To test or not to test . . . ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
To test or not to test . . . ?
10
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 5:42pm

As I've mentioned before, Henry's teacher called me to let me know that the "S-Team" had met and decided not to test Henry at this time because he is doing fine academically. I had requested the testing recommended by Henry's psych doc. She (the doc) told me that one of the tests could only be done through a doctor, but the remaining tests could be given at school--at no cost to me. So now--??


Henry had an appt with the doc today, and afterward I asked her about the testing again. She said that they could do all the testing, and it would cost me app. $370 after what our insurance covers.


I really have a hard time agreeing to pay that kind of money for tests that Henry's public school should administer since I asked for them.


So anyway--what are the pros and cons of getting him tested? And getting an official diagnosis?


Thanks.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 6:22pm

Often actually, getting testing completed outside the school district by an independent evaluator can be to your benefit as information. Schools test strictly to see if a child qualifies for special education and then to see what the learning profile is so to best service them. They will not make a medical diagnosis anyway, only an educational determination.

If there is disagreement between what you think is neccessary and the school it can be helpful to you to have the independent assessment as extra evidence. Paper work and hard evidence are good things.

Honestly, 370 is really low for testing. What kind of tests are they administering for that amount? If it is good tests I would do it to get a good independent baseline of his abilities and needs. Often independent testing if insurance doesn't cover will run into the thousands.

Right now I am investigating the whole referral process for a class I am in. Parent request is a gray area for me currently and I don't know the new law as well but plan on asking my proffessor.

I just read through a very updated book on the whole IEP process and it discusses all the appropriate steps to take when there are concerns coming from the school POV but doesn't mention at all if there are concerns from the parent and the school doesn't agree.

The process, from a teacher perspective and actually this is for the most part pro-student, is to first bring the concerns to a student study team or what ever they call it. At the SST, or S-team meeting they discuss the concerns and brain storm modifications that can be made for the student. There are actually modifications and help general education teachers should be providing for students who are struggling but may not require a full IEP. This is called "differentiation" and all teachers should practice this. It is basically modifying your lessons to meet the diverse needs of all the kids in your class and it is imperitive to keep kids in the least restrictive environment.

Then they set in a plan of action to try these modifications and to reconvene. If the problems are severe they can begin the process for referral to testing right away.

If the modifications are sufficient then often they determine there is no need to test. If there are still concerns after modifications are made then the determination is often made to begin the referral process for evaluation.

Now it is hard to know all the information from your school, but if you disagree that he is not doing ok in school then you need to start collecting evidence to this fact. I am unclear if you can go to mediation at this point but I am sure there is something you can do.

Check with Steph on the IEP board on this. Like I said, this used to be clear but I think there have been changes and I am a bit fuzzy on it.

Renee

PS but wanted to add again, for $370 even if the district had done testing, I would likely pay that small amount for a full independent eval to have that information.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 3:13am

Definetly pay the $370. My sons school district tested him in 2nd grade and found nothing wrong, except for speech. So he got speech therapy, and I was told to cut his homework in half and that should do it.

Well 3 yrs later, and a very stressed out son, and a very bad teacher this year pushed me to get the outside eval done. Longggg story but insurance doesn't cover it. It has cost me about $3000 out of my pocket, but the NP found the Dysgraphia (still testing for AS). That was the best $3000 I have ever spent.

But man, I wish it was $370 instead!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 9:12am

ditto, go for the outside testing. Its worth it.

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 9:21am

Even when our school district agreed to test our youngest, we still paid for an outside evaluation. We knew that we'd need a medical Dx to ago along with an educational classification, if we ever had to go to battle with the district. Sad though it may be, SD's are often forced to do "as little as possible" for the students because of budget issues, etc.

I would do the outside testing. Then you can always go back to the school and say (not literally) "I told you so." :-)

Amy

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Avatar for betz67
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-28-2007 - 7:34am

I totally agree! outside testing, esp for just $370 out of pocket is well worth it. Having medical backup is much better for your position should he need any kind of modifications or accomidations down the road at school. Our independent eval was about 10x this and still well worth the $$.

Betsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-28-2007 - 6:56pm

Hmm, the responses to my initial question think I may have posted something a bit confusing.


The tests I'm talking about--I don't know where I put the list--are some kind of standard testing (a WISC-something or other was one of them). None of these are medical tests--I don't think.


Is that why everyone else's tests were so expensive? Because they were medical tests?


Or are these really that much less expensive where I live?


I'm confused.


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Sun, 01-28-2007 - 8:07pm

Hi Lydia,

Everyone is talking about having a full neurological-psychological evaluation done, which is how autistic spectrum, abilities and disabilities are really best tested for. There are MANY tests in this system of testing, and the type of doctor who administers it is a neuro-psych, a neurolgist or psychiatrist. A school cannot perform many of them, but some of the tests within the full testing the schools do use in their (much less thorough) testing for suspected disabilities. This type of thorough testing usually costs between $3,000 - $4,000. We had it done once, best money we ever spent ever in our son's life --- and we will do it again in a few years. It was completely eye-opening to have our son's very specific areas of stengths and weaknesses pointed out to us and explained, and we have been much better informed about all the decisions we have had to make because of it.

I do know that, legally, the school cannot confine their testing to academics only under Federal law IDEA, but you need to take all your questions over to Steph and the gals at iVillage Special Education Plans (formerly called : IEP) board for questions on how to get your school to do the testing, now that they have turned you down, there are definitely further steps you can take to try to get that testing done anyways.

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-28-2007 - 10:42pm

NOpe the tests you are talking about are the ones we are talking about. The WISC is an IQ or cognitive test and those are the most expensive. Depending on who you have do it a battery with that included would cost you at least 1K. Actually, I believe privately that one test alone would cost over 1K. More like 1200-1500 to give and interpret/ write a report.

Last year I looked into getting an independent neuropsyche done for Cait. She already had alot of tests done through the school and just to interpret those already given, give a couple more tests (a reading test and I think a executive function rating scale) and attend a couple meetings with me was going to cost me over 3K was his estimate.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2007
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 4:32am
We had the same situation. School refused to evaluate because my son does so well academically. They even went as far as to say that even if I had an independent eval they wouldn't have to do anything about it! Doctor told me this isn't true. After a full neurophych evaluation that confirmed Asperger's, the school did have to make a plan for him. It is still a constant struggle to get them to provide him with services that would benefit him. I sometimes think the worse thing you can be is a smart kid in the special education system.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 10:43am

Yes but to clarify, a medical diagnosis does NOT neccessitate the child is eligible for special education.

To qualify for special education a child must 1) meet one of the 13 disability category criteria, 2) have that disability negatively affect thier education, and 3) reqire special education or related services to remediate that area (ie, a kid with ADHD who is completely controlled on medication does not need special ed because they don't need special education services).

There must have been something in the testing your son had that proved his education was affected. It would not have been the AS diagnosis alone.

However, and IMPORTANT point. Affecting education means more than just poor academics. That is where many schools goof. A child with AS may be doing well academically but behaviorally, socially, and emotionally is falling apart. If that is so they still qualify for special education based on needs which are not academic.

Renee

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