Reply to How many second opinions? Or when to stop assessing preschooler if nothing seems to fit?

Forum Index » Kids With Special Needs and Disabilities

Reply to "How many second opinions? Or when to stop assessing preschooler if nothing seems to fit?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]I've not posted in this forum but have learned a lot (especially provider referrals) from reading the archives, so thanks for being such a thoughtful resource.

DD is almost 4 and we've been dealing with behavioral issues since April (hitting us, teachers, friends; yelling; tantrums; etc). Family therapist referred us to sensory processing eval, which found minor issues and recommended weekly OT. After 5 OT sessions, the therapist hasn't been able to see a sensory situation trigger behavior, and thinks it is behavioral/temperment/strong will.

Switched in October from a larger to smaller daycare with staff who are more experienced both in general and with special needs, which is helping. Simultaneously, we did ChildFind and were only referred to have a more extensive speech eval, for not answering questions but saying "I don't know" to simple things she knows (concepts and verbal test result was above average) and extensive verbalization of fantasies. Referred to ChildLink, which is working in the classroom. Continuing to work with psychologist to implement parenting strategies and reading tons of recommended books (including Dan Shapiro's class materials). Being consistent at home as much as possible, including positive reinforcement.

Both ChildLink and new teacher think some combo of ADHD/autism spectrum/anxiety are the cause. We got on lists for developmental pediatricians/neuropsych eval. Had the KKI intake meeting and screening today. Screener was a nurse practitioner, who said: definitely no autism or ADHD, probably some anxiety. Will get full report in 30 days.

Teacher and daycare director think KKI is wrong. DD was also screened by NIH as part of the autism natural history study at 18mo as a healthy volunteer and had no developmental delays. We're contacting them to have her re-screened, as a second opinion. Also planning to work with another therapist who can provide social skills/group therapy in the new year.

My questions are: 
Given that some of these conditions can look similar in preschoolers and also co-exist, how many opinions do you need to get if nothing seems definitive? 
At this point, do we just need to wait for her to get older so that the issues lend themselves to diagnosis (even though early intervention is best)? 
When you can't get a diagnosis, best to just keep working on the symptoms? 
How much trust should I put in a 1.5 hour screening by KKI vs. the observations of DD's daily teachers? Should I push for KKI to do more?

Thanks in advance![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics