My son has an IEP/is getting services, but no medical diagnosis ... when to get him (re)tested

[Anonymous]

So as not to hijack the several other threads asking about psycho-ed v. neuropsych v. diagnostic pediatrician, am posting my version of this tale.

When DS was barely 3, he was tested by the school psychologist. She thought he was on the spectrum, and DS has been in special ed public pre-school for 2 years (in N. VA). Shortly thereafter, Chuck Conlon saw him and was not ready to say that he was on the spectrum.

Fast forward 2 years: Conlon's gone off into the sunset, and my DS is largely doing well, and headed for gen pop kindergarten come the fall. He has some sensory issues, particularly where controlling his body is concerned, and hitting is sometimes an issue. Is now the right time to find another doctor and have him tested/diagnosed? Will the diagnosis be more reliable if we wait another year?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes, get him tested with a neuro-psych. Once he gets into elementary school they will require testing so he can have an IEP - at least our MoCo public did. MoCo will do their own testing but its not as thorough as a private psychologist would do. also, you want a totally objective person to do the testing, so as to make sure that his school is giving him every possible and appropriate accommodation based on his needs. If you leave it up to the school, they will do the bare minimum and provide the bare minimum...if you feel he needs more than the bare minimum then its worth shelling out the bucks.

[Anonymous]

PS - in terms of waiting another year. it really depends on how gray the lines are with your DS. If you think the picture is much clearer since Conlan then have it done this year. if you feel its still a questionable DX, wait until 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. It's hard to tell if some of the potential problems I'm seeing are transient or not, but he has certainly progressed by leaps and bounds in the last two years.

[Anonymous]

OP,

If he was in the special ed preschool, will he still have an IEP/qualify for services for K? If he does, you may want to wait on the testing. If a diagnosis would actually net you something, e.g., services, special program, then do it now.

Either way, I would finding therapies outside of school to help him with the sensory/regulatory, e.g., OT.

For us the visits to the developmental pediatrician/neuropsychologist were the points where we were at the crossroads--we didn't know what the issues were or what the next steps would be. It sounds like you've taken appropriate actions and have a handle on what his issues are. Would a diagnosis at this point change what you're doing?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 00:23. He'll still have an IEP. Although it seems to be transient, the hitting (of teachers and students) earlier this week really threw me. It dawned on me that we have no diagnosis and that maybe there's a behavioral aspect that we need to focus on in the IEP. But because it's never come up before, I was at a loss. He does get OT in school. Do you think more/different OT might help?

At this point, I plan to sit down with a neuropsych. to talk, but not bring along DS. I just want to be sure that all the bases are covered.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? We are in DC and have never had a diagnosis. Still have IEP.

[Anonymous]

Northern VA. My only concern is that we've been proceeding as if this is autism. If the recent behavior is connected with ADD or ADHD, we might need to think about different interventions.

thx.

[Anonymous]

00:23 here. Whether he gets a diagnosis or not, it's sounds like you need to address the hitting. I would imagine the school could add a behavioral goal even without a diagnosis if this is a chronic problem. If it's not an ongoing problem and just happened a few isolated times, it may not be necessary to add a goal.

The psychologist who you're meeting with may have some suggestions, but I would consider additional OT therapy outside of school to help him learn to regulate himself in the short term. Private OT practices can address more than what can be provides in school.

If behavioral problems are emerging, testing now might be helpful to determine why. Kids hit for various reasons--regulatory, impulse control, anxiety, frustration from inability to express themselves b/c of a speech delay. I would send all the original reports that you have ahead of time to the psychologist as well.