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

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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Is he a six year old in kindergarten? Is he one of the older kids in the class?  Is this his first school experience?  His first group experience? 
As someone who has done psych testing, and who has also worked in a variety of school settings, a referral for neuro-psych  testing would NOT be where I’d start for assessment and referrals given what you’ve described.

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He turned 6 in October, so he's one of the older kids.  Has done preschool since age 2, but last year 4-days/week half-day -- this is his first year of 5 days per week and his first year of full days.

If neuropsych is not where you'd start for this, mind sharing where you would start?  OT?  Developmental pediatrician? Psychologist?[/quote]

I’d start with a developmental pediatrician— and keep in mind that this is fairly early in a significant adjustment/transition from four half days a week to a new environment with 5 days a week and full days.  The developmental pediatrician might recommend assessments and OT.   I’d want to see how his skills look against age norms — as well as the expectations of his class. I’d also be curious re: the other classmates— if it’s a mix of kids from other schools or if there’s a large cohort from the same school, and/ or who are already used to the full day / 5 days a week schedule, and possibly other aspects of the school environment.

As you’ve described it, I don’t view the crying as a huge deal, but rather as a skill to work on and as something to be monitored.  I’d also look at his schedule— comparing it with previous schedules, and be alert for patterns. (Do problems seem to happen when he’s tired, or when he’s had more structured activities, or when he’s doing certain kinds of tasks or responding to certain types of environmental demands … things like that.). I think the graphomotor skills should be assessed, and interventions might — or might not follow from the assessment.

If the developmental pediatrician and/or the OT therapist recommend a neuropsych assessment then I’d say go for it, as it will provide useful information. If they don’t, my question would be: What questions do you and the school have that a neuropsych assessment can answer?  I’d also (personal preference) give it at least 3-4 months in a new setting vs 2 - 3 — and do a fair amount of communication with the teachers regarding his progress and responses to classroom interventions. So: more data from the classroom before seeking formal testing.

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yeah except for it will take at least 6 months to get a developmental pediatrician appointment… [/quote]

It wouldn’t take me that long, and since you don’t identify yourself as the OP, you really have no idea what resources the family has access to.  [/quote]

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