Recs for ADHD eval, not full psychoeducational battery?

[Anonymous]

DD is 13 and had the whole shebang testing at age 8, which revealed ADHD, high IQ, and relatively slow processing speed compared to her intelligence. She also has subsequently been diagnosed with anxiety. She has been given the accommodation of extra testing time in the past and it really helps in that she just simply isn't able to indicate what she knows in the "typical" amount of time. In looking forward to high school and all of the College Board testing that is in her future, I know we need to update the testing to some extent but could use your expertise as to how best to go about that.

My questions:

1) Do I have to repeat the entire battery of testing, which cost nearly $3k or can I have a psychologist focus in on the ADHD, which is the only criteria that was used in determining the accommodations in the past? (Since the battery is only "good" for 3 years, I would like to wait another year so that she will be covered for the major tests she will encounter in 11th grade and doesn't have to do the extensive testing again right when applying for college.)

2) Are there any public school system resources for getting this testing done? We live in Fairfax County but DD attends a small Catholic school that doesn't offer any testing.

3) If I can just get the ADHD eval and have to do it with a private practitioner, do you have any recommendations for testers? The psychologist we used last time made it very clear that she insists on the entire battery.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Anonymous]

I think you can ask the public school to test, however if she's 13 and she last had testing when she was 8, I would do the whole shebang over again. (We got half back of the cost through our health insurance.)

[Anonymous]

Getting accommodations for ADHD and extra time from the College Board is not easy. I think you will need to do the entire battery to make your case.

That said, you generally should apply through your school. Consult the guidance counselor/coordinator who handles your child's 504/IEP (dependig on which you have) for advice.

Here's the college board's information on what they need to see in a request including recommended tests. https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities/documentation-guidelines/adhd

[Anonymous]

You will likely need the full battery. Can you go back to whomever did the intial battery?

[Anonymous]

We applied for accommodations for College Board tests for PSAT, first taken in 10th grade, spring of DC's freshman year. The accommodations granted are for his entire HS career for all College Board tests. DC had his last evaluation in 8th grade at the age of 13.

If your DC is not currently receiving accommodations in her school when you apply ( and for several years prior), it is unlikely that the College Board will grant the accommodations.

If you want accommodations for college, those have to be done after the student is 16 as they require adult versions of tests that are not done prior to that. So, you will have to do it again anyway.

[Anonymous]

We just went through the college board accommodations process, first without extra testing and were denied in spite of a 10 year history of the accommodations being requested and a 504 documentation. Then my DD had a full neuropsych eval, we appealed and she was granted all needed accommodations. Her issues are similar to your child's plus some medical issues. The new testing was useful for other reasons too and she just took PSAT with the full accommodations and was so happy. When she took it in 10th grade, she wasn't able to finish any section. This time it felt so much better to her. In the end, our insurance also paid for the testing because of the medical issues. It wouldn't have for educational reasons alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just went through the college board accommodations process, first without extra testing and were denied in spite of a 10 year history of the accommodations being requested and a 504 documentation. Then my DD had a full neuropsych eval, we appealed and she was granted all needed accommodations. Her issues are similar to your child's plus some medical issues. The new testing was useful for other reasons too and she just took PSAT with the full accommodations and was so happy. When she took it in 10th grade, she wasn't able to finish any section. This time it felt so much better to her. In the end, our insurance also paid for the testing because of the medical issues. It wouldn't have for educational reasons alone.

Do you mind explaining about the difference between medical issues and educational issues for insurance coverage purposes?
TIA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just went through the college board accommodations process, first without extra testing and were denied in spite of a 10 year history of the accommodations being requested and a 504 documentation. Then my DD had a full neuropsych eval, we appealed and she was granted all needed accommodations. Her issues are similar to your child's plus some medical issues. The new testing was useful for other reasons too and she just took PSAT with the full accommodations and was so happy. When she took it in 10th grade, she wasn't able to finish any section. This time it felt so much better to her. In the end, our insurance also paid for the testing because of the medical issues. It wouldn't have for educational reasons alone.

Do you mind explaining about the difference between medical issues and educational issues for insurance coverage purposes?
TIA

Not PP, but insurance companies usually will not pay for educational testing but will pay for medical testing. Testing for ADHD is considered to be medical. Testing for LDs is not. Anxiety and depression are medical.

[Anonymous]

What types of specialists can test for adhd?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What types of specialists can test for adhd?

Educational psychologists, LCSWs, psychiatrists among others. You want more than a Conners- either a TOVA or an IVA.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for your helpful replies. DD does have a history of extra testing time through her school back to the first battery of tests at age 8 but -- understandably -- I know the standard for College Board testing is higher. The whole shebang it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks so much for your helpful replies. DD does have a history of extra testing time through her school back to the first battery of tests at age 8 but -- understandably -- I know the standard for College Board testing is higher. The whole shebang it is.

If the extra testing is in the past and not current, it will be a minimal factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What types of specialists can test for adhd?

Educational psychologists, LCSWs, psychiatrists among others. You want more than a Conners- either a TOVA or an IVA.

An LCSW can't perform psychological testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks so much for your helpful replies. DD does have a history of extra testing time through her school back to the first battery of tests at age 8 but -- understandably -- I know the standard for College Board testing is higher. The whole shebang it is.

This is great! I'm glad you found the information helpful.

This is such an important time for your DD, the whole shebang will make for a much easier future for her---especially with all of the college pressure mounting. You've just taken all of that anxiety away, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What types of specialists can test for adhd?

Educational psychologists, LCSWs, psychiatrists among others. You want more than a Conners- either a TOVA or an IVA.

An LCSW can't perform psychological testing.

They can administer the Conner, TOVA and the IVA.