Autism testing by school without consent

[Anonymous]

Our son's elementary school tested him for autism without our consent. The IEP team claims we consented during our last meeting during which testing for continued eligibility was discussed. We of course consented to testing for continued eligibility for services, but the word autism was never mentioned. As a parent of a child who has not been diagnosed with ASD, I would have remembered that. I realized it later when they sent the tests home. I objected, saying we didn't consent to this. (We decided to do the testing privately instead, at the suggestion of some on this forum). They continued to state that we consented verbally during the IEP meeting, despite our saying we didn't, but then they said that they wouldn't do any more testing for autism. Well, we just got the results of the testing and it says we consented and revoked our consent after some testing had already been done. They then reported the results of the autism testing based on incomplete test results, which I think it is even worse than if they had done a complete test and report.

Anyone deal with this issue? I try to maintain a good a relationship with the school, but this complete disregard for our wishes angers me.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. What're the name of the testing battery they used? In general when you go for testing, you do not know in advance what the diagnosis will be. Clinicians offere a variety of tests, and one score leads to another type of test, ruling out some possible diagnosis and arriving at others. How old is your child and what was the previous diagnosis that qualified him or her for special education to begin with?

[Anonymous]

Testing for Autism may be included during psychological testing if other test batteries, teacher feedback, and/or behavior during testing suggests a need to do so. You do not consent for testing for specific diagnoses. You consent that testing can be done in the following areas: educational, psychological, speech-language, OT, PT, etc. These general areas are discussed. General, broad, testing is done by each relevant area to start, and depending on the results, more specific tests are added. They can't know a diagnosis in advance, nor are they looking for one. Schools do not make diagnoses, they look for areas of impact to determine a code, but it is not a medical diagnosis. They may give the code of Autism, but they really are only saying that the student displays characteristics that are similar to those who do have Autism. This will only be the code if they believe it is what has the *most* impact (not the *only impact, but federal law requires that they pick a primary area for the code).

[Anonymous]

When you give permission to evaluate you don't get to say that they can evaluate for x but not y. You basically open the door and the psychologist and others see where the data goes.

I'd register unhappiness with using incomplete data to draw a conclusion and ask for an IEE. You can submit your own examination as well. What did your private testing find?

[Anonymous]

PP, here. Also, when you received the forms at home, they were also sent out to teachers. So, teachers completed the forms and returned them to the school who is obligated to document everything that was done. The school psychologist is a licensed profession who cannot jeopardize his/her license because you do not want the info reported in the report. However, you can ask them to add to the report that you disagree with the findings. The work was completed, however, and needs to be documented. They cannot pretend that the teacher feedback does not exist. That is not ethical.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you are more upset that autism is a possible diagnosis for your son than you are about the testing itself. Maybe take some time to digest the information first.

[Anonymous]

I actually didn't know the school system would test for autism. A school psychologist with a masters degree isn't really qualified.

I would just go forward with the private testing.

[Anonymous]

I think it is only your opinion that the school psychologist is not qualified. The testing instruments are the same as would be used elsewhere. And, remember, this is not a diagnosis. It is simply an educational code.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is only your opinion that the school psychologist is not qualified. The testing instruments are the same as would be used elsewhere. And, remember, this is not a diagnosis. It is simply an educational code.

that's really not true. the ADOS requires a lot of training to administer -- it's not like a blood test. I would never let a school psychologist perform it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you are more upset that autism is a possible diagnosis for your son than you are about the testing itself. Maybe take some time to digest the information first.

that's not true. she wants to control who does the testing, which is reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you give permission to evaluate you don't get to say that they can evaluate for x but not y. You basically open the door and the psychologist and others see where the data goes.

I'd register unhappiness with using incomplete data to draw a conclusion and ask for an IEE. You can submit your own examination as well. What did your private testing find?

pretty sure that's not true that you have to consent to any testing they want to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you give permission to evaluate you don't get to say that they can evaluate for x but not y. You basically open the door and the psychologist and others see where the data goes.

I'd register unhappiness with using incomplete data to draw a conclusion and ask for an IEE. You can submit your own examination as well. What did your private testing find?

pretty sure that's not true that you have to consent to any testing they want to do.

Read 6:30. She described it well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you are more upset that autism is a possible diagnosis for your son than you are about the testing itself. Maybe take some time to digest the information first.

that's not true. she wants to control who does the testing, which is reasonable.

Reading comprehension is your friend. She states she did consent to testing, but it turns out she doesn't understand how testing works and now she's upset about the outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you give permission to evaluate you don't get to say that they can evaluate for x but not y. You basically open the door and the psychologist and others see where the data goes.

I'd register unhappiness with using incomplete data to draw a conclusion and ask for an IEE. You can submit your own examination as well. What did your private testing find?

pretty sure that's not true that you have to consent to any testing they want to do.

Read 6:30. She described it well.

She didn't cite to any law or regs. Parents are well within their rights to refuse a specific test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you are more upset that autism is a possible diagnosis for your son than you are about the testing itself. Maybe take some time to digest the information first.

that's not true. she wants to control who does the testing, which is reasonable.

Reading comprehension is your friend. She states she did consent to testing, but it turns out she doesn't understand how testing works and now she's upset about the outcome.

No. You don't consent to "testing" and then they get to do whatever they want and you have no say. What if they wanted to do something invasive? You have the right to decline a specific test. Of course you may then be ruled ineligible for services.