Need advice about DS and cognitive delays

[aya2pin]

A few months ago at my son's well-child checkup I asked his doctor about some behavioral issues we have been having. My son can be very explosive and out of control. He is 9. The doctor gave me a list of psychiatrists and psychologists to try to get an appointment with.

 

We got an appointment and the doctor said we should get a speech evaluation done first. The speech therapist said he has several disfluencies that need to be addresses. He stutters, he replaces "R" with "W", he pauses. There were other things she mentioned I just can't think of them now. We have always thought something was unique about our son. He definitely has challenges, but he is a sweet kid and loves to learn.

 

Next the doctor gave DS a cognitive evaluation. He scored very low on everything. The test given to him was the WISC-IV test. His verbal comprehension was the best score and it was average. The other 3 areas were perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed. He scored low or extremely low in these areas. His overall IQ score is 74.

 

I do not know what to do now. I do not feel comfortable homeschooling him now. It makes so much sense why school was so difficult for him. We are looking at special education programs in our local public schools.

 

I guess my question is what does his score means. Everything I look up about cognitive disability points to autism or autism spectrum disorders. Is this where I should be looking for information? What does this mean for his future. Will he be able to finish high school or go to college? Does anyone have experience with special education in the Denver area?

[wapiti]

Didn't the psych offer any recommendations or diagnosis? Talk about LDs? (FWIW, there are situations in which those scores can be inaccurate due to certain kinds of LDs)  In this case, I'd definitely call the neuropsych department at DU. They deal with a lot of LDs. You can take your test results there for a consultation/second opinion/analysis.

You might get more helpful responses on the Special Needs board.

[sbgrace]

I would try the special needs board for input on specifics. I *think* all three of the scores you mention can be low because of specific learning disabilities or even specific diagnosis (such as ADD or autism stuff).

 

I have a special needs son. He has an autism spectrum diagnosis and, though we've not pursued testing at this point, I am certain he has learning disabilities and attention deficit too. I'm homeschooling him because of this. He would flounder in our school system. I can take time to make sure he gets things at his pace. I can take a break on an off day. He can wander around and tell his stories out loud between lessons. It goes on. Public school may be the best option for you and your child. Every family is different and every school system and their services are different too. But there are many of us here homeschooling special needs kids.

 

 

Are you doing ok? I think many of us stagger at least a little when we get these sorts of reports. :grouphug:

[aya2pin]

I was floored when she told us the scores. I broke down in her office. I think it is because I always thought he was different but still okay mentally. He did horribly on the standardized test he had to take this past year and I thought that's just because he doesn't do well with those types of tests not because he doesn't know the information or can't process information.

 

I am feeling a little better today. I still want to get this figured out and find the best place for him. If homeschooling is still the best option for him I am willing to do it. I think I will know more once we do some more evaluations. I would like to get a diagnosis just so I can read up on what he is dealing with.

[wapiti]

I broke down in her office. I think it is because I always thought he was different but still okay mentally.

 

If that is your impression, that his intelligence level is ok in spite of his differences, that counts for something, IMO. It's still possible to have LDs interfere with the VC and PR scores, that is, with the test itself - it all depends on what the situation really is. The other two sections are less about intelligence and more about LDs. I hope you get a lot more info from further evals!

[Twinmom]

I have twins who came back with similar scores and had similar speech issues, self control issues, etc. After much searching and wringing of hands, we were able to finally have them diagnosed adequately...neurodevelopmental brain delay (7 yr olds in 9 yr old bodies) and SPD. We have engaged them in multiple therapies since...speech, OT, Ortho Gillingham tutoring and most recently, neurofeedback. I home school both boys, plus their brother, who is academically gifted. It makes for a crazy household, but somehow it all works. They are doing great and progressing as planned at home...we have time for outside therapies, I can tailor their education to what they can handle and most importantly, they still believe in themselves.

 

All the doctors we have worked with assure me that both twins will eventually "catch up" and will be normal, even possibly high functioning adults. However, if we'd have given into fear and put them back in public school, they would have been labeled ADHD and low intelligence, put on meds and into a special needs classroom and likely tracked as kids with behavior problems. They would not likely have had access to the therapies we have had the time as homeschoolers to find and implement, and they certainly would not believe in themselves in the way they clearly do at this point. They are going to be okay and I am going to survive this!

 

It is entirely possible that homeschooling could be the best thing that ever happened to your child. Hang in there until the shock wears off. Hang out on the special needs board and glean from the wisdom of other moms (that board is how I managed to realize that the little guys had SPD and that my daughter had a visual processing disorder!). The parents over there are awesome. You can always put him back in school later on when and if you think it is best for him. Right now, focus on getting a solid diagnosis and start making a plan. Give homeschooling a chance and have every hope possible for your son's future. His life course will not be set with one little test.

 

BTW...we are beginning to be told that our boys may actually be of significantly higher intelligence...(say, 120ish IQ versus the 72 and 78 scores they previously received!) and that their intelligence was hiding behind their SPD symptoms...it can happen! If we would have accepted the earlier label, their education would have taken an entirely different course. LDs can often mask the intelligence of kids who do not fit the educational mold...

 

:grouphug:

Edited June 28, 2012 by Twinmom

[Twinmom]

I was floored when she told us the scores. I broke down in her office. I think it is because I always thought he was different but still okay mentally. He did horribly on the standardized test he had to take this past year and I thought that's just because he doesn't do well with those types of tests not because he doesn't know the information or can't process information.

 

I am feeling a little better today. I still want to get this figured out and find the best place for him. If homeschooling is still the best option for him I am willing to do it. I think I will know more once we do some more evaluations. I would like to get a diagnosis just so I can read up on what he is dealing with.

 

Just read this after writing my LONG post...glad you are feeling better! You are on the right track, so hang in there.

[LNC]

A few months ago at my son's well-child checkup I asked his doctor about some behavioral issues we have been having. My son can be very explosive and out of control. He is 9. The doctor gave me a list of psychiatrists and psychologists to try to get an appointment with.

 

We got an appointment and the doctor said we should get a speech evaluation done first. The speech therapist said he has several disfluencies that need to be addresses. He stutters, he replaces "R" with "W", he pauses. There were other things she mentioned I just can't think of them now. We have always thought something was unique about our son. He definitely has challenges, but he is a sweet kid and loves to learn.

 

Next the doctor gave DS a cognitive evaluation. He scored very low on everything. The test given to him was the WISC-IV test. His verbal comprehension was the best score and it was average. The other 3 areas were perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed. He scored low or extremely low in these areas. His overall IQ score is 74.

 

I do not know what to do now. I do not feel comfortable homeschooling him now. It makes so much sense why school was so difficult for him. We are looking at special education programs in our local public schools.

 

I guess my question is what does his score means. Everything I look up about cognitive disability points to autism or autism spectrum disorders. Is this where I should be looking for information? What does this mean for his future. Will he be able to finish high school or go to college? Does anyone have experience with special education in the Denver area?

 

A 74 overall iq is a "slow learner" (I'm not sure that is a legit label but that is what most educators refer to it as) and wouldn't qualify for a special education in my state. Resource is for learning disabled - a large discrepancy between iq and performance. Self contained special education classes are for the intellectually disabled or autism or multi handicapped. I would continue on with autism spectrum testing if your doctor feels that is a possibility.

:grouphug:

[Dobela]

A 74 overall iq is a "slow learner" (I'm not sure that is a legit label but that is what most educators refer to it as) and wouldn't qualify for a special education in my state. Resource is for learning disabled - a large discrepancy between iq and performance. Self contained special education classes are for the intellectually disabled or autism or multi handicapped. I would continue on with autism spectrum testing if your doctor feels that is a possibility.

:grouphug:

:iagree:When I was teaching special ed in my state, this was the fine line between slow learner and mental retardation as the label of choice. Slow learners recevived no help, except maybe some classroom modifications, and children with the MR diagnosis were placed in a self contained classroom rather than in a regular classroom.

 

I know you are feeling overwhelmed. I would be. It is like suddenly being immersed in a new language you never considered learning. At this point I would still want to homeschool. You may have to change your goals some in the beginning, change your approach some, but now you have a huge advantage. You can see just exactly where your child needs extra help and you can work on those areas.

[Quad Shot Academy]

:grouphug: I don't think PS will help your child. I think it is even more important that you teach him at home with the help of specialists. The psychologist that evaluated my daughter and one that evaluated my friend's daughter told us not to put them in school. That if we put them in school they would realize how far behind they are and how hard it is for them to learn and they would emotionally not recover and they would not get the academic help they need anyway. Special Ed and help for struggling learners is only getting worse and worse in schools.

 

If your son is not reading, look for an orton gillian tutor. I found one that is going through her training so she is only $50 an hour. My daughter has made so much progress. Hire the speech therapist. I found both people who would come to my home. Get your son in some sort of martial art. Buy an i-phone or i-pad and have him work on educational aps. Find a way around the testing requirement of your state for now. Start looking for curriculum made simple on the special needs board.

 

:grouphug:

[EKS]

If that is your impression, that his intelligence level is ok in spite of his differences, that counts for something, IMO. It's still possible to have LDs interfere with the VC and PR scores, that is, with the test itself - it all depends on what the situation really is. The other two sections are less about intelligence and more about LDs. I hope you get a lot more info from further evals!

 

:iagree:

[Dory]

I was floored when she told us the scores. I broke down in her office. I think it is because I always thought he was different but still okay mentally. He did horribly on the standardized test he had to take this past year and I thought that's just because he doesn't do well with those types of tests not because he doesn't know the information or can't process information.

 

I am feeling a little better today. I still want to get this figured out and find the best place for him. If homeschooling is still the best option for him I am willing to do it. I think I will know more once we do some more evaluations. I would like to get a diagnosis just so I can read up on what he is dealing with.

 

It's hard to hear news like that. My oldest son tested low on his testing and they wanted to test him for autism but I wasn't willing to go that route as we all knew that he would be a high functioning aspergers at best and that there was nothing more that would be done that we weren't already doing. As it is, he has been labeled with Auditory Processing Disorder which was good as it forced me to do a lot of reading and his schooling has gone much better because of it. The ps here was useless with dealing with it. He was drowning there and being picked on for being different. He is doing amazingly at home and we are doing things that the psychologist had said he probably would never do, such as picking up casual conversations with strangers and keep them going. He is working a 1 1/2 grades above his grade level in math and reading at grade level. He is considered one of the 'go to' kids by the other little kids in our church. All that because I wasn't willing to accept the usual route for things. I'm fine with my son being 'different'. In my mind uniqueness isn't a bad thing at all, but I wasn't willing to have them treat him like he was stupid.

[catz]

If that is your impression, that his intelligence level is ok in spite of his differences, that counts for something, IMO. It's still possible to have LDs interfere with the VC and PR scores, that is, with the test itself - it all depends on what the situation really is. The other two sections are less about intelligence and more about LDs. I hope you get a lot more info from further evals!

 

:iagree: Don't think of any scores you get as written in stone, but reflective of your child's performance on one day during their childhood. There are many reasons a child can score low on a test like this. Absolutely, you should work to get to the bottom of it and it sounds like you've got a good mind set about it, but don't think it's going to necessarily reflect what you may see in the future. :grouphug:

[aya2pin]

So I thought maybe I should talk more about the things I have noticed with my son over the last couple of years. He is reading. It took him a long time to figure it out, but now reads really well. I think he was 7 or 8 before it finally clicked. The subjects he has the most trouble with are writing and math. In math he does not understand abstract concepts. He can only do problems one way and if you give him a similar problem but asked differently than he learned he is clueless. In writing he can't get his thoughts organized and also has trouble with spelling.

 

In his personal life there are many more issues. He is sensitive to sound. He can't handle it when people yell or babies cry. He is sensitive about clothes he wears. There are only certain socks he can wear. He doesn't like shirts that have buttons or tags. He has trouble making friends because he doesn't get their jokes or sense of humor. He usually has some sort of "tic". He does things with his hands or sometimes his head. He does one thing for a little while and then if fades away and he starts doing something else. I could go on and on.

 

I want to know what the public school system has to offer. Maybe just knowing what kinds of therapies he needs will help us decide if we want to keep homeschooling. I think that he is the kind of kid that will get picked on and bullied at school. What I have read about special education in Colorado is that kids are not taught in different classrooms but are pulled out during the day for specific things like reading/math help or ot or pt. That seems better to me than it was when I was growing up.

[wapiti]

. 

 

[Ailaena]

FWIW, I'd want to rule out developmental vision issues as a matter of course. This is where I take my kids (a former president of the covd).

 

 

 

 

I just PM'd you, aya, but...

 

Here is a public second for this and them. I have seen quite a few kids enter and exit their program with much success. PLUS, they don't push it unless you need it AND there is a clear beginning and end to the therapy, i.e. not years and years of "am I better yet" Even just their evaluation will tell you a TON.

[Tiramisu]

So I thought maybe I should talk more about the things I have noticed with my son over the last couple of years. He is reading. It took him a long time to figure it out, but now reads really well. I think he was 7 or 8 before it finally clicked. The subjects he has the most trouble with are writing and math. In math he does not understand abstract concepts. He can only do problems one way and if you give him a similar problem but asked differently than he learned he is clueless. In writing he can't get his thoughts organized and also has trouble with spelling.

 

In his personal life there are many more issues. He is sensitive to sound. He can't handle it when people yell or babies cry. He is sensitive about clothes he wears. There are only certain socks he can wear. He doesn't like shirts that have buttons or tags. He has trouble making friends because he doesn't get their jokes or sense of humor. He usually has some sort of "tic". He does things with his hands or sometimes his head. He does one thing for a little while and then if fades away and he starts doing something else. I could go on and on.

 

I want to know what the public school system has to offer. Maybe just knowing what kinds of therapies he needs will help us decide if we want to keep homeschooling. I think that he is the kind of kid that will get picked on and bullied at school. What I have read about special education in Colorado is that kids are not taught in different classrooms but are pulled out during the day for specific things like reading/math help or ot or pt. That seems better to me than it was when I was growing up.

 

I agree with all the others that the WISC scores, while useful for indicating learning issues, are not necessarily a fair representation of your ds's intelligence or his future success. I think that doctor really did you a disservice by dumping those scores on you without guiding you more. You obviously know there's more going on, and I don't know why he didn't pick up on that himself.

 

Reading your most recent post, I can only say it would really benefit you to post all of this on the special needs board, as others have already suggested. There are moms there that are dealing with EXACTLY the kinds of things you are describing and they are the best ones around to guide you about how to follow-up and the best types of specialists to see. The moms over there have faced the confusion and felt the grief you're feeling now and are open-hearted and will help.

 

The most important thing to remember is that your ds has strengths and gifts as well as weaknesses. You will want to focus on those as well as different programs and therapies to support his learning and happiness.

 

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: