Assessments start Monday

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2004
Assessments start Monday
3
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 1:54am

Hi,
I posted here awhile back about my 5-1/2 year old. His pre-K teachers noticed some stuff, and with his pedi, DH and I decided to have him tested at Univ. of Washington Child Development clinic. He'll be getting Psychologist, Dev. Pedi, ST, OT and I think nutritionist assessments.
I am pretty sure he has ADD or ADHD, and with his "spectrum" stuff he doesn't quite fit Aspergers, but there is definitely something going on in the communication end of things. So he will have about 7 hours of assessments over two days!

I'm very nervous, I hope I'm not wildly off on my expectations, I DO think he'll be able to manage in a regular Kindergarten classroom perhaps with some support and a plan in place. I'm a little worried that there aren't any educators on the assessment team. Will the school look at this as some ivory tower thing and not in touch with the reality in the classroom? I am totally clueless, he is my first born and I've never been through anything like this before.

I haven't told him about it yet- tomorrow I will. I plan to talk about how it's sometimes hard for him to focus on what he needs to do to finish things like getting ready to go out, remember all his stuff, get dressed, and do "brainwork". There will be several people who will talk to us and give him games and activities, some hard and some easy, and ask him questions so they can see how he learns and how we can help him find ways to focus better. They will also be able to see the things he does well, and help us figure out how to use his strengths better.

Does anyone have advice for me on talking to the professionals, or on putting as positive a spin on this to my son as possible?
In addition to my anxiety about what will come out of this, I am leaving my 1 year old home with a new sitter, the longest stretch of time I've been away from her, and I'm afraid I'll forget something, or she'll be unhappy, or last minute stuff getting out of the house will make us late, and I'll just be a complete ball of nerves. I don't know how I can handle worrying about leaving my baby and the assessment all at the same time...

Elaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 2:51am

Hi Elaine,


I am an Elaine too (I mostly go by as Lainie as I noticed you do too :))


When you go to the assessment the most important thing to do

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2007
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 6:38am
My son found the assessments fun. Some of the tests involved manipulating blocks or pegs. Others where mazes and puzzles. In our case it was a private neuropsych so there were no lab coats or anything like that, just her and her big comfy couch. Your son will probably love the O.T. eval, most kids do. For my son's first O.T. eval they had a zip line that landed in a huge ball pit. Heaven on earth for a sensory seeker. I guess what I'm saying is these folks know how to deal with kids and your son will probably not even realize he's being "tested". It will probably take some time after the eval. to give you their written assessment and dx., and you'll have time at that point to digest the information and write down any additional questions that you have. I know it's nerve-racking to leave your little one but keep your cell phone handy. I'm sure she will be fine. It is a lot of waiting around for the parents but you'll do fine as well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 1:12pm

Hi Elaine,


My ds (almost 6) really enjoyed the testing too!

Molly