Evaluation, diagnosis, and classroom environment

[Guest guest]

's post prompted me to post for more information as my son's situation is quite similar and I'm stuck with where to go from here. He is 5, in a self-contained kindergarten class for K-3 behavior disorder (which I don't think is appropriate but is working and I'll expand on in a bit). He was diagnosed right before his 3rd birthday with sensory processing disorder and right after his 3rd birthday with ADHD. The ADHD was really a no-brainer for us and he started medication then which has really made a difference. Shortly thereafter he started special ed pre-k through the school system.

About a year ago we moved a few hours north and had to get new doctors. We went to a child psych facility by a local university that was recommended to continue my son's ADHD meds/treatment. We left the initial evaluation with a very unexpected diagnosis of PDD-NOS. We followed up with a developmental pediatrician and an autism specialist (both with the same university) and they do not believe my son qualifies for an autism spectrum diagnosis (they had the same "it's the ADHD" argument as to why it's not asperger's).

After the trials and tribulations of starting kindergarten we've realized just how much the sensory issues play into my son's behavior and learning. My interest in learning more about how to help my son with the sensory issues keeps bringing me back to asperger's, and the more I learn about asperger's the more I see my son:

· He is extremely impulsive and "scavenges" for bits of anything to pick-up when he's stressed out.

· He is constantly engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations (his first pre-K teacher often lovingly said he had ADHD of the mouth!).

· He shows an intense interest in one or two subjects, although those subjects may rotate every few months, and he is not very coordinated.

· He has always preferred playing alone or near another child, but only really plays with another child if they want to play the way he wants to play. And if the box that a toy came in shows how the toy could be played with, don't you dare suggest that there is another way to play with the toy (he's getting better at this but it's still an issue).

· He is extremely bright (no IQ test but it is speculated to be above average).

So now that I've babbled on and on, here are the questions I'm struggling with…

1. My son will be re-evaluated for special ed services this school year because his current "disability" is developmental delay and that classification expires at age 6. Will the school's re-evaluation include the ability to diagnose asperger's or should I seek a 3rd medical opinion.

2. What kind of classroom environment is your child with asperger's in? Right now the only way we could get my son into a smaller classroom was to go with the behavioral disorder class. However, I think this really is wrong for him and moving forward I want to lobby for something else. The one benefit to this classroom is that with the age range of kids the teacher typically teaches the 2nd grade curriculum which is what my son needs to be challenged. I think that the LRE for him truly would be a regular ed/gifted classroom with a small number of students (less than 15) and a quieter environment, possibly with an aide.

I've been reading the posts on this group for awhile now and have really learned a lot. I'm hoping that some of the more experienced parents will be able to help me out.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

, my daughter did not get a AS DX until she was 9.

I had to see a neuropschologist. She had other issues besides Attention issues

that the neuropsch test found. By process of elimation the therapist said the

best DX was AS not anxiety or ADHD.

I brought the neuropsch social information. I bought a pocket recorder and

recorded a few social conversations with peers. Regardless of what a kid brought

up she brought the conversation back to her special interest. When my daughter

is talking to an adult

she can appear very capable.

Schools cannot evaulate for AS. They can suspect it and agree

to pay for the nueropsy test but few schools do.

My daughter was always very anxious in school and finally

had a breakdown in public school in 5th grade. There is

so much schools can do to help our kids. Some go to special

ed classes just to be in a small group.

You may be able to get him into a mainstream class that has

a second teacher to assist him and others. My daughter

was in this setting from 4th - 5th. But the teachers

where so persistent with her needing to keep on task

and she feel apart.

Our therapist advocated for a small middle school for kids

with spec needs. I don't recommend that unless it is

necessaary. She has a long commute everyday and the

kids are from towns far away making socializing hard.

Good luck,

Pam