MistyMountain Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 How old is he? What grade? I'm assuming this is a public school, and that it is the same school he attended last year. Did his teacher from last year keep any notes or files? Would she be willing to write up something about him? If he is at the same school as last year, I would think they should have some records of his performance last year. Also, did the school request the testing, or did you? Has he already had his phonemic awareness tested, or how do you know it is fine? Does he already have an IEP? If he has an IEP already, I think the school is required to do testing every three years. If you want something specific tested, I would make an official request for it in writing. Hopefully someone here who has been through the IEP process already can help you figure out what tests to ask for. We are just starting and haven't gotten that far along yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Generally, they will do an IQ test and an achievenent test. The iq test shouldn't be dependent on his reading and writing ability. If you are suspecting dyslexia, then you can ask for testing specific to that area. My guess is that school will have a standard battery of tests that they use in most situations. You can ask which tests they will use. Since he already qualifies for services based on speech, you may be able to request an occupational therapy evaluation along with the academic testing, but sometimes the academic testing has to be completed first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Obviously this is just my experience, but I thought I'd share it as an FYI... Our DS was tested by the PS at the same age. Very similar problems. The PS testing was so far off it wasn't even funny. They said he didn't have any LD's, just a low IQ and was working at his ability level, so he wasn't eligible for any special services, just a full time Special Ed class. We knew they were way off since he was already beating us at board games, totally comprehended books way over grade level, etc. He was/is dyscalculiac, dyslexic, and has dysgraphia - none of which they caught. All of which I figured out for myself and then had confirmed when he finally had a neuropsychological exam many years later. Look into those Dys's I listed. But.... don't be surprised if they do not agree with you and chose not to do much about it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Obviously this is just my experience, but I thought I'd share it as an FYI... Our DS was tested by the PS at the same age. Very similar problems. The PS testing was so far off it wasn't even funny. They said he didn't have any LD's, just a low IQ and was working at his ability level, so he wasn't eligible for any special services, just a full time Special Ed class. We knew they were way off since he was already beating us at board games, totally comprehended books way over grade level, etc. He was/is dyscalculiac, dyslexic, and has dysgraphia - none of which they caught. All of which I figured out for myself and then had confirmed when he finally had a neuropsychological exam many years later. Look into those Dys's I listed. But.... don't be surprised if they do not agree with you and chose not to do much about it. This is what I am most worried about. I do not even know what the options are and what kinds of testing would be best for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Some schools are more helpful than others. I would tell the school all of your concerns, preferably in writing. If there is any way for you to contact last year's teacher and ask her to write up her thoughts, it might be something they would pay attention to. If willing, she could even come to the school meeting. You are allowed to invite someone to the meeting if they have something valuable to contribute, even if they do not work at the school. We recently had a meeting at our school, and the neuropsych who evaluated DD10 came. You are also allowed to take an advocate to the meeting to help speak on your behalf and make sure that the laws are being followed. If the school refuses to consider your concerns or do not find evidence of a problem, you are allowed under the law to state that you disagree with their assessment and ask for additional screenings done by an independent party not associated with the school. You can also pay for your own evaluations by a neuropsychologist. Hopefully none of this will be necessary, but these helps and protections are allowed under the federal law. Hopefully they will be willing to listen to your concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 The IEP forms in our state are available online, and near the beginning of the process, you should be able to see a list of all the categories they will test--IQ, speech (which includes social skills), behavior, math, reading, gross motor (PT), fine motor (OT), etc. You might even be able to see or ask about the specific tests they will run. You will want to have them test everything to leave no stone unturned, so to speak. One of the boxes to check on this form (in our state) has something to do with input from the parent. Get your ducks in a row and be as thorough and precise in your concerns as possible. Draw a straight line from what you observe to be problematic, what do do about it, what helps or doesn't help, and how it keeps your child from doing well. Be sure to put in a timeline if you can-symptoms started in x grade, and we did this to work on it, blah, blah. If the school psych or person in charge of the process doesn't put your concerns in the ETR report, be sure you have a copy with you at the ETR meeting. Then, you can ask for copies to made and distributed to the team when it's your turn to talk as a member of the team. Absolutely put in information about strengths as well to balance out if you really think it's an LD, and they think it's an IQ issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 They are doing testing but the teacher was not happy about it and how it means more documenting for her. I thought it was too early in the year to meet with his teacher. They sure made me feel bad but they will do testing. They are not very positive about him possibly getting help and said that you need to test really really low for that. I was going to ask more specifics about what test will be run in each category but they ran out of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 They are doing testing but the teacher was not happy about it and how it means more documenting for her. I thought it was too early in the year to meet with his teacher. They sure made me feel bad but they will do testing. They are not very positive about him possibly getting help and said that you need to test really really low for that. I was going to ask more specifics about what test will be run in each category but they ran out of time. I didn't see your original post, so I'm sorry I don't have all the context. I would seriously try to document as much of it as you can yourself based on past work and such. It's not a fun process, but it's how the system is set up. I hope it goes well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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