Re: Need advice on school autism testing

[Guest guest]

You're in Conroe ISD so I would count on them not accepting the autism diagnosis. They already have a history of this (and Fox 26 did a story on it).

Hilda

Hi all. Kinda curious if anybody has any thoughts on our situation. Some background... The school district will be doing another SPEDeval (their initiation) on our 14yo son with AS, specifically toverify his autism and get more detail. As you might imagine, I haveadded some things I want to make sure get covered, and I have providedinput I want to make sure gets considered. It should be a completeeval. His last school SPED eval was to check for LDs and emotionaldisturbance. His current AUT classification (with a 504 Plan--no IEP)is coming from our private neuropsych eval we had done. He also hasmoderate to severe developmental coordination disability (DCD), alongwith the usual mix of sensory issues, poor emotional control, anxiety,executive dysfunction. No hyperactivity and no aggressive behaviors.He is very bright.OK, now for my question... Public schools are known for giving kidson the upper end of the spectrum tests that are only appropriate forkids on the lower and middle of the spectrum and saying they don'thave autism when they don't find anything. I'm not saying that thisis going to happen with my school district, but I'm curious if anybodyhas any ideas on how to avoid this? Since they should not do any testing without our okay, I figure I cancheck out the tests and make sure they are okay. I figure I can checkout the credentials of the person doing the testing and make sure theyare really qualified. I can make sure there is somebody on the ARDteam that truly understands the test results (a problem in the past). Am I missing anything? Anybody have any BTDT to share? It would begreat to get some heads up on what to expect from school districtautism testing and ideas of caveats to look for.Thanks!Ruth One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!

[Guest guest]

Ruth:

They have a BCBA on staff in Conroe -- Carol Swick.

Hilda

Hi Hilda. They already accepted the autism diagnosis about a yearago. That was not really a problem, although it definitely took somehard advocating on my part. The problem is getting some kind ofmeaningful accommodations/interventions in place. I really don'tthink there is anybody in this school district with much of anunderstanding of autism, which of course is why I am rather skepticalof them trying to do this testing themselves. Anyway, thanks for the support in the form of commiseration. RuthOne site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!

[Guest guest]

>

> You're in Conroe ISD so I would count on them not accepting the autism

> diagnosis. They already have a history of this (and Fox 26 did a

story on it).

Hi Hilda. They already accepted the autism diagnosis about a year

ago. That was not really a problem, although it definitely took some

hard advocating on my part. The problem is getting some kind of

meaningful accommodations/interventions in place. I really don't

think there is anybody in this school district with much of an

understanding of autism, which of course is why I am rather skeptical

of them trying to do this testing themselves.

Anyway, thanks for the support in the form of commiseration.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

The school Psych should do an evaluation that covers teacher input, parent input and their input. We did this twice last year...good luck!RiaTo: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 12:24:50 PMSubject: Need advice on

school autism testing

Hi all. Kinda curious if anybody has any thoughts on our situation.

Some background.. . The school district will be doing another SPED

eval (their initiation) on our 14yo son with AS, specifically to

verify his autism and get more detail. As you might imagine, I have

added some things I want to make sure get covered, and I have provided

input I want to make sure gets considered. It should be a complete

eval. His last school SPED eval was to check for LDs and emotional

disturbance. His current AUT classification (with a 504 Plan--no IEP)

is coming from our private neuropsych eval we had done. He also has

moderate to severe developmental coordination disability (DCD), along

with the usual mix of sensory issues, poor emotional control, anxiety,

executive dysfunction. No hyperactivity and no aggressive behaviors.

He is very bright.

OK, now for my question... Public schools are known for giving kids

on the upper end of the spectrum tests that are only appropriate for

kids on the lower and middle of the spectrum and saying they don't

have autism when they don't find anything. I'm not saying that this

is going to happen with my school district, but I'm curious if anybody

has any ideas on how to avoid this?

Since they should not do any testing without our okay, I figure I can

check out the tests and make sure they are okay. I figure I can check

out the credentials of the person doing the testing and make sure they

are really qualified. I can make sure there is somebody on the ARD

team that truly understands the test results (a problem in the past).

Am I missing anything? Anybody have any BTDT to share? It would be

great to get some heads up on what to expect from school district

autism testing and ideas of caveats to look for.

Thanks!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

This might help you in researching tests: http://alpha.fdu.edu/psychology/test_reviews__and__comment.htm

Also, public libraries generally have a copy of the Buros Mental

Measurements http://www.unl.edu/buros/

It worth the trip to the library! The book will tell you

the purpose of the test, age range it is appropriate for, etc.

Tonya

From:

Texas-Autism-Advocacy

[mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of r_woman2

Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 12:25 PM

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: Need advice on school autism testing

Hi all. Kinda curious if anybody has any

thoughts on our situation.

Some background... The school district will be doing another SPED

eval (their initiation) on our 14yo son with AS, specifically to

verify his autism and get more detail. As you might imagine, I have

added some things I want to make sure get covered, and I have provided

input I want to make sure gets considered. It should be a complete

eval. His last school SPED eval was to check for LDs and emotional

disturbance. His current AUT classification (with a 504 Plan--no IEP)

is coming from our private neuropsych eval we had done. He also has

moderate to severe developmental coordination disability (DCD), along

with the usual mix of sensory issues, poor emotional control, anxiety,

executive dysfunction. No hyperactivity and no aggressive behaviors.

He is very bright.

OK, now for my question... Public schools are known for giving kids

on the upper end of the spectrum tests that are only appropriate for

kids on the lower and middle of the spectrum and saying they don't

have autism when they don't find anything. I'm not saying that this

is going to happen with my school district, but I'm curious if anybody

has any ideas on how to avoid this?

Since they should not do any testing without our okay, I figure I can

check out the tests and make sure they are okay. I figure I can check

out the credentials of the person doing the testing and make sure they

are really qualified. I can make sure there is somebody on the ARD

team that truly understands the test results (a problem in the past).

Am I missing anything? Anybody have any BTDT to share? It would be

great to get some heads up on what to expect from school district

autism testing and ideas of caveats to look for.

Thanks!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

>

> They have a BCBA on staff in Conroe -- Carol Swick.

Thanks, Hilda. I don't know if this person would do my son any good

or not. My son doesn't have any behavior problems per se. His

problems are more along the lines of subtle communication problems,

perspective-taking, problem-solving, executive dysfunction, processing

speed, initiation, working memory, planning, organization (as in

executive dysfunction, not just not knowing how to use a planner,

etc.) He has problems following directions and going with the flow of

the classroom. There are also sensory issues and coordination

problems playing into it. It looks like behavior problems to the

uninitiated, but is actually cognitive problems. And that right there

is the rub. A lot of people, even professionals, can't wrap their

brains around that. The ones that can wrap their brains around it,

don't necessarily know what to do about it. And I actually don't

really fault them on that because it is a difficult problem, one

that's taken me years to figure out at least a few things that work.

But, they definitely can do better than they are. Anyway, back to the

point--I'm not trying to be cheeky--I'm really not sure if it would be

appropriate to expect a BCBA to handle this type of issue or not.

What Texas Children's recommended was cognitive behavioral therapy,

which would probably be a clinical psychologist, along with intensive

social skills training and support. So far, the school district has

been trying to pretend they didn't hear that part. And that is partly

my fault for allowing that, of course, but I was hoping we could do

that from home--but I can see now that that is not going to be enough.

The interventions need to be supported throughout the day and through

the week.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

>

> This might help you in researching tests:

> http://alpha.fdu.edu/psychology/test_reviews__and__comment.htm

>

>

>

> Also, public libraries generally have a copy of the Buros Mental

> Measurements http://www.unl.edu/buros/

Thanks, Tonya! I keep all these tips I get from my lists for when I

need them, so I appreciate it.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

If

you’re thinking it’s AS, then you must make sure to include some kind of

pragmatic language test. . . .Social Skills Survey or Test of Problem Solving.

.. . .also, really push to get an adaptive behavior scale test like the Vineland’s

done as well.

S.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Subject:

Need advice on school autism testing

Hi all. Kinda curious if anybody has any thoughts on our situation.

Some background... The school district will be doing another SPED

eval (their initiation) on our 14yo son with AS, specifically to

verify his autism and get more detail. As you might imagine, I have

added some things I want to make sure get covered, and I have provided

input I want to make sure gets considered. It should be a complete

eval. His last school SPED eval was to check for LDs and emotional

disturbance. His current AUT classification (with a 504 Plan--no IEP)

is coming from our private neuropsych eval we had done. He also has

moderate to severe developmental coordination disability (DCD), along

with the usual mix of sensory issues, poor emotional control, anxiety,

executive dysfunction. No hyperactivity and no aggressive behaviors.

He is very bright.

OK, now for my question... Public schools are known for giving kids

on the upper end of the spectrum tests that are only appropriate for

kids on the lower and middle of the spectrum and saying they don't

have autism when they don't find anything. I'm not saying that this

is going to happen with my school district, but I'm curious if anybody

has any ideas on how to avoid this?

Since they should not do any testing without our okay, I figure I can

check out the tests and make sure they are okay. I figure I can check

out the credentials of the person doing the testing and make sure they

are really qualified. I can make sure there is somebody on the ARD

team that truly understands the test results (a problem in the past).

Am I missing anything? Anybody have any BTDT to share? It would be

great to get some heads up on what to expect from school district

autism testing and ideas of caveats to look for.

Thanks!

Ruth

" You're

a shining star, no matter who you are.

Shining

bright to see, what you can truly be. "

Earth

Wind & Fire

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG.

Version: 7.5.549 / Virus Database: 270.9.9/1807 - Release Date: 11/23/2008

10:59 AM

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG.

Version: 7.5.549 / Virus Database: 270.9.9/1807 - Release Date: 11/23/2008 10:59 AM

[Guest guest]

>

> If you�re thinking it�s AS, then you must make sure to include some

kind of

> pragmatic language test. . . .Social Skills Survey or Test of Problem

> Solving. . . .also, really push to get an adaptive behavior scale

test like

> the Vineland�s done as well.

I guess I didn't phrase my questions very well, gee, what else is

new... We've already had extensive evaluating done--ourselves,

not the school--and the school has already accepted it. He was quite

definitively Asperger, and the school accepted that without fuss and

he is classified AUT. However, the school is having a lot of problems

interpreting his symptoms and figuring out what he needs. He is 14

and this has been going on ever since he entered school; in other

words, it is an ongoing thing which has never felt even remotely

solved. At the root of the problem is his high IQ. 1) Many people

can't wrap their brains around the concept that someone who is

intellectually gifted can even have LDs; they think if he can figure

out A, then he can figure out B. 2) Kids like this can

intellectualize around tests given to kids on the lower and middle

part of the spectrum, so testing them is even more complex than normal

autism testing. On the practical level, he's learned how to " act

normal " and give people the answers they want to hear; said people

rarely realize their chains are being yanked, even many medical

professionals. His poor communication skills only add to the confusion.

The school has never done any autism testing of their own with my son.

They didn't participate in any of the testing because none of the

administrators that were dealing with our son at the time had any

interest. The current administrators are not happy that the school

did not participate in the testing, and I guess that is why they want

to test now. Not to mention the fact that I'm sure there are legal

problems with them not ever having gone through the autism supplement

with this autistic student of theirs.

Anyway, so I have to be very careful about how they do this testing.

Like I said, schools are known for testing kids like my son with

inappropriate tests that only work for kids lower on the spectrum.

then they'll try to say they have been miraculously cured of autism

when they don't find anything. So, I'm searching for anybody who has

been through this and has any BTDT. Especially if you have any

specific tests or testing procedures that worked. I'm pretty sure the

ADOS and ADI-R are good for anywhere in the spectrum, if done by a

person who is familiar with the issues, but I doubt they'd want to

fund that. We've never had those tests done because the one person TX

children's say can do it for our son doesn't take our insurance. They

say that is the only person in the Houston area that could do it.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

What about Dr Harkins in San ?Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TDate: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:48:36 -0000To: <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >Subject: Re: Need advice on school autism testing > > If you�re thinking it�s AS, then you must make sure to include some kind of > pragmatic language test. . . .Social Skills Survey or Test of Problem > Solving. . . .also, really push to get an adaptive behavior scale test like > the Vineland�s done as well. I guess I didn't phrase my questions very well, gee, what else is new... We've already had extensive evaluating done--ourselves, not the school--and the school has already accepted it. He was quite definitively Asperger, and the school accepted that without fuss and he is classified AUT. However, the school is having a lot of problems interpreting his symptoms and figuring out what he needs. He is 14 and this has been going on ever since he entered school; in other words, it is an ongoing thing which has never felt even remotely solved. At the root of the problem is his high IQ. 1) Many people can't wrap their brains around the concept that someone who is intellectually gifted can even have LDs; they think if he can figure out A, then he can figure out B. 2) Kids like this can intellectualize around tests given to kids on the lower and middle part of the spectrum, so testing them is even more complex than normal autism testing. On the practical level, he's learned how to " act normal " and give people the answers they want to hear; said people rarely realize their chains are being yanked, even many medical professionals. His poor communication skills only add to the confusion. The school has never done any autism testing of their own with my son. They didn't participate in any of the testing because none of the administrators that were dealing with our son at the time had any interest. The current administrators are not happy that the school did not participate in the testing, and I guess that is why they want to test now. Not to mention the fact that I'm sure there are legal problems with them not ever having gone through the autism supplement with this autistic student of theirs. Anyway, so I have to be very careful about how they do this testing. Like I said, schools are known for testing kids like my son with inappropriate tests that only work for kids lower on the spectrum. then they'll try to say they have been miraculously cured of autism when they don't find anything. So, I'm searching for anybody who has been through this and has any BTDT. Especially if you have any specific tests or testing procedures that worked. I'm pretty sure the ADOS and ADI-R are good for anywhere in the spectrum, if done by a person who is familiar with the issues, but I doubt they'd want to fund that. We've never had those tests done because the one person TX children's say can do it for our son doesn't take our insurance. They say that is the only person in the Houston area that could do it. Ruth

[Guest guest]

>

> What about Dr Harkins in San ?

I imagine if they were going to fund someone from out-of-town they

would fund the TX Children's person. Thanks for the thought though.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Are you sure they "accepted it." Did they ever put in the minutes of a meeting that they accept the diagnosis that the parents private evaluation provided? If they just discussed it in an ARD meeting, it doesn't mean they ever "accepted" the diagnosis. Discussing it and providing a written document from them saying they accept the diagnosis are two different things.

Hilda

We've already had extensive evaluating done--ourselves,not the school--and the school has already accepted it. One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!

[Guest guest]

>

> Are you sure they " accepted it. " Did they ever put in the minutes

of a

> meeting that they accept the diagnosis that the parents private

evaluation

> provided?

Yes, his official classification is AUT and this is in writing. I'm

not exactly a newbie at this and I went through all the proper

channels.

One thing parents on the upper end of the spectrum need to be careful

about is that what is considered at 504 meetings doesn't necessarily

" have " to be carried over to an ARD, so one needs to be sure to

re-present information that is pertinent. This applies if your child

ends up going back and forth between having a 504 Plan and having an IEP.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

I did not mean to insult you. I know how manipulative Conroe ISD is and right now they are pulling crap with me saying that they didn't agree to audiotape all parent meetings, but the individual who agreed to do the parent training did, and since I asked her to be reassigned, the new person doesn't have to audiotape which is just a bunch of crap. I've since told the director what her choices are in the matter, and I've told the parent trainer that if she decides not to choose either of the two then I would be taping the meetings with a concealed recorder and thanked her so much for ruining the trust Ms. Hartley has tried to hard to build over the last year with this single act. So in my next ARD I'll have to make them even more nitpicky with their word choices. That all parent training and all meetings are mutually audiotaped regardless of the personnel involved.

So you have an IEP -- have they never addressed the autism supplement? That is mandatory. If you have an IEP, they have to address it. How are they getting away with not not addressing it (assuming you have an IEP, too).

I know nothing about 504. Can't add anything in that realm.

Hilda

Yes, his official classification is AUT and this is in writing. I'mnot exactly a newbie at this and I went through all the properchannels. One thing parents on the upper end of the spectrum need to be carefulabout is that what is considered at 504 meetings doesn't necessarily"have" to be carried over to an ARD, so one needs to be sure tore-present information that is pertinent. This applies if your childends up going back and forth between having a 504 Plan and having an IEP.One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!

[Guest guest]

>

> I did not mean to insult you. I know how manipulative Conroe ISD is

and

> right now they are pulling crap with me saying that they didn't

agree to

> audiotape all parent meetings, but the individual who agreed to do

the parent

> training did, and since I asked her to be reassigned, the new person

doesn't have

> to audiotape which is just a bunch of crap.

No problems here, Hilda. I think they are beyond manipulative. I ask

myself over and over again why they have to make everything so hard,

wonder how certain ones can look at themselves in the mirror. I

wonder if they ever think of the effect their actions have on our

whole families lives and feel bad for at least a second.

I would send warm fuzzy thoughts your way, but the fuzzies keep

turning into bombs of some sort and veering off toward the school.

So, I guess I'd better stop before I hurt somebody LOL.

> So you have an IEP -- have they never addressed the autism

supplement? That

> is mandatory.

My son doesn't have an IEP, although we've had ARDs where we've been

turned down for one. I'm pretty sure they are supposed to address the

autism supplement the minute they find out a student has autism under

child find. I got tired of spending incredible amounts of time and

energy pushing them, so I've been sitting back (comparatively

speaking) and letting them hang themselves/figure it out for

themselves--how you see it depends on how cynical of a mood you're in.

It is actually working a lot better, a lot faster, than I thought it

would.

Ruth