If you have older kids, HS and above, did your child's trajectory match what was laid out by evaluators?

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering how often these evaluators are correct. If they predicted your child would need a specialized program throughout was it true?

[Anonymous]

They never gave me any info at all, despite asking. I don’t think they know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They never gave me any info at all, despite asking. I don’t think they know.

+1 I don't know anyone who's gotten a 'trajectory'.

[Anonymous]

It's come up in several other threads.

[Anonymous]

Trajectory has come up totally different. DC had neuropsych evaluation in first grade at a big psych firm (mentioned often on this forum) and evaluation said he was at wrong school, had ADHD, possible autism, language issues etc. Future seemed so bleak and psychologist seemed so sure of herself. Basically she thought DC should be placed in a special school. We never believed any of it and worked with our child with OT, speech therapist and tutors. Fast forward to DC now thriving in high school. Yes, it has not been easy, but I never lost hope and there are some learning issues/disability that remains. Psychologist was completely wrong.

[Anonymous]

Some yes some no. Some were completely right. Some completely wrong

[Anonymous]

My child has struggled more with anxiety/mental health issues than could have been predicted when he was first diagnosed with autism at age 5. But otherwise his pattern of academic and social strengths and needs for support have remained consistent -- he's in 11th grade now and in a very similar kind of school as for kindergarten, a small SN-light private (although obviously not the same school).

[Anonymous]

We had never gotten any sort of prediction or trajectory. In many schools and many more evals.

[Anonymous]

They were dead wrong. DS did much better than they predicted, but we also all worked really, really hard so he could achieve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They were dead wrong. DS did much better than they predicted, but we also all worked really, really hard so he could achieve.

Same here for both of my boys. It was really hard work and a whole family commitment.

[Anonymous]

My son is 16 and looking back, there were so many really incompetent people who gave us bad advice. It’s like anything else, some were great and some weren’t, some were effective and others seemed to do more harm than good. I’m talking about service providers, doctors, teachers, coaches, therapists…

Both with my kid with SN and my kid who is NT what I’ve learned is they will always surprise you and you never know what the future will hold.

[Anonymous]

Our neuropsych was completely spot on. I wish I did exactly what she recommended when my child was 7 but we eventually got her there and all is good. Educational outcomes will be consistent with her thoughts ( college).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They were dead wrong. DS did much better than they predicted, but we also all worked really, really hard so he could achieve.

My child and I worked hard too, even if she isn't traditionally successful. Achievement is not only a result of hard work. Parents of kids with disabilities should understand that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were dead wrong. DS did much better than they predicted, but we also all worked really, really hard so he could achieve.

My child and I worked hard too, even if she isn't traditionally successful. Achievement is not only a result of hard work. Parents of kids with disabilities should understand that.

I don’t think anyone disagrees with you! Achievement is relative to each person.

We also have had very bleak advice and recommendations from our pediatrician, dev ped, the psychologists who did our DD’s neuropsych and other testing, etc.

As a PP said, it has been a whole family effort, but she had proven their predictions to be unnecessarily dire.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are going to get a sampling error. Trajectory is what the *average* child with that profile will achieve. As has been mentioned above, DCUM is a magnet for the most devoted parents. I spend $320/month on therapy, plus a couple hundred more on therapeutic activities. I read to the very end of the Internet, looking for any tip, anything that can help my son. So, hopefully, he’ll do better than the average kid with his disabilities.