MommytoEliana
02-28-2012, 10:29 PM
Mods, I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in Special Needs Parenting--I could really use some feedback asap. Thanks!
Over the past year or so DD1 (will be 8 in June) has been having a lot of issues at school. Academically she is fine as long as she focuses on getting her work done; she is very bright (probably falls into some range of the gifted category, is in the top reading and math levels and sailing through them). However, socially there have been a number of red flags, and in some ways it seems like they are getting worse this year. She has also started exhibiting some inappropriate personal behaviors: chewing on the neckline of whatever she is wearing (which I think is probably a sensory issue that she is using as a substitute for her toe walking, which she is currently in braces for) and, more recently that we've seen, although her teacher says it has been going on for a while, sticking her hand down her pants/leggings, both in back and in front. She behaves inappropriately at school (today it was spitting/drooling and interrupting/bothering kids having another conversation), probably in an attempt to get attention, but it is annoying the other kids, and with good reason. She always feels her behavior is justified and doesn't show remorse/regret for things she has done, nor seem to understand that her actions will end up pushing away her friends.
That said, she can also be extremely sweet and loving, especially toward her baby sister. And when she has one-on-one attention, like when we do a mommy/daughter outing, she is absolutely wonderful, with little to no issues.
I could write a book about everything else, but here's my point. We are pursuing an evaluation with a practice nearby which has a developmental pediatrician and also some therapists/counselors; they also do various integrative therapies. We just sent in our paperwork and it could be a couple of months before we are able to get her in. When speaking with her teacher today, he mentioned that the next step available in the school system would be to do a focused assessment and some testing, including IQ and various umbrella testing that could identify other issues (my personal suspicion is ADD, but others have also suggested Asperger's, and who knows what else). We would need to give the okay for him to start that process rolling.
So, long story short--should we pursue the in-school testing as well as the independent evaluation? It would be free--good thing. It would likely happen sooner--good thing. However, I can't imagine that the people doing the assessment are as experienced/well-trained as at the clinic we're looking at, and I'm a little leery of having whatever conclusions they reach following her all the way through school. But...if it means that she could get whatever help/additional assistance she needs sooner, that would be great. Her teacher has made several accommodations to try to help her stay focused, reward her with extra reading time in place of doing some grade-level things that she is really beyond, works with her to help her accomplish her tasks...but he is at his wit's end, as are we. I don't really know what else to do.
Thanks for reading this novel! :-) Those who have any experience with this issue, I'd love to hear your thoughts. TIA!
Over the past year or so DD1 (will be 8 in June) has been having a lot of issues at school. Academically she is fine as long as she focuses on getting her work done; she is very bright (probably falls into some range of the gifted category, is in the top reading and math levels and sailing through them). However, socially there have been a number of red flags, and in some ways it seems like they are getting worse this year. She has also started exhibiting some inappropriate personal behaviors: chewing on the neckline of whatever she is wearing (which I think is probably a sensory issue that she is using as a substitute for her toe walking, which she is currently in braces for) and, more recently that we've seen, although her teacher says it has been going on for a while, sticking her hand down her pants/leggings, both in back and in front. She behaves inappropriately at school (today it was spitting/drooling and interrupting/bothering kids having another conversation), probably in an attempt to get attention, but it is annoying the other kids, and with good reason. She always feels her behavior is justified and doesn't show remorse/regret for things she has done, nor seem to understand that her actions will end up pushing away her friends.
That said, she can also be extremely sweet and loving, especially toward her baby sister. And when she has one-on-one attention, like when we do a mommy/daughter outing, she is absolutely wonderful, with little to no issues.
I could write a book about everything else, but here's my point. We are pursuing an evaluation with a practice nearby which has a developmental pediatrician and also some therapists/counselors; they also do various integrative therapies. We just sent in our paperwork and it could be a couple of months before we are able to get her in. When speaking with her teacher today, he mentioned that the next step available in the school system would be to do a focused assessment and some testing, including IQ and various umbrella testing that could identify other issues (my personal suspicion is ADD, but others have also suggested Asperger's, and who knows what else). We would need to give the okay for him to start that process rolling.
So, long story short--should we pursue the in-school testing as well as the independent evaluation? It would be free--good thing. It would likely happen sooner--good thing. However, I can't imagine that the people doing the assessment are as experienced/well-trained as at the clinic we're looking at, and I'm a little leery of having whatever conclusions they reach following her all the way through school. But...if it means that she could get whatever help/additional assistance she needs sooner, that would be great. Her teacher has made several accommodations to try to help her stay focused, reward her with extra reading time in place of doing some grade-level things that she is really beyond, works with her to help her accomplish her tasks...but he is at his wit's end, as are we. I don't really know what else to do.
Thanks for reading this novel! :-) Those who have any experience with this issue, I'd love to hear your thoughts. TIA!