Confused/upset about OT eval report

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"global delay" usually refers to intellectual functioning

I would consider seeing a developmental pediatrician

my kid has DCD and basically we do lots of OT

Global means delays in all areas such as gross motor, fine motor, speech, etc. It is not a code word for ID or something else.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"global delay" usually refers to intellectual functioning

I would consider seeing a developmental pediatrician

my kid has DCD and basically we do lots of OT

Global means delays in all areas such as gross motor, fine motor, speech, etc. It is not a code word for ID or something else.

From the DSM V:
"315.8 Global developmental delay
Pertains to those under 5 years old whose intellectual functioning can not be systematically assessed."

That does not mean that it refers to intellectual functioning.

[Anonymous]

OP, my 4 year old had the same kind of report; it completely freaked me out and made it sound like he was severely delayed. I sent it to good friend who's one child has a lot of similar needs and she told me that when you read through the clinical language, they were actually saying his needs were fairly mild. Could the same be happening with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got the OT evaluation for my three year old and its pretty doom and gloom. Very poor fine motor, gross motor, poor balance, possible midline issues, attention issues, motor planning, and some sensory stuff. But when I asked the evaluator at the end of the session if she thought I should see a dev ped (we are, soon), she said "Oh no, its not anything global or anything." I am confused - it sounds like my child has some pretty major issues, and we will of course be seeing the dev ped. I am just confused now and upset. I know more information is good but I think I just feel overwhelmed and sad.

Also, has your child had issues like these and "overcome"/been able to thrive with them? what supports did you need? I know that is vague but I am not sure how else to ask.

An OT is not qualified to assess whether something is "global" or not. They are only qualified to assess physical/movement skills. They are not qualified to assess intellectual functioning, or medical or neurological issues that might be causing any of the physical skill delays they are seeing.

That your OT would discourage you from seeing a developmental pediatrician and would so blithely rule out any other possible delays or causes raises a red flag, IME. I would really consider whether this person is experienced and qualified enough and whether their assessment is accurate.