School referral to ed psych.

MegS

My DS's school want to refer him to an ed psych which I have no problem with. The thing is they want him checked for Aspergers. Now we have had several problems over the years at school (DS is 8, yr 3) and they brought this up 2 years ago but managed to refer him to the wrong people (long story and school don't admit their mistake or that they even referrerd him!!). I have done some research on Aspergers and I think they're barking up the wrong tree. At DS's 3 year check with HV I told her I thought he was (at least) borderline ADD and nothing has changed my view of that over the years. Of course he ticks a few of the boxes for Aspergers but then I think most kids would, but he ticks a hell of a lot more of the ADD boxes. I have read Dr Christopher Green's ADHD book and its like they are describing my son. I'm far more convinced that he has ADD. Do I mention this to the school (again) or will I get a chance to speak to the ed psych myself? The school don't seem to know what will happen now. I have a really condescending head teacher (but realise that I am lucky the school want to help) who is difficult to approach and doesn't know the procedures, she doesn't hesitate to tell me that in 30 years of teaching she's never come across the behaviour my DS exhibits as if he's a freak. Any advice would be welcome.

clairehi

Sorry about what the teacher said, reflects more on her than your DS I am sure. She should not be trying to slap labels on him.

I would be very wary of the school or anyone else who is not a professional in the field trying to diagnose him with anything, keep an open mind but there is no harm in reading up so you can ask the professionals informed questions.

I would also suggest that you go to your GP to discuss your concerns. As the school messed up the referral before, best not to leave it to them alone. Maybe ask the school to provide a letter outlining their concerns (keep a copy) which you can hand to the GP (we did this). Your presence would be essential at a meeting with an ed psych or other mental health professional and they will need your permission to talk to the school and any other agencies involved.

I am going thro this with my six year old so I feel for you, the pupil referral unit (!) think he has Aspergers and I really don't.

wornoutmumoftwo

Hello

I'm no expert but I thought you had to go via the educational psychologist for the initial assessment. I say this because both my children were assessed and one is possibly on the Autistic Spectrum and one is global delay.

I don't know if it's different for older children as mine were both 3 at the time (now 4 & 6), but the psychologist did a home visit and asked me lots of questions regarding behavoural traits, did lots of assessements, games etc etc and then came out with his opinion aster about 6 months.

I am no expert but I think ADD/ADHD/Aspergers are all part of the Autistic Spectrum (sure I read that somewhere).

If you do decide to have him assessed by the psychologist you will get the opportunity to tell him her what you believe he has.

I do not accept the diagnosis my elder sonhas been given (ASD) and he has not had a formal diagnosis as I have refused on this basis, he gets all the support he needs regardless of his diagnosis, but I am lucky as I live in a small town.

Hope this helps.

elaine373

I would let them assess him anyway. They may or may not agree with the asperger theory or they might agree that he is displaying signs of it and refer him further. If he has add, or other then i am sure they will pick up on it as well You can discuss all your concerns and views when he is seen.The worst thing is for a child to go through school undiagnosed and misunderstood.Hopefully you will get the right diagnosis.All the best.

SpendHappy

Hi, I am a SENCO in a primary school and just thought I would share my views!!
Who was your son referred to previously and what were the outcomes??

I think that an ed psych assessment may be an information providing experience for you more than a labelling thing, as they should do tests on understanding, comprehension, memory etc which are the bits I always look at on the reports. It may help you to understand how your son is functioning and the next steps everyone can take to help him with his learning, more about understanding him and his mind rather than saying 'its this or that condition'.

If you believe him to be more ADD or ADHD then pop along to your GP. This is more medical than educational ( at least thats the process where I live and work!) and different people will be involved for this process.

Hope this helps and good luck

SuziQ

As Spendhappy has said,there are different avenues for different issues. My son has seen an ed psych and also attends a Childrens centre where various professioals assess him,including a Paediatrician. My son is on the Autistic spectrum-it took up to last year age 6 to finally diagnose him,as with most children he doesn't fit neatly into any box. However the Ed psych assessment is a very important part of the whole process.His school SENCO has been amazing and worth more than all of the other 'experts' put together!

Hell_Dans_Un_Handcart

ADD and Aspergers are very regularly mixed up in diagnoses - although they have as many differences as similarities - so it's worth having your son seen by the psychologist, even if you don't agree with it. A lot of ADD medications actually make Aspergers worse, so it could be especially important if he's taking anything for his condition. I wouldn't take any of it as an insult - both conditions aren't really impairments at all, they are just different ways of thinking and looking at things.

MegS

Hi, thanks for your responses. The school told us they were referring him to the ed. psych. but referred him to the family unit despite the fact we told them we didn't have the problems they had. Even the family unit were confused as to why we were there. We know he is a challenge and muddle along most of the time so they really couldn't help us. We have no problem with him being referred, I just think the school are wrong saying he has aspergers. I wasn't sure (and still aren't sure) if we would get a chance to speak to the ed.psych. and put our experiences/point of view over. The school don't believe in discipline which I think is a big problem, e.g. if he is kept in over breaktime he is allowed on the computer or to watch TV which I think is not the right way to go. If my DS wants to stay in over breaktime then he will misbehave on purpose just to do that. I'll make an appointment at the docs for him next week to discuss the situation.