School Testing - Dover AFB,DE

You could have your child evaluated by a psychologist not associated with the school. I would trust an idependent psychologist more than a school psychologist.

I have friends who have done this. It can be expensive, but is also an investment in your child's well-being and future.

I would gather recommendations from trusted sources, and ask a lot of questions about the process and possible outcomes until I was comfortable before going ahead with this.

My grandson has developmental, behavioral and emotional disabilities. He has an IEP that addresses all of those issues. Until you work with the staff to form an IEP you won't know what it would contain or if one would help.

You will be talking with school staff while forming an IEP which will give you an opportunity to learn what they are seeing and how they are interpreting it.

I suggest that you go ahead with the process of formulating and IEP. You will have input, too. You don't have to agree with it. In fact it won't be utilized until you do agree.

In the meantime, I suggest that you have an independent evaluation. The school will welcome that. My grandson has been evaluated both by the school and a developmental pediatrician and her staff. The two teams work together.

Not knowing what your son's emotional disability is I cannot give you an example that directly applies to him. I'll give you an example from my experience with my 7 yo grandson who suddenly refuses to co-operate in any way. He upsets the entire classroom. His IEP includes plans to teach him how to recognize when he's angry so that he can tell the teacher, in a nice way, that he needs space which they then give him.

My grandson has been receiving evaluations and treatment since he was 2 1/2. It is a process. Your son's testing by the school is just one facet or perhaps even the first step in learning about what he needs. Talk with the psychologist about his report so that you can learn how he arrived at that diagnosis. Tell him why you disagree. Have a conversation. Give the school pyschologist and your son's therapist permission to talk with each other so that everyone gets a more complete picture of your son. It is a process.

My grandson is different at his home, when he's with me, and at school. I'm sure you'll find it's the same with your son. Yes, get another evaluation but don't discount the first one either. It takes a lot of information from different disciplines to determine what a special needs child needs.

It's possible the school labeled your child and now don't give a second thought but I'd check that out before saying that for sure. If you don't talk with his teacher and everyone else who interacts with him you won't know what they're thinking and doing. Communication with everyone is of the highest importance. Yes, it takes a lot of time and energy. Having a special need makes life very complicated for everyone involved.

We have found, that although some of the professionals with whom we've worked aren't the most knowledgeable that working with them all eventually comes somewhere close to what my grandson needs. It's taken many years but he seems to be on track now.

I'm a school psychologist and you don't have to agree to have child in sp ed services. You make the final decision for everything by signing off on the recommendation and placement. Don't sign anything without reading or asking alot of questions. I'm not sure how it works in DE but the school system will usually have a parent advocate who can assist you through the process or answer any questions you might have. You may be able to ask someone within the psychological services dept? But be aware too that depending on how "open" your school is, they may immediately judge the situation as you being in denial and/or not wanting to help your child. Teachers and schools can be brutal if the child is struggling or if they are frustrated.

Also, I've tested MANY kids who are doing fantastic at home, but really struggling at school. They feel safe at home and I'm not sure what emotional issues you're/they are seeing, but it may be magnified in the school setting. If that's the case then I would want to get her the help she may need to succeed in the classroom. You didn't mention what her grades are and whether she is having any school refusal or behavior issues at school so I can't make a total judgement on such little info, but as with anything with your child it's all up to you.

If an IEP is put in place you are invited to the meeting that decides what her placement will be. It could be as little as them having her check in with a sp ed teacher when she's having trouble to at most being in sp ed classroom full time. That decision is up to you too and you have the right to decline certain services. Don't sign it unless you want it.

As far as an independent eval, I know the county I live in will consider the information, but it doesn't necessarily change the decision. Independent eval's are expensive and most school systems don't trust the information obtained from an outside eval because most of them will write up what you want to hear since you're paying them. Just wanted you to be aware of that because it's a big expense for something that may not help you.

I would (and have had) my child tested by an outside source, in addition to the school testing, but I would have no fear of an IEP. If there is any chance a child needs help, that's what an IEP is for. The fact that your child is seeing a therapist and that he is improving supports the idea that an IEP is the way to go. The therapist could have input into what goes into the IEP. You have a huge amount of input into what goes into the IEP.
It is reasonable that the school/teachers are seeing less improvement in the classroom than you are seeing since behavior in different settings will vary and improve at different rates.
I do not buy the idea that the vast majority of teachers/educational professionals label a child and don't give them a second thought, especially when a parent is involved and motivated to do everything possible to help their child. Most of these teachers/social workers/psychologists are caring, experienced and trained individuals who want to help children to succeed.
I am speaking from experience here when I tell you that as mother's our emotions can cloud our ability hear the truth and to make the tough decisions. No judgement in this, just the way it is. I would suggest that you have an advocate, (someone who is not personally or emotionally involved with you or your family) and NEVER attend a IEP meeting without this person. Your advocate will not become emotional or feel blindsided by the professionals.
I wish you the best in helping your little one succeed.

Do outside testing, at least two, preferably three and move your kid to another school. I am a big believer in, once your kid is labeled, you have lost the battle. Why put your kid through that. Get him where the teachers love him and respond to him, not label him. Now, if it happens at the next school then you have a problem you need to recognize.

Good luck!

My 3-year-old was tested for entry into our district's inclusive preschool and I was disappointed by the results. I KNOW that he knows more than what he put forth, but they only had two hours to evaluate him (in two one-hour blocks of time) and they can only judge on what they see with their own eyes within those two hours. And these people were strangers to him, so he was extra reserved. This was in November - since then, he's made fantastic strides toward his goals (even though I know he was part way there as soon as he started) and his IEP will be updated accordingly.

go to the school board and contest the results, then talk to the superintendent and lodge a formal complaint. because after all, if the child is talking to a shrink, that is supposed to be private, and the information is not supposed to be shared with anyone outside of the shrinks office, its called doctor-patient priviledge, ask them have they ever heard of the hippocratic oath ??now, what you can do, after asking the superintendent if he wants to get sued, is hire a independent professional to evaluate your child, instead of someone with the school that obviously isnt bothering to get up to date information on the child
K. h..