IQ tests

You can contest the school’s evaluation and request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). Stanford-Binet is supposed to be a good test for people with language issues.

I have already requested an IEE. I have an IEP meeting this coming Thursday. The Stanford-Binet is a valid test, but it is not a great one for ADHD and CAPD children.

Debbie, your description is unclear. First you describe your child is identified with a 504 disability with a 504 plan. Then you describe he was evaluated and I presume found not eligible for an IDEA learning disability. Then you describe you are preparing for an IEP meeting. So the question is whether he is disabled under IDEA or otherwise qualified handicap under 504?

Secondly, the teachers have given you a false impression of an IEP providing more services to your child. A child with a 504 disability is entitled to special education and related services to enable the child to access his core curriculum. You are being misled if you have been led to believe otherwise.

DRHD

My son currently has a 504 Plan. His teachers and my advocate told me that he would receive more services, such as a special study hall, if he had an IEP. The school district would not accept the evaluation that was done independently in 2007, as it was over a year old. I gave my consent for the school district to evalutate my son this spring. I am meeting with them tomorrow to go over the results. However, I already have a copy of the report. Every evaluation that has been done on my son has included the WISC. It has always shown that my son has a learning disability. The school district used the Stanford Binet, and the psychologist has suggested that my son does not have a learning disability. Her findings suggest that he is performing at his IQ level - low. I do not want him to have this label, as this is not the true picture of my son. From all other reports from other professionals and KNOWING my own son, I KNOW he has learning disabilities, and he does not have low intelligence. His disabilities affect the way he performs on these tests. My question is, what other IQ tests, besides WISC, provide a good measure when you are dealing with a teen with CAPD and ADHD?

Debbie,

Pleasenote the following:

1) I continue to maintain that an IEP does not equal more of a service than an IEP. The entitlement of a child with a 504 Plan is to achieve an equity of opportunity to access their education or “learning” through accommodation or thru the benefit of special education. Type into Google Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and read Section D of the statute that applies to elementary and secondary education. You will understand what I am describing to you.

2) To the extent your child may manifest issue related to CAPD, I suggest that you have your child assessed with an Audiologist to answer this question. It may well be a language processing issue that is interfers with your child’s progress.

3) To the extent that your IEE is over a one year threshold, I suggest you inform the school division that you request your child to be evaluated for an IDEA disability. This constitutes a referral and the school division has an obligation to act upon the referral.

Best wishes.

DRHD

Debbie, I apologize for the misspellings in my response. Please note Point #1. It was intended to say that having an IEP does not guarantee more services compared to a 504 Plan. It is what the child is entitled to that is the obligation of a child with a disability under either IDEA or Section 504. Both an IEP and a 504 Plan include the entitlement of the provision of special education and related services to enable the child to benefit from or access to a major life activity, this case, learning.

DRHD

Hi, Your son sounds alot like mine, however, he is only 11. He has had an IEP since he was 3 mostly due to speech until he entered Kindergartin. He has Processing issues, ADHD, Dsylexia, Dsygrahia etc. He tests low average on his IQ tests but he is labeled on his IEP as having Specific Learning Disablities due to the descrepancies in the subtest scores. As one Psycholosgist wrote in his report IQ scores should not be replied upon in my son’s case because of his LD’s. I would fight for the IEP no matter if they say he is working to his ability. I get so mad just thinking about it. We have to fight for what the school is required to provide for our children. If he does get an IEP you will definitly have to monitor it to make sure that it is being followed. I was told by a High School Teacher she doesn’t even look at the IEP’s for the kids in her class she feels it is a crutch. Fortunately we have found a school which meets my childs need. At 28 K a year, it is pricey but we are fighting the school system to pay for it. Unfortunately not everyone has that option.

Our son’s stories do sound alike. My son was identified with speech difficulties at age 2 1/2, had an IEP from age 3 to 4th grade, went to a private school for 5th grade, went back to public school in 6th grade and has had a 504 Plan ever since. His CAPD was diagnosed after his first year of kindergarten. I kept him back in kindergarten (another story).

I want you to know that my IEP meeting went very well yesterday. He received an IEP for Other Health Impairment (ADHD). He is going to get Curriculum Assistance (a study hall for EC students) this year, plus all his modifications. I am thrilled!! He does not perform well on standardized tests, and has real test anxiety.

My son has started being his own advocate. He lets his teachers know that he needs to be seated in the front and his other modifications. I am so proud of him. It is too bad that there has to be such a war between the schools and the parents. The children are the ones who suffer. Keep in touch.

Debbie, I’m glad you are pleased with the outcome. Somewhere in our “dialogue” I was of the impression that your son did not become identified with an IDEA disability but in your recent message this was indeed the case. He was classified as Other Health Impaired. That would have been the classification I would have suggested for you to pursue as well. Best wishes.

DRHD