Does this child need further testing?

Question

We are in the beginning process of evaluating my almost 11 year old baby sister for learning disabilities, because of her struggling and a strong family history.

The school had her teacher fill out many surveys about her, which we never received copies of, we were however told that her teachers feel she has an attention issue. The observations made by the learning strategist during her WIAT-II test also suggest this.

The only test she has received so far is the WIAT-II, which we did receive some incomplete results on. After her evaluation, we were called into the school and given a sheet of paper, that included only the following results:

Reading Comprehension- 87th percentile

Mathematics- 61st percentile

Writing- 13th percentile

Spelling- 5th percentile

The school has said that they will provide her with a computer for all written tests and assignments.

Answer 1

Well, the percentage she got on her writing and spelling tests lead to show that doing it on a computer would be better for her. But, further testing would also be useless when the percentage is that low unless she "hits the books" . What I mean by this is that she would need to study to the extreme for it to be changed no matter what with the low percentage. Further testing would be good IF she got a higher score than 13 percent on writing and 5 percent on spelling because there COULD be a chance of her doing better but as it is right now, she wouldnt stand a chance even IF she did more testing and it would only hurt her as she is right now by lowering her confidence. What you now know is what she needs to work on to better herself and help her out with writing and spelling so that she could take another test at a later time and do better on that one. Don't push for something when the grade is that low, just work to help make her better at it.

Answer 2

well from what your saying about her writting doing her stuff on a computer would obvisuly be alot better for her and I think you should have her tested for dexylisia or something because it sounds like she a lot of trouble in spelling but other than that I don't think she realy has any other learning disablites from the information given except adhd but theres medicine she can take for that

Answer 3

1. Your parents can write to the school to get copies of EVERYTHING. THe surveys, all the tests, etc. They ahve to write that according to FERPA law, the school has 45 days to get all this to the parents.

2. Schools can NOT diagnose 'attention issues'. They ONLY diagnose learning problems.

3. Sounds to me like the school did not follow the whole procedure, which is normal for schools.

4. The school can ONLY provide the computer IF the child is in special ed. If child is NOT in special ed, they can refuse the computer, deny they even said this.

5. According to IDEA law, what you do now is write to the district special ed director and request 'an independent educational evaluation by public expense because I disagree with the districts evaluation, as specified by IDEA law'.

THis is where the school will pay for another full evaluation to be done by a doctor that the PARENTS choose and NOT the school. This way the doctor won't be biased toward the school.

WHen the results of this testing come back, the school will then have another meeting and use these results to determine if child can qualfiy for special ed, even if they have already said she doesn't.

Be ready for more c**p from them when you ask for this --

1. They will tell you they will not/can not agree with this.

ILLEGAL. By law, they HAVE to pay for this OR file due process hearing.

2. THey will tell you that you have to choose a doctor from their list.  ILLEGAL

3. They will tell you that they have to choose the doctor. ILLEGAL

4. They will tell you that you have to pay and then they reimburse you.  ILLEGAL

5. THey will tell you that they can only pay a certain amount to the doctor. ILLEGAL

Answer 4

no need for it. the test the use at the school is pretty good and is standard no need to do more testing if they school says no.

Answer 5

I agree with the Special Ed Teacher: your family should read about your sister's rights in special education.  Many states have Parent Advocacy Groups to help get you up to speed.  Some school districts may avoid classifying studentsBut you must start with a paper trail; you have to write a letter to the Child study Team of your local school district asking for the evaluations to determine whether your sister has a learning disability such as dysgraphia (difficulties with written expression).  Go to the website www.wrightslaw.com and do a search of "dysgraphia." They also have a lot of other helpful information.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

What type of learning disability do you suspect?  What was the concern when you asked for testing?  Was it not finishing assignments, not understanding the work she was asked to do? Severe frustration in trying to complete homework?  Does she have poor small motor skills?   Does she have poor grades but an average IQ?  What is the family history of learning disabilities?  Do you suspect she's got a specific one that runs in the family?

Can they explain why her spelling and writing are so low?  What is the reasoning for the descrepency between those scores and the high reading comprehension?    Why did they give you incomplete results and not fully explain them.

I would demand copies of the surveys the teacher did, and ask for them to be interpreted.  I would ask for a BASC where both the teacher and family fill out forms reporting on behavior/attention issues.  If the school thinks it's an attention issue, this is a test that needs to be done, and scored, THEN explained and shown to you.   I would request this test MINIMUM in writing.   Here's a great website with sample letters that you can save, tweak, and use for this purpose.  http://www.aboutautismlaw.com/sample.htm...   This may be the test they had the teacher fill out, but for it to be a diagnostic test, you all have to fill it out. If she's got fine attention at home, but poor attention at school, what's the difference? Why is there a descrepency?  

Why can't they provide supplimental help with her writing and spelling?  Honestly, how in the heck is doing written tests and assignments on a computer going to teach her or help her improve her writing skills?  You are talking about what she produces as written language right, not just motor skills?  A computer won't teach her spelling strategies, but appropriate remediation would go a long way in helping in both those areas.  

If I knew more about your concerns, I might be able to advise on more appropriate testing,  but I would say a BASC at the very least.  It sounds like you're getting burned out, sloppy, end of the year testing being done.

Good luck

Kathi

Answer 7

I agree with shanco01--it sounds like some initial screenings were done in order to design appropriate interventions.  She obviously has difficulties with writing and spelling.  While it is possible that she has a learning disability in these areas, it sounds like the school is trying to address the problem without jumping right to the label--this is a good thing.  

If the school has done a complete evaluation--including IQ, achievement, social/emotional/behavioral assessments, you  (well, not you, but her parents) would have had to give permission for such and the school would have to present you with an evaluation report.  

It is NOT TRUE that the school is obligated to give you copies of all surveys, questionnaires, and the actual test forms.  Most of  those are copyright protected and the evaluators may be under ethical obligations to prevent them from being released.  THe school is obligated to report the results of such surveys, questionnaires, and tests forms in an interpretive report.  THe surveys and test forms themselves would be completely meaningless to you.

It sounds as though the school is trying to help her--keep in touch with them, schedule a meeting as soon as school starts up again in Sept., and try to work with them, not against them.

The poster who indicated that parents are entitled to copies of all test materials because of the FERPA regulations is incorrect.  Please see:

http://www.fetaweb.com/04/ferpa.rooker.l...

Answer 8

As a studnent of psychology, i would warn anybody against using on ly one standardized test, and observations.  She needs more testing, without a doubt, just to be safe.   it is irresponsible to use only one measure.

Plus if you want more detail request it they are required by law to give you any info asked for. (your parents).  make sure you get a complete explination of the instrument used, and what the outcomes mean.

i agree and it is poor practice to use only one measure.  There should always be multiple tests done.  She may have a disability, that won't show up in by using the test, and the test may actually give a false positive for a disability.  When a child's educational future is at stake precautions should be taken.

Answer 9

if she doesnt shes a genius i was in that class when all i had was a freaking missing tooth when i was little and they thought i was stupid !! >=[

Answer 10

obviously different states have different laws, but where i am, schools are required to give the parents copies of tests, surveys, and observation paperwork dealing with issues such as this.  i've been part of several iep meetings and have filled out parent surveys for children who are having adhd type issues at school and home.

your parents should request, and be given, copies of the evaluations.

get several opinions and get her the help she needs.

Answer 11

I am curious to know where you are living. I am a special education teacher and while I can't make a determination by looking at just those scores, I can tell you that if you, as a sister, or parent, request formal testing, the school must proceed with the referral process and hold an IEP meeting to determine eligibility.

Are you meeting to discuss interventions that are currently in place? It's fine for the teacher to meet with you informally and discuss strategies, interventions, etc., based on the Response to Intervention Model. This assists with implementing strategies prior to an official identification of disability. It kind of helps to rule out misidentification. Perhaps your school is assisting with this? RTI assists in differentiating between students w/true specific learning disabilities and students who can benefit from already in place classrooms trategies.

If you feel frustrated, look to these teachers for assistance. Don't just look at the scores. What are the issues? learning? behavior? If there are issues and strategies are in place, documentation should be there. I always write notes, minimally, if I know there is a concern or we are in the stages of referral, testing, parents have indicated concern. You are part of the educational team; don't ever forget that. The teachers need to document that strategies are working and discuss, as a team, whether further evaluation is needed. You should be advised as to what they are deciding, the process, etc. Perhaps this is a communication issue, but you need to know that you can also request a referral.

Note that this is law:

Consistent with the consent requirements in 34 CFR 300.300, either a parent of a child or a public agency may initiate a request for an initial evaluation to determine if the child is a child with a disability.

[34 CFR 300.301(b)] [20 U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(B)]

Please read the info. in the links I provided. Best of luck.

Answer 12

if you feel she need more help take  it to somebody higher.

at that level she need all the help she needs at that age. good luck.

Answer 13

Yes she needs more testing and based upon her results it looks LD.  Her academic scores range the the extremely low range to and above average range.  You can't get much more splintered than that.  For the IQ test the WISC-IV (Wechsler intelligence scale for children).  In addition they should do an ABAS-II (adaptive behavior assessment system) it looks at functioning level of the child across different modalities, and a BASC-2 (behavior assessment system for children).  The BASC looks at hyperactivity, attention, learning problems ect.  I have to caution you that this is the second time my son has had the testing (it is done every 3 years) and the results are inconclusive and I don't agree with them, in fact the team doesn't even agree with each other.  He does not fit neatly into a category.  Basically he is LD due to a social communication disorder (autism) and some of the team thinks he is EMH (educably mentally handicapped or mental retardation).  IQ tests were not designed for anyone but typically developing people so it is hard to get an accurate picture.  My own scores being LD (dyslexic) have ranged from the mental retardation range to gifted.