Anonymous
11/19/2023 14:32
Subject: Re:Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would do the testing. Early intervention for any issue is key.
+1
The lack of emotional regulation and the fine motor challenges are connected issues. Find out what's going on so that you can get him the help he needs.
Fine motor skills not being as developed as expected and these meltdowns over sharing toys at 6 would raise a red flag.
Anonymous
11/19/2023 12:45
Subject: Re:Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
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?
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.
yeah except for it will take at least 6 months to get a developmental pediatrician appointment…
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.
Anonymous
11/19/2023 10:30
Subject: Re:Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
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?
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.
yeah except for it will take at least 6 months to get a developmental pediatrician appointment…
Anonymous
11/19/2023 10:26
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am a school employee (not teacher) on page one and I bet it’s private school and it’s the first step in counseling you out. Your kid is fine, they just want easy, “advanced” kids.
Reading on to find out…
After reading more, do you maintain your conclusion that the kid is pretty normal and the school is just trying to counsel him out?
I’m a different teacher. Not possible for us to say. We don’t see the kid and we don’t know what the teachers see. So he may have concerns and issues, he may not, but the salient point is if they’re telling OP to get a neuropsych, they’re trying to push her son out. If the neuropsych reveals he has learning disabilities or special needs guess what- they don’t have to accommodate him and don’t want to. Privates don’t deal with IEPs, so they’re not trying to get him one - this is step one of trying to get him out of the school.
If she doesn’t get the neuropsych, or it’s not atypical, they’re going to eventually tell her he’s still struggling and it’s not a good fit.
You don’t know what you are talking about. My kid was at a very rigorous academic private and they were supportive in meeting her needs with respect to ADHD and slow processing. In fact, we had a much easier time getting accommodations then friends in public because we did not have to deal with a bureaucracy.
Your single anecdotal experience does not negate the fact that MOST privates do not want to accommodate students with special needs and unlike public schools are not legally required to do so.
Huh, I have had kids at two different private schools and they have friends at many others. Between them, literally know dozens of kids with adhd at top private schools. For other learning differences, it’s more school specific. There are definitely mainstream, but not most rigorous academic schools, that are known for taking kids with other learning differences, like dyslexia if the child otherwise meets the school’s academic standards.
If your kid has adhd and you are not willing to consider medication, agree that public school likely better option.
People on this thread put way too much emphasis on whether kid has “label.” You aren’t going to mask a condition by not getting it diagnosed, especially if the school is the one bringing it to your attention.
Anonymous
11/18/2023 13:42
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
One of the issues is that his behavior with the outbursts is not moderated by being around other kids. What would be more typical is that a kid this age, esp one who is “older” for the year in school, would be responding to the presence of an audience in ways that made the outbursts less common rather than more. That would give me pause in your shoes, OP.
Anonymous
11/18/2023 12:48
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:If the school says you need it - you do. They need it to give him an IEP and he needs one.
Omg. Absolutely wrong.
Anonymous
11/17/2023 06:37
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
I think in evaluation with an OT is a great start. As a former childhood educator I would not expect those type of outbursts from a six year old have been in school since two unless they were some underlying issues.
Anonymous
11/17/2023 04:15
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am a school employee (not teacher) on page one and I bet it’s private school and it’s the first step in counseling you out. Your kid is fine, they just want easy, “advanced” kids.
Reading on to find out…
After reading more, do you maintain your conclusion that the kid is pretty normal and the school is just trying to counsel him out?
I’m a different teacher. Not possible for us to say. We don’t see the kid and we don’t know what the teachers see. So he may have concerns and issues, he may not, but the salient point is if they’re telling OP to get a neuropsych, they’re trying to push her son out. If the neuropsych reveals he has learning disabilities or special needs guess what- they don’t have to accommodate him and don’t want to. Privates don’t deal with IEPs, so they’re not trying to get him one - this is step one of trying to get him out of the school.
If she doesn’t get the neuropsych, or it’s not atypical, they’re going to eventually tell her he’s still struggling and it’s not a good fit.
You don’t know what you are talking about. My kid was at a very rigorous academic private and they were supportive in meeting her needs with respect to ADHD and slow processing. In fact, we had a much easier time getting accommodations then friends in public because we did not have to deal with a bureaucracy.
Your single anecdotal experience does not negate the fact that MOST privates do not want to accommodate students with special needs and unlike public schools are not legally required to do so.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 22:26
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am a school employee (not teacher) on page one and I bet it’s private school and it’s the first step in counseling you out. Your kid is fine, they just want easy, “advanced” kids.
Reading on to find out…
After reading more, do you maintain your conclusion that the kid is pretty normal and the school is just trying to counsel him out?
I’m a different teacher. Not possible for us to say. We don’t see the kid and we don’t know what the teachers see. So he may have concerns and issues, he may not, but the salient point is if they’re telling OP to get a neuropsych, they’re trying to push her son out. If the neuropsych reveals he has learning disabilities or special needs guess what- they don’t have to accommodate him and don’t want to. Privates don’t deal with IEPs, so they’re not trying to get him one - this is step one of trying to get him out of the school.
If she doesn’t get the neuropsych, or it’s not atypical, they’re going to eventually tell her he’s still struggling and it’s not a good fit.
You don’t know what you are talking about. My kid was at a very rigorous academic private and they were supportive in meeting her needs with respect to ADHD and slow processing. In fact, we had a much easier time getting accommodations then friends in public because we did not have to deal with a bureaucracy.
That is not a representative private school at all.
But it is. . . I know a good number of kids at local privates with ADHD. Sorry to disappoint you.
Who's disappointed? You, perhaps. Your anecdotes are not representative. Sorry.
You should be ashamed of yourself. It simply isn’t true that kids are getting counseled out these days for adhd that is being treated. You know what they do get counseled out for — unexplained behavioral issues.
You are a shameful weirdo.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 21:23
Subject: Re:Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
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?
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.
Note: I’m the person who originally asked these questions, and I’m responding to your / OP’s question re: where I — personally— would start.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 21:20
Subject: Re:Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
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?
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.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 21:20
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
It’s private boo
Anonymous
11/16/2023 21:14
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am a school employee (not teacher) on page one and I bet it’s private school and it’s the first step in counseling you out. Your kid is fine, they just want easy, “advanced” kids.
Reading on to find out…
After reading more, do you maintain your conclusion that the kid is pretty normal and the school is just trying to counsel him out?
I’m a different teacher. Not possible for us to say. We don’t see the kid and we don’t know what the teachers see. So he may have concerns and issues, he may not, but the salient point is if they’re telling OP to get a neuropsych, they’re trying to push her son out. If the neuropsych reveals he has learning disabilities or special needs guess what- they don’t have to accommodate him and don’t want to. Privates don’t deal with IEPs, so they’re not trying to get him one - this is step one of trying to get him out of the school.
If she doesn’t get the neuropsych, or it’s not atypical, they’re going to eventually tell her he’s still struggling and it’s not a good fit.
You don’t know what you are talking about. My kid was at a very rigorous academic private and they were supportive in meeting her needs with respect to ADHD and slow processing. In fact, we had a much easier time getting accommodations then friends in public because we did not have to deal with a bureaucracy.
That is not a representative private school at all.
But it is. . . I know a good number of kids at local privates with ADHD. Sorry to disappoint you.
I’m the PP who had a terrible experience getting counseled out. My experience is that our school was not willing to work with us while we figured it out. And at 5, even with the teacher reports we struggled to get a diagnosis- our diagnosing physician wanted to see a second set of testing because my child is very bright, had no academic difficulties and was great in person with a friendly engaging physician. We got the diagnosis about 6 months after that but he did not want to medicate at that age for what he observed. The school didn’t care- they wanted a child who say still all day and were completely unwilling to implement any of the accommodations our public did from the get go. I am sure there are privates that are more helpful, especially if the child comes in diagnosed and medicated but our experience, and that of other families at that school that I heard about later was that they did one thing and if that didn’t work for your kid you had to go.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 20:59
Subject: Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am a school employee (not teacher) on page one and I bet it’s private school and it’s the first step in counseling you out. Your kid is fine, they just want easy, “advanced” kids.
Reading on to find out…
After reading more, do you maintain your conclusion that the kid is pretty normal and the school is just trying to counsel him out?
I’m a different teacher. Not possible for us to say. We don’t see the kid and we don’t know what the teachers see. So he may have concerns and issues, he may not, but the salient point is if they’re telling OP to get a neuropsych, they’re trying to push her son out. If the neuropsych reveals he has learning disabilities or special needs guess what- they don’t have to accommodate him and don’t want to. Privates don’t deal with IEPs, so they’re not trying to get him one - this is step one of trying to get him out of the school.
If she doesn’t get the neuropsych, or it’s not atypical, they’re going to eventually tell her he’s still struggling and it’s not a good fit.
You don’t know what you are talking about. My kid was at a very rigorous academic private and they were supportive in meeting her needs with respect to ADHD and slow processing. In fact, we had a much easier time getting accommodations then friends in public because we did not have to deal with a bureaucracy.
That is not a representative private school at all.
But it is. . . I know a good number of kids at local privates with ADHD. Sorry to disappoint you.
Who's disappointed? You, perhaps. Your anecdotes are not representative. Sorry.
You should be ashamed of yourself. It simply isn’t true that kids are getting counseled out these days for adhd that is being treated. You know what they do get counseled out for — unexplained behavioral issues.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 20:55
Subject: Re:Can I get some input on a school suggesting that my kindergartner have a neuropsychological evaluation?
Anonymous wrote:Did OP ever come back to confirm that it was private or public? Sorry I don’t have time for 8 pages.
Private.