Met with the Neuropsych today

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DH and I met with the neuropsychologist who will be doing testing on DD later this year. What a relief - we had worked with her before (briefly) when DD was 4 for IQ testing - she was highly recommended, but other than the testing, we didn't spend much time with her.

We spent nearly two hours with her today going through DD's history and our observations of her behavior. She asked a lot of questions and also suggested that part of the eval should also include some observation at school, both in the classroom and on the playground. She also gave us a questionaire and Connor's eval for DD's teacher to complete (once school is back in session - If we only knew where she was being placed for 3rd grade, it would help). I am feeling so much better about things - we're finally getting somewhere and have someone who is listening to our concerns, asking appropriate questions and HELPING.

She also said that she had an earlier opening due to a cancellation and has moved DD's testing up to October. As much as the cost of this hurts (she is not an "in network" provider with our insurance, and even if she was, the insurance only covers 3 hours for testing and 2 hours to write the report/recommendations), I feel like it will be money well spent to better understand how DD learns, thinks and what we can do to make things a little easier for her. I hate to see her struggle so much - and most people just don't understand. We get comments all the time from family about how bright she is and how they just can't understand how DD just doesn't "get it".

My response to that would be something like "And I just can't understand how you don't get it."

Sorry if that sounded harsh--I hate insensitive (and ignorant-sounding) remarks like that.

I hope you all get the answers you're looking for so DD can get the assistance that will help her have to struggle less.

Good luck to you.

I think I'd have to agree with the other poster. I don't understand how THEY don't get it.

I think it is vitally important that any assessment includes observations in class and in the playground, in as many different environments as possible. No matter how quietly I try to go into school to collect my son someone, adult or child, always tells him that I'm there, so it's really hard for me to observe how he behaves when I'm not there.

My son has been observed in class, at lunchtime, in the playground and at Out of School Care, by the Ed Psychologist and the SLTs as part of his initial assessments for autism, and more recently by his new SLT. They were able to gain a much deeper understanding of him, and how he communicated with other children and adults by watching him in this way.

Sounds like you had a good meeting and that this person has a good grasp on what is required for a full evaluation.

It sounds like your on the right track and won't just come away with a diagnosis but with a good idea of your child's strengths as well as any deficits. The psychologist who tested my kids had teachers fill out forms and it was really interesting to see the differences in their scores compared to mine.

I can't wait to hear the results!