What to do in the meantime?

Jahir

New Member
Hi everyone, new to the forum.

We have a 6 yr old in a talented and gifted program and he has having considerable issues in 1st grade.
The situation continues to escalate. After a meeting with the principal and counselors today we know know we need to have an evaluation done.

We're meeting a school psychologist tomorrow and will start the IEP process. I understand the evaluation can take some time.
What do we do in the meantime? This is so hard on him and on us that I have contemplated just keeping him home... but it's a long time.
 

buddy

New Member
Just thinking, in order to complete the evaluation he really needs to be there so they can collect data. If you change his routine, it may impact the results by adding a variable like change in schedule. Just a thought, you know your child best of course. You dont really want him to "improve" and not qualify, smile. It is one of those times where, to get him in, it is not the time to look on the bright side when describing him (not lie of course, but emphasize the challenges so you can get protection and support in school). When they present the ideas for assessment, please make sure they are doing a functional behavior analysis along with the ability/achievement/motor/language/hearing/vision/evaluation. You should get the checklists that were mentioned before, like the Connors, and other adaptive behavior checklists. I have a son with a low average IQ but a very low adaptive behavior profile so he functions much lower than his ability would suggest. The checklists can give clues to things that may be factors that influence the repetitive behavior, and the inability to sit and attend. They should include observations where they define the behaviors of concern and count them in different settings, describe the environment (where, how many kids, how much noise, lots of lecture or active lesson, before lunch or snack or after???????) My son shows tons of behavior in settings where lots of academic demands are made and other kids with special needs are humming, singing, saying inappropriate things etc. and does well behaviorally in classes with mainstream kids. That data is collected thru an fba. we can use that to work on behaviors with him. Does that make sense? If you dont fully understand the list of assessment protocols they propose tomorrow, then make sure they explain or give you a chance to go home and look them all up. You can come here and ask people here if they have heard of them too and if any of us would add anything.... You dont have to sign right there, it is approriate to say this looks great, give us a day to reveiw it.

In the mean time, I would look for a private neuropsychological complete evaluation. This can be a day long or even two day long evaluation. They have a broader view and over the years when he changes schools or you move or whatever, you can go to this kind of evaluation to mark the progress and see changes or new concerns. School can be given these results to assist in planning the IEP when that time comes. It may catch things school misses in the evaluation too. It is overwhelming but worth the effort. Just MHO... you are doing great for having just come to terms with this. Everything you are saying and feeling is perfectly expected. In the end, no matter what the diagnosis or label, he is still the marvelous kid you created and love!

Yes, it stinks this all takes so long. In the mean time there are things that they can do in school to support ANY child that they suspect has issues that are not just choosing to misbehave. They can break things down into little chunks. Make sure everything is presented visually and auditorily (like use a post it or wipe on/off board of his own to write what he is to do down). Reinforce every single thing they see he is doing well. He can get stickers on a paper that when he gets ten he gets a treat. never let them take any stickers off for "bad" behavior! Just doesn't get a sticker until he does the right thing. He may need a squishy seat on his chair so he can wiggle. A large ball with a box lid under it to keep it from rolling can be his chair too. Maybe he needs something to hold in his hand if he likes to go touching things....some kind of squishy toy or plush toy. These are common adaptations for kids who like to touch things (it keeps their hands busy on some thing that is OK) Just some ideas....
 
T

TeDo

Guest
I whole-heartedly ditto what buddy said. Just to cover your back-side, put your request for an evaluation for Special Education services in writing and give it to them when you meet tomorrow. Have them sign and date it that they received it and have them make a copy for you (WITH their signatures and date). Even if they are agreeable, put it in writing. Once they have that, there is a federal "deadline" for them to have all assessments completed. Many of us have dealt with delay after delay because we didn't have written proof of when the request was made. Make sure they include thorough speech/language, Occupational Therapist (OT), academic, and psychological evaluations. Don't leave any stone unturned. The more info you get the more you'll be able to make sure he gets all the help he needs to be successful.

In the meantime, keep him in school. They can't do the assessments and observations if he's not there. Keep your own documentation of actions taken by the school and the behaviors your son exhibited that resulted in their actions. This will also give you more info and a pattern might emerge that you won't see unless you have it all in front of you. Have you tried "quizzing" your son about his reasons for his actions. He may not know or his explanation may not seem logical to use but document what he says about it. Sometimes there are thinking errors that we wouldn't see if we didn't ask.

Definitely look for a neuropsychologist soon. They do VERY thorough evaluations of most everything and usually make good recommendations.

{{{{(((HUGS)))}}}} to you and your son. You have come to the right place. Welcome
 
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