Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
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Anonymous
Private. |
Anonymous
You should be ashamed of yourself. It simply isn’t true that kids are getting counseled out these days for adhd that is being treated. You know what they do get counseled out for — unexplained behavioral issues. |
Anonymous
I’m the PP who had a terrible experience getting counseled out. My experience is that our school was not willing to work with us while we figured it out. And at 5, even with the teacher reports we struggled to get a diagnosis- our diagnosing physician wanted to see a second set of testing because my child is very bright, had no academic difficulties and was great in person with a friendly engaging physician. We got the diagnosis about 6 months after that but he did not want to medicate at that age for what he observed. The school didn’t care- they wanted a child who say still all day and were completely unwilling to implement any of the accommodations our public did from the get go. I am sure there are privates that are more helpful, especially if the child comes in diagnosed and medicated but our experience, and that of other families at that school that I heard about later was that they did one thing and if that didn’t work for your kid you had to go. |
Anonymous
| It’s private boo |
Anonymous
I’d start with a developmental pediatrician— and keep in mind that this is fairly early in a significant adjustment/transition from four half days a week to a new environment with 5 days a week and full days. The developmental pediatrician might recommend assessments and OT. I’d want to see how his skills look against age norms — as well as the expectations of his class. I’d also be curious re: the other classmates— if it’s a mix of kids from other schools or if there’s a large cohort from the same school, and/ or who are already used to the full day / 5 days a week schedule, and possibly other aspects of the school environment. As you’ve described it, I don’t view the crying as a huge deal, but rather as a skill to work on and as something to be monitored. I’d also look at his schedule— comparing it with previous schedules, and be alert for patterns. (Do problems seem to happen when he’s tired, or when he’s had more structured activities, or when he’s doing certain kinds of tasks or responding to certain types of environmental demands … things like that.). I think the graphomotor skills should be assessed, and interventions might — or might not follow from the assessment. If the developmental pediatrician and/or the OT therapist recommend a neuropsych assessment then I’d say go for it, as it will provide useful information. If they don’t, my question would be: What questions do you and the school have that a neuropsych assessment can answer? I’d also (personal preference) give it at least 3-4 months in a new setting vs 2 - 3 — and do a fair amount of communication with the teachers regarding his progress and responses to classroom interventions. So: more data from the classroom before seeking formal testing. |
Anonymous
Note: I’m the person who originally asked these questions, and I’m responding to your / OP’s question re: where I — personally— would start. |
Anonymous
You are a shameful weirdo. |
Anonymous
Your single anecdotal experience does not negate the fact that MOST privates do not want to accommodate students with special needs and unlike public schools are not legally required to do so. |
Anonymous
| I think in evaluation with an OT is a great start. As a former childhood educator I would not expect those type of outbursts from a six year old have been in school since two unless they were some underlying issues. |
Anonymous
Omg. Absolutely wrong. |
Anonymous
| One of the issues is that his behavior with the outbursts is not moderated by being around other kids. What would be more typical is that a kid this age, esp one who is “older” for the year in school, would be responding to the presence of an audience in ways that made the outbursts less common rather than more. That would give me pause in your shoes, OP. |
Anonymous
Huh, I have had kids at two different private schools and they have friends at many others. Between them, literally know dozens of kids with adhd at top private schools. For other learning differences, it’s more school specific. There are definitely mainstream, but not most rigorous academic schools, that are known for taking kids with other learning differences, like dyslexia if the child otherwise meets the school’s academic standards. If your kid has adhd and you are not willing to consider medication, agree that public school likely better option. People on this thread put way too much emphasis on whether kid has “label.” You aren’t going to mask a condition by not getting it diagnosed, especially if the school is the one bringing it to your attention. |
Anonymous
yeah except for it will take at least 6 months to get a developmental pediatrician appointment… |
Anonymous
It wouldn’t take me that long, and since you don’t identify yourself as the OP, you really have no idea what resources the family has access to. |
Anonymous
Fine motor skills not being as developed as expected and these meltdowns over sharing toys at 6 would raise a red flag. |