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liloleme
Velociraptor
Joined: Jun 09, 2008
Age: 41
Posts: 420
Location: California
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 Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject: advice on assessments |
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| Our 6 year old son was attending a private school. They had some concerns about him and did a psychological assessment. It raised a lot of red flags....they stated things like he is below average in his class but is very knowledgeable about his special interests. He tends to retreat into his own world and has difficulty with peers and tends to self stimulate. Being a pivate school they can not make a diagnosis however they did tell us that it could be AS. Considering I have AS it is difficult for me to say what is "normal" behavior and what is not. I think that I view AS behavior as normal...which would make sense. I do have a 16 year old who we believe also has AS and a 3 year old diagnosed ASD. I tried to have my son assessed in the same way that we had my 3 year old assessed. We went through our Pediatrician and was referred to the psychologist. When I called Children's hospital to make the appointment I was told that since he was 6 years old that our insurance would not pay and I would have to go through the public school system. I have called our Regional Center but they don't seem very helpful in getting my son assessed even though they are very helpful to us with my daughter. Since she was diagnosed before 3 years old she has lifetime services through them. I am putting my son in public school this year but I'm not sure that we will get the correct diagnosis through them as they hesitate to "label" children basically because they are the ones that will have to pay for the extra help that they will need in school. The school we will be sending him to is a charter school so it is almost like a home school....I'm not sure that this is the right idea either. I'm just at a loss....not sure what to do. I wish I could just afford a private assessment. Sorry if this is confusing but does anyone have any ideas??? |
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DW_a_mom
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Posts: 1533
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know how much this will help, but in a world where so much is tied to test scores, it seems that a hesitant school can be prodded with the reminder that knowing exactly how your child thinks, and knowing what services may be needed to help him achieve at his highest level, will make sure he contributes in a positive way to the school's scoring.
It really wasn't an issue for us. My son's school got the concept, that he could do better than he was doing, and that an assessment would help them identify the steps to get there.
More important than the assessment will be the accommodations and services they are able and willing to provide. I'm very much in the "whatever gets you the results you need" box.
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Lainie
Snowy Owl
Joined: May 28, 2007
Posts: 143
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
Just wondering, what REgional Center did you go too? I don't think they can just flat out say no on the assessment, especially with the family history that you have. Thats redicules!
You might have to write a letter requesting it. You can certainly call Protection and Advocacy and they can help. I needed help when they took too long legally to give me an answer on whether my son would be a client or not. I was able to talk to a lawyer for free over the phone.
I can't remember PAI's website but you can google protection and advocacy and I think it's the first hit.
Good luck. IMO thats the best way to go since it's a free assessment and not many can argue with the regional center on dx's and such.
Lainie |
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natesmom
Deinonychus
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 305
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry. Some insurances are like that.
Perhaps you can go to a developmental pediatrician for dx (they don't do testing) and get the dx if you feel he may have Autism? Only go to one that specializes in Autism. They can make that dx. I am pretty sure insurance would pay for that. Then have the school look into the actual academics and behavior as it relates to the school setting.
It will work out; it will. You just need to find a way - creatively.
A lot of times, I will get a dx from a developmental pediatrician and then they request additional testing from the public school setting. We will usually do what they ask but each school district and even school is different. OH, am a school psych
I wouldn't say that school districts are hesitant but some psychs and staff are not good at noticing AS or HFA. A lot of these kids are initially labeled as having emotional disabilities or ADHD. Actually, charter schools are more hesitant in my experience. Yes, they get public funding but it is different. You may be going to a really good one, though. I have worked in really good school districts and feel lucky. |
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liloleme
Velociraptor
Joined: Jun 09, 2008
Age: 41
Posts: 420
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Lainie wrote: | Hi,
Just wondering, what REgional Center did you go too? I don't think they can just flat out say no on the assessment, especially with the family history that you have. Thats redicules!
You might have to write a letter requesting it. You can certainly call Protection and Advocacy and they can help. I needed help when they took too long legally to give me an answer on whether my son would be a client or not. I was able to talk to a lawyer for free over the phone.
I can't remember PAI's website but you can google protection and advocacy and I think it's the first hit.
Good luck. IMO thats the best way to go since it's a free assessment and not many can argue with the regional center on dx's and such.
Lainie |
The Regional Center was very helpful with my daughter but it took them over a month to call me back about getting my son assessed. I actually posted a thread about how the guy that called me was so confrontational with me that it caused me to shut down and I had difficulty continuing the conversation. He had me fax the psychological report from my sons private school to him because I could not explain to him what was on it. We have not heard from them since but the man told me that they were NOT a diagnostic center. If I would have had my wits about me I would have asked him if they were not a diagnostic center than why did they diagnose my daughter? BTW we are in San Diego County and as I said they were very helpful with my daughter so I did not expect someone to call me and treat me the way this guy did. |
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Lainie
Snowy Owl
Joined: May 28, 2007
Posts: 143
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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You know what.... I would start researching the Lanterman act and call Protection and Advocacy. Who does that dumbell think he is anyway?????
TO much of his dismay, it is a diagnosis center for god's sakes. That where you take you kids to either dx it or rule it out. And BTW, I have had two friends (one from the SD location and one from the central valley location) who fought for services when their kids are HF and they both won! In fact altho my son is HF, he was given a dx of Autistic Disorder (by them!) and they even denied him service because he was too Hf!!!
AND he should of also taken into consideration your own dx!
You know, I'm so pissed, I'm gonna go search the lanterman myself. What a big dummy!!! If I find anything out I will post it k?
Lainie - Who's still pissed at the SD Regioinal Center. See I can't even type right! |
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Lainie
Snowy Owl
Joined: May 28, 2007
Posts: 143
Location: California
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liloleme
Velociraptor
Joined: Jun 09, 2008
Age: 41
Posts: 420
Location: California
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:04 am Post subject: |
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Lainie, thanks so much for your help. My husband is going to do all the calling for me this time just in case anyone tries to get nasty. I just think I wasnt expecting them to treat me that way when they have been so great with my daughter. Im really not expecting to get services through RC but I am hoping that they will give us a DX that will help in getting my sons IEP. Since he was in a private school Im really apprehensive about him going into public school for more than one reason which is why Im putting him into a charter school this year. I know I cant "protect" him forever but I really want him to have a good IEP and some extra assistance before I throw him into a "regular" school. It is going to be difficult for me, as verbal communtication is not one of my strong points, to be my sons teacher. I know they give you the curriculum and assistance but he is already behind due to his academic problems so Im hoping to get the help he needs ASAP.
Anyway, thank you again for your help we appreciate it  . |
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Lainie
Snowy Owl
Joined: May 28, 2007
Posts: 143
Location: California
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:35 am Post subject: |
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No Prob, I get so mad when I see someone act like that. It just burns my arse!
So glad to see you have your dh to help out too with that man. I bet you were surprised. Had you dealt with "him" before? Is he new? Either way, what a jerk!
Lainie |
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natesmom
Deinonychus
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 305
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Let us know what happens. |
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