ADHD+ASD should child be unmedicated during neuropsych/IEE?

[Anonymous]

Dr. says no stimulant on days of testing. Is this common? Did anyone else hear this?

It sounds like a recipe for disaster. We are trying to pinpoint issues our 15-yo son has while still taking Vyvanse, such as processing speed and inability to complete tasks. Without the medicine? I can’t imagine.

[Anonymous]

Our evaluator told us the opposite.

If your child doesn't take the meds that you know he needs, the only thing the testing will tell you is that he needs meds. Presumably you want to know what else he needs.

The exception, I guess, is if you think the meds are meeting all his needs, you have no additional concerns, and you are just doing testing in order to get accommodations.

[Anonymous]

That’s a normal request. Do what the doctor says.

[Anonymous]

So sometimes meds are requested during testing, and sometimes they aren’t. Both instances are quite normal but you should listen to the doctor in both cases because they’re looking at specific and sometimes very different things when requesting it either way.

[Anonymous]

I think it would be fine to go back to the doctor to clarify--you're spending a lot of $$ here, and you want it to make sure you understand what's happening and why.

[Anonymous]

We were told the opposite. ADHD was unquestionably present. We were specifically testing for other disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Definitely double check with the practice

[Anonymous]

Thank you all. Ped diagnosed ADHD. Neuropsych wants no meds on day of testing, but this is for an IEE, so I’m feeling a bit paranoid(?), like maybe they’re going to try to say he does not have what ped diagnosed 10 years ago and has been treating for 10 years.
Or, we’ll have to do another neuropsych after this one. And that will be $$$$ of course.
-OP

[Anonymous]

It sounds odd to me, and I would clarify the purpose of the testing. Are you looking for a diagnosis, or information to plan educationally? If it’s educational, you want to see what his best efforts look like. I also would not want my kid to upset during the testing by knowing he’s not going a good job and not being able to help himself.

[Anonymous]

Ahh, I can understand being paranoid if an IEE. But if you still feel that your child has ADHD, it would only reinforce the diagnosis to see them unmedicated. Unfortunately, you also wouldn't get the full picture of their capability if doing something like an IQ test.

[Anonymous]

He is testing all day today unmedicated. He has called me crying 4 times already. Not a good day. Regretting public school. Private was also quite bad though. UGH.
-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. Ped diagnosed ADHD. Neuropsych wants no meds on day of testing, but this is for an IEE, so I’m feeling a bit paranoid(?), like maybe they’re going to try to say he does not have what ped diagnosed 10 years ago and has been treating for 10 years.
Or, we’ll have to do another neuropsych after this one. And that will be $$$$ of course.
-OP

If you're getting an IEE, that likely means that you were denied an IEP after the school's evaluation. In that case, I can see why the evaluator might want your kid to be at his worst during the evaluation, to increase the chances of showing an impact. Unfortunately, you may need to choose between an evaluation that shows the need for an IEP and am evaluation that provides actual information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. Ped diagnosed ADHD. Neuropsych wants no meds on day of testing, but this is for an IEE, so I’m feeling a bit paranoid(?), like maybe they’re going to try to say he does not have what ped diagnosed 10 years ago and has been treating for 10 years.
Or, we’ll have to do another neuropsych after this one. And that will be $$$$ of course.
-OP

If you're getting an IEE, that likely means that you were denied an IEP after the school's evaluation. In that case, I can see why the evaluator might want your kid to be at his worst during the evaluation, to increase the chances of showing an impact. Unfortunately, you may need to choose between an evaluation that shows the need for an IEP and am evaluation that provides actual information.

I kind of worry for OP that this kind of thinking could backfire in that the school can say that the results are invalid. Regardless, I’d think the parents should be more involved in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. Ped diagnosed ADHD. Neuropsych wants no meds on day of testing, but this is for an IEE, so I’m feeling a bit paranoid(?), like maybe they’re going to try to say he does not have what ped diagnosed 10 years ago and has been treating for 10 years.
Or, we’ll have to do another neuropsych after this one. And that will be $$$$ of course.
-OP

If you're getting an IEE, that likely means that you were denied an IEP after the school's evaluation. In that case, I can see why the evaluator might want your kid to be at his worst during the evaluation, to increase the chances of showing an impact. Unfortunately, you may need to choose between an evaluation that shows the need for an IEP and am evaluation that provides actual information.

I kind of worry for OP that this kind of thinking could backfire in that the school can say that the results are invalid. Regardless, I’d think the parents should be more involved in the process.

Since schools aren't allowed to consider medication when evaluating eligibility for an IEP, I don't think they could say that. But regardless of the results, they could still find no academic impact. I agree that parents should be as involved as possible.

[Anonymous]

The assessment is but one piece of the qualification puzzle op. Horrible scores alone will not be sufficient to qualify. So, follow whatever advice you've been given regarding the testing. Then, think about evidence of the educational impact of whatever results you receive.