1st taste of the bureaucracy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
1st taste of the bureaucracy
6
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 12:25pm

So the eval. was yesterday, but the evaluators aren't "allowed" to discuss the results with me until the "team" has reviewed them and come to a decision. That could be weeks. Plus I will be getting yet another form to fill out soon.

I spoke to one of the psychs that did the eval. and she said that all she can tell me was that DS did great and would do really well in school and that we just probably had some behavior issues that need dealing with. I wonder what that means as far as any dx? So is he AS or not? I can't believe he's not with some of the behaviors he's exhibited. But now I'm afraid they're just going to label him behavior problem and let it go at that. OK, trying to be patient and relax. I just wish there wasn't so darn much red tape.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2005
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 1:47pm
Well, the reason is the spectrum is SO broad that it does in fact take a team of people to come to a conclusion. They don't want to misdiagnose a child. I know the waiting is very hard because you are dying for answers, but is is best for everyone to review your son's case before they let you know.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 2:29pm

We had to wait for our results too. We got an interesting comment that left me bewildered til we got Nathan's dx. The neuropsychologist's colleague said, "Hhmmm, he's very interesting." I spent the whole time wondering what in the world that meant!!!

Hang in there! I know the waiting is hard!

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 3:59pm
You're absolutely right. I wouldn't want anyone to jump to a conclusion about a dx. I am happy that she seemed so pleased with his performance and sounded so positive about his school success. I'll be patient.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 6:27pm

Where was the eval done? Is it a school eval or was this through your insurance? The 2 bring up very different issues. If it was through insurance through an autism evaluation team, then I totally agree with the others. However, if it is a school district evaluation, then they don't really diagnose AS. In fact they only determine if there is educational need, and which diagnostic category educationally they fit into (autism being one but AS isn't). A school psychologist can point you in the right direction (ie, you may want to evaluate for Aspergers, or the child has symptoms consistent with Aspergers), but they don't diagnose medically. And there are lots of political and bureaucratic issues that go with that.

If this is a school based evaluation, you may want to seek an outside medical one just to have all your bases covered.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Sun, 02-12-2006 - 10:40am

This was done through the school. I was under the impression that they could make a dx.


If the school decides he is eligible for services, would it still be valuable to have an outside dx? What else would it tell us? How much does it cost? Who does it?


I guess I have a lot to learn about this whole process. Sometimes it can be quite overwhelming and we've only just begun!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 02-12-2006 - 11:23am

An outside medical diagnosis may help you obtain school services as well as ones that may be offered through your insurance. Our insurance covers a therapist (we happened to have one on our insurance that is ASD specific and does play therapy) as well as social skills groups.

Also, there are some provisions on special education where having a medical diagnosis is helpful. I am trying to remember but I believe your son may be near 5? Preschool rules vary by state but federally one of the special ed diagnostic categories is for kids with medical diagnosis which affect thier eduction but they don't fit under another special ed category. So if your son doesn't meet the state criteria for "autism" then a medical diagnosis of Aspergers may help him qualify for special ed under the "other health impaired" section. At the very least he would qualify for a 504 plan for the time being. But those aren't all that helpful.

Aspergers and autism is more than just an educational difficulty. It affects all aspects of life so it is good to have a thorough treatment plan in effect utilizing what ever supports and services the child needs to grow and learn. So you may want to look into such medical things as seeing a neurologist, a clinical psychologist, a developmental pediatrician, social groups, music therapy, etc. There may even be state agencies with programs to help (here in california it is regional centers). For many of those things it will be helpful to have a independent medical diagnosis.

As far as cost, I suppose that depends what you want and what is covered by your insurance. The best is a neuro-psych evaluation or a full team evaluation by an autism clinic. Our neuro-psych for my oldest was covered by insurance but it took a bit of work to get them to do it. If your insurance doesn't cover that then they will likely cover a developmental pediatrician or neurologist. If you want a neuro-psych despite the cost it was like 1600 about 8 years ago when we did it. (I asked and then decided to argue with insurance).

Often many isurances will cover a "behavioral health" portion. This covers your psychiatrists and what not. That is the part for us that covers our psychologist and social skills groups so make sure to look into that. It may not be on your regular insurance.

HTH

Renee

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