Trying to get an eval done

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Trying to get an eval done
9
Mon, 05-29-2006 - 8:16pm

Some days I think, no it's not anything, Joiner is just Joiner. Other days I think, he is

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Registered: 02-20-2001
Mon, 05-29-2006 - 10:07pm
I 2nd guess myself everyday!!!

 


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Avatar for kathy_in_ga
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-29-2006 - 10:22pm

We don't have any of that here where we live. I think there is a girl who is an

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-29-2006 - 10:44pm

2nd guess myself? ALL THE TIME!!!!!!But we keep trying anyway don't we?

As for the Markus Institute? What kind of evaluation would they do there? If it is just another psychiatrist type thing or is it a full multidisciplinary evaluation or a neuropysch eval.

Joiner may be able to fake it through a regular evaluation where they are observing his behaviors and talking to him, but it will be harder to fake a neuropsych eval or full team eval. They may not catch everything but there will likely be some scatters and clues to how his brain works and what is going on with it. Plus they should do a full history with you and a review of all his current records and testing. That thorough of an evaluation should be able to tell you hopefully some more information.

If your insurance doesn't cover, one option may be to see about joining a research study. Often you are paid for your time and sometimes extensive testing is done. They often can't provide a detailed assessment but you can get the results of the evaluations and often some recomendations or impressions. We did that with an ADHD genetic study when the kids were younger. Actually, I want an MRI for Cait and my insurance won't cover so I was looking for a study for kids with AS with the fMRI. Heck those are better than what my insurance would cover or would be done.

I hope you get some answers. Good luck on the move! That is scary.

Renee

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 05-29-2006 - 10:44pm

Kathy,

I wonder if the timing for an evaluation might be off? To evaluate Joiner right around a big move might not generate an accurate picture. Or maybe it will! Are you hoping the stress of the move will show more of the "true" Joiner with a Dr than you see at home?

I am about to shell out big bucks for a re-eval for Peter. It is the Dr who saw him when he wss 3, so I am hoping she can give an accurate picture from that baseline. I don't think a single cent of it is covered (yikes).

Good luck with the move and everything. What a stressful time!

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Avatar for kathy_in_ga
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 10:14am
Hi Renee, thanks for all your support and ideas. Where I live is sort of rural. We have some things, but not near enough. I left a message for the girl to call me and I will ask questions. I will also look into any studies. Someone needs to do a study on hard to DX children (kids with an alphabet), there are lots out there. And they all have the same type of symptoms.

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Avatar for sselwa
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 11:43am

Hi


Regarding the Marcus Instutiute in Atlanta.

Susan, mom to Sam 11 and Connor 9
Avatar for kathy_in_ga
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 12:32pm

Thanks. I am mostly interested right now in getting a DX. Joiner has several DX's as of now (ADHD/ODD/Bipolar). I feel that some are not correct, or may be explained by something else that is closer to what is going on with him.

Avatar for sselwa
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:14pm

For Connor initial eval I don't think we had to wait long to get an appointment.

Susan, mom to Sam 11 and Connor 9
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Registered: 04-17-2006
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 3:24pm
Kathy,
I so hear you. We have a good day with Mitchell and then I'm like thinking I'm imagining everything else or over-reacting or he'll outgrow it. Then there are the bad days. He's 4. He completely ruined a trip to the ice cream place. There are such a limited amount of things that the four of us can do that is fun as a family and we just felt crushed that the ice cream place, a sacred place for us, was "touched" as well. Anyway, try not to beat yourself up. All we can do is keep moving. Sometimes it'll be two steps forward and one step back but if we keep moving, we'll get there eventually. Me, I have my eval on 6/13 and insurance only covers part. Our part is $800! It is a 3 hour appt with a psychologist. Personally, I'm tired of neurologists, even the one that specialized in autism. They spend 10-15 minutes, ask a few questions, measure his head, check his reflexes, watch him talk to us and say eh, looks ok. Then I get a report from one in the mail that says he has behaviors on the autistic spectrum but he isn't an autistic child. wow, that was helpful. but maybe some neuro's out there are different. It's crazy to say but i'm looking forward to this appt, for someone to ask the right ?s, listen to the things i say, really observe my son. I'm in a zone right now waiting for this date. Anyway, really take care of yourself and know that even in rural areas, we are all together!!
Wendy