Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a school employee (not teacher) on page one and I bet it’s private school and it’s the first step in counseling you out. Your kid is fine, they just want easy, “advanced” kids.
Reading on to find out…

After reading more, do you maintain your conclusion that the kid is pretty normal and the school is just trying to counsel him out?

I’m a different teacher. Not possible for us to say. We don’t see the kid and we don’t know what the teachers see. So he may have concerns and issues, he may not, but the salient point is if they’re telling OP to get a neuropsych, they’re trying to push her son out. If the neuropsych reveals he has learning disabilities or special needs guess what- they don’t have to accommodate him and don’t want to. Privates don’t deal with IEPs, so they’re not trying to get him one - this is step one of trying to get him out of the school.

If she doesn’t get the neuropsych, or it’s not atypical, they’re going to eventually tell her he’s still struggling and it’s not a good fit.

You don’t know what you are talking about. My kid was at a very rigorous academic private and they were supportive in meeting her needs with respect to ADHD and slow processing. In fact, we had a much easier time getting accommodations then friends in public because we did not have to deal with a bureaucracy.

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.

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.

this kind of extremely mild ADHD is really not what anyone is talking about when they talk about getting counseled out. it’s often not really even ADHD.

[Anonymous]

First, take him to a pediatric ophthalmologist. It could have something to do with his vision.

[Anonymous]

Also, have the student checked for severe constipation. Sometimes behavioral issues are related to that.

[Anonymous]

Not reading all of these posts, but good lord. He’s six! Why do we expect six year olds to act like adults? Most adults can’t/won’t regulate their emotions ALL the time. I’m an adult and though it happens rarely I have certainly cried tears of frustration on more than one occasion.

This need our society has to pathologize every single childhood behavior that is anything other than “ideal” is alarming.

[Anonymous]

I teach a child that is similar to your description and the same age. He is an only child and I suspect because of the pandemic, his parents don’t have a lot of experience with “typical” child behaviors. It your child an only?

[Anonymous]

It's premature. Seems like a waste to spend $3000 when he might improve as time goes on.

[Anonymous]

Our DD is 6, almost 7. I haven’t read all the posts but I’d say getting tested for things / info to help your child is generally helpful. That said, a neuropsych exam can be so expensive (my understanding).

We have done or are doing: school based testing at age 3 to see if she needed accommodations (needed speech); OT; developmental pediatrician and, for a few weeks now, psychiatrist who also does therapy / counseling. I was skeptical about the latter but there are things it’s already helped with. She goes weekly and recently graduated speech therapy. I have ADD and wouldn’t be surprised if she does as well, but we have no diagnosis yet for her various challenges. If teachers are suggesting you have your child checked I think you should, or at least explore other evaluation options.

[Anonymous]

The neuropsych or public-school district testing process will not hurt DC, but not having the information necessary to help DC learn, grow, and thrive could be detrimental in the long term. I know it's hard, OP, but cling to your clear desire to do what is best for your child and seek testing. Fearing the results is often much scarier than actually living with them.

- Signed, a parent whose DC was referred for testing and who got actionable results and a long but ultimately positive journey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a public school teacher I agree this is a private school issue. Otherwise they would suggest an examination with developmental pediatrician and/or refer for evaluation through the school process (usually it’s this one). If so, OP, this is likely a push out of the private school.

A public would go through child find.

[Anonymous]

Because this is a private school, I wouldn’t bother with the evaluation and would instead focus on finding a new school. This place is not going to treat your child well. (Don’t take it personally, it’s them, not you!)

I’m curious if your school suggested a specific place where you should get the evaluation done. If yes, it almost sounds like they’ve got a side gig going.

Now, in public school, I’d take it seriously and listen to all suggestions and advice.