Re: Testing-sorry long
Janis-
Thanks a million!!! It is always nice to know that we are’nt alone! I will definitely keep you posted. This has been a kinda hairy year-I also have a 8 year old daughter who is dyslexic/capd and had a awful time with the school prior to her diagnosis,so I don’t really trust the schools all that much!! Although I will say that this has been a good year so far for allison. She has a wonderful resource room teacher and regular teacher used to be hearing impaired teacher at another school and is wonderful also. I am hopeful that all will work out.
Talk to ya soon!
Tammy
Re: Testing-sorry long
In my state there has to be a discrepancy between his IQ and all other scores to qualify for services. Based on the speech scores you posted they are in the ballpark with his IQ so it would not even be correct to say he has a delay-the scores are commensurate with expectations. It is possible his IQ will increase since he is on the medication.
Tammy, personally I would take into consideration that the first time he was tested he was ADD and not medicated. He also seems to have a language delay. If I were you, I’d try to not worry until you get the results of the new testing. It’s hard to know how accurate the other testing was. In my state, Educably Mentally Disabled begins at an IQ of 69 or below (two standard deviations below the mean).
Let me ask you one question, on the language testing, were all areas low? Or were some subtest scores average and some low?
If I were you, I’d go to the meeting to find out the test results, but would consider asking them to schedule a separate meeting to write the IEP, so you can get some feedback from others before doing the IEP.
Janis