Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

[Guest guest]

,They are trained in how to deny services.  Only it is under the guise of " Legally defensible ARD agreements. "   Each year, at the beginning of the school year, districts said many of their employees, including the diagnostician, head of special ed, special ed teachers to this " in-service. "

There, they are instructed on the changes to special education law, and then representatives from the law firms that make their livings defending districts get up and tell them how to do it.I know because I've been to these meetings.  Parents are welcome to attend, but beware, if you ask any pertinent questions, the firs thing they will do is ask you what district you are in, and then they will call that district and give them a " head's up. "

Many parents with good cases would love to fight it allt he way to the Supreme Court, but their children don't have seven years to wait.  It takes wealthy families -- the ones who can afford to put hteir chidlren in private school while they fight,  who can go all the way.

The rest of us are up against districts with all that taxpayer money at their disposal for special ed due process etc...  In recent years, the districts in Texas have spend around 58 MILLION dollars fighting special ed parents.  Tell me what kind of programs and services that could have bought?

They are going to cut school services,and they didn't even discuss what districts waste on legal fees that could be spent on providing supports bad services.I put it a question to that wonderful attorney I know.  We'll see what he says tomorrow.  I think a class action against multiple districts is in order.  Personally, I think a class action against the State of Texas is in order.  They have done nothing but TALK about what they are " thinking " of doing for ASD kids -- then they do nothing to demand accountability, and the schools make things look good on paper as they coerce many parents into allowing the TAKS-ALT when their children don't legally qualify for it.  This is a joke of a test.

I went to the committee hearings last summer on vouchers for ASD kids.  Talk, talk, talk....no action, and tehn it is going to be too late for these kids?  I am losing $40,000 a year minimum because I have to stay home and educate my son?  I mean, I love doing it -- don't get me wrong, but living on half of what we were living on before is rough, especially with providing for Ethan's needs.  I'm bummed now because we will haveve to drop his social class.  We can afford the tuition but we can't afford the gas to get there.  The gas to get there is twice as much as the tuition.

When I hear from Mr. Gold, I'll let you guys know what he says.

[Guest guest]

how do i find out qbout this class here in houston? who put it on?Sent from my iPhone

,They are trained in how to deny services. Only it is under the guise of "Legally defensible ARD agreements." Each year, at the beginning of the school year, districts said many of their employees, including the diagnostician, head of special ed, special ed teachers to this "in-service."

There, they are instructed on the changes to special education law, and then representatives from the law firms that make their livings defending districts get up and tell them how to do it.I know because I've been to these meetings. Parents are welcome to attend, but beware, if you ask any pertinent questions, the firs thing they will do is ask you what district you are in, and then they will call that district and give them a "head's up."

Many parents with good cases would love to fight it allt he way to the Supreme Court, but their children don't have seven years to wait. It takes wealthy families -- the ones who can afford to put hteir chidlren in private school while they fight, who can go all the way.

The rest of us are up against districts with all that taxpayer money at their disposal for special ed due process etc... In recent years, the districts in Texas have spend around 58 MILLION dollars fighting special ed parents. Tell me what kind of programs and services that could have bought?

They are going to cut school services,and they didn't even discuss what districts waste on legal fees that could be spent on providing supports bad services.I put it a question to that wonderful attorney I know. We'll see what he says tomorrow. I think a class action against multiple districts is in order. Personally, I think a class action against the State of Texas is in order. They have done nothing but TALK about what they are "thinking" of doing for ASD kids -- then they do nothing to demand accountability, and the schools make things look good on paper as they coerce many parents into allowing the TAKS-ALT when their children don't legally qualify for it. This is a joke of a test.

I went to the committee hearings last summer on vouchers for ASD kids. Talk, talk, talk....no action, and tehn it is going to be too late for these kids? I am losing $40,000 a year minimum because I have to stay home and educate my son? I mean, I love doing it -- don't get me wrong, but living on half of what we were living on before is rough, especially with providing for Ethan's needs. I'm bummed now because we will haveve to drop his social class. We can afford the tuition but we can't afford the gas to get there. The gas to get there is twice as much as the tuition.

When I hear from Mr. Gold, I'll let you guys know what he says.

[Guest guest]

I am very curious.... I am thinking I may have to file due process and may be one of the few that gets what I want, only because we live in a small district which only has 9 schools..... They can't afford to fight me too hard, but at the same time you can never assume anything.... I just pray I can eventually help my daughter appropriately..... I agree though, our kids don't have 7 yrs to wait.....CarolynSent from my iPad

,They are trained in how to deny services. Only it is under the guise of "Legally defensible ARD agreements." Each year, at the beginning of the school year, districts said many of their employees, including the diagnostician, head of special ed, special ed teachers to this "in-service."

There, they are instructed on the changes to special education law, and then representatives from the law firms that make their livings defending districts get up and tell them how to do it.I know because I've been to these meetings. Parents are welcome to attend, but beware, if you ask any pertinent questions, the firs thing they will do is ask you what district you are in, and then they will call that district and give them a "head's up."

Many parents with good cases would love to fight it allt he way to the Supreme Court, but their children don't have seven years to wait. It takes wealthy families -- the ones who can afford to put hteir chidlren in private school while they fight, who can go all the way.

The rest of us are up against districts with all that taxpayer money at their disposal for special ed due process etc... In recent years, the districts in Texas have spend around 58 MILLION dollars fighting special ed parents. Tell me what kind of programs and services that could have bought?

They are going to cut school services,and they didn't even discuss what districts waste on legal fees that could be spent on providing supports bad services.I put it a question to that wonderful attorney I know. We'll see what he says tomorrow. I think a class action against multiple districts is in order. Personally, I think a class action against the State of Texas is in order. They have done nothing but TALK about what they are "thinking" of doing for ASD kids -- then they do nothing to demand accountability, and the schools make things look good on paper as they coerce many parents into allowing the TAKS-ALT when their children don't legally qualify for it. This is a joke of a test.

I went to the committee hearings last summer on vouchers for ASD kids. Talk, talk, talk....no action, and tehn it is going to be too late for these kids? I am losing $40,000 a year minimum because I have to stay home and educate my son? I mean, I love doing it -- don't get me wrong, but living on half of what we were living on before is rough, especially with providing for Ethan's needs. I'm bummed now because we will haveve to drop his social class. We can afford the tuition but we can't afford the gas to get there. The gas to get there is twice as much as the tuition.

When I hear from Mr. Gold, I'll let you guys know what he says.

[Guest guest]

It is usually put on by your regions educational service center.  For you that should be Region !V.

[Guest guest]

Yes, you may have better luck since you are in a smaller district, but you can't count on anything.  We were in a small district.  You may have to file due process.  Then there is a resolution meeting unless your district waves it.  then they may call for mediation.  Most of these cases are usually handled in mediation as in mediation, the results do not become a matter of public record where everyone can read about the  failures of districts if the parents prevail.  Districts don't want that.

They prefer to settle in mediation because then the parties are barred from speaking about what happened.   We " settled our differences. "   That's all I'm allowed to say unless a judged, congressman, senator orders me to talk about it in a judicial venue.

If you go to Due Process, then your kid is stuck in " Stay Put, " meaning that until it is settled your kid is stuck in the same meaningless program.  then if you lose at DP, you appeal to District Court.  Kid still stays put.  then if you lose there, you can appeal to a higher court, usually US SC, I think -- all in all that takes about seven years because you can bet the districts will do tactics to post-pone matters.

Some parents give a ten-day written notice to remove and then remove and place their children in a private.  This means that then, if you can show your child made progress in the private (after about a year of paying tuition on your own) You can due for reimbursement, but again, this can go from one court to the higher court and so on.  It can take years to get reimbursed.

So if any of you decide to remove and place your child in private, it is very important not to forget giving the district a ten-day, written notice to remove, place the child in private and that you intend to seek reimbursement.  Without having done this, you would have very little chance for reimbursement via the courts.

[Guest guest]

Carolyn: Don't be too sure of that.  The small town of Dripping Springs fought a parent on services that would have only cost the district $25,000-30,000 and the district spent $426,000 fighting them.  It was on Fox 26 Houston about 3 years ago. Hilda From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy [mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of CarolynSent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 9:22 PMTo: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Subject: Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism? I am very curious.... I am thinking I may have to file due process and may be one of the few that gets what I want, only because we live in a small district which only has 9 schools..... They can't afford to fight me too hard, but at the same time you can never assume anything.... I just pray I can eventually help my daughter appropriately..... I agree though, our kids don't have 7 yrs to wait.....CarolynSent from my iPad ,They are trained in how to deny services. Only it is under the guise of " Legally defensible ARD agreements. " Each year, at the beginning of the school year, districts said many of their employees, including the diagnostician, head of special ed, special ed teachers to this " in-service. " There, they are instructed on the changes to special education law, and then representatives from the law firms that make their livings defending districts get up and tell them how to do it.I know because I've been to these meetings. Parents are welcome to attend, but beware, if you ask any pertinent questions, the firs thing they will do is ask you what district you are in, and then they will call that district and give them a " head's up. " Many parents with good cases would love to fight it allt he way to the Supreme Court, but their children don't have seven years to wait. It takes wealthy families -- the ones who can afford to put hteir chidlren in private school while they fight, who can go all the way.The rest of us are up against districts with all that taxpayer money at their disposal for special ed due process etc... In recent years, the districts in Texas have spend around 58 MILLION dollars fighting special ed parents. Tell me what kind of programs and services that could have bought?They are going to cut school services,and they didn't even discuss what districts waste on legal fees that could be spent on providing supports bad services.I put it a question to that wonderful attorney I know. We'll see what he says tomorrow. I think a class action against multiple districts is in order. Personally, I think a class action against the State of Texas is in order. They have done nothing but TALK about what they are " thinking " of doing for ASD kids -- then they do nothing to demand accountability, and the schools make things look good on paper as they coerce many parents into allowing the TAKS-ALT when their children don't legally qualify for it. This is a joke of a test.I went to the committee hearings last summer on vouchers for ASD kids. Talk, talk, talk....no action, and tehn it is going to be too late for these kids? I am losing $40,000 a year minimum because I have to stay home and educate my son? I mean, I love doing it -- don't get me wrong, but living on half of what we were living on before is rough, especially with providing for Ethan's needs. I'm bummed now because we will haveve to drop his social class. We can afford the tuition but we can't afford the gas to get there. The gas to get there is twice as much as the tuition.When I hear from Mr. Gold, I'll let you guys know what he says.

[Guest guest]

Trust me, I am very aware. Interestingly I have several things on my side, I choose not to disclose here because I would rather not shoot myself in the foot.... I do know that parents tend to prevail in smaller districts, but also know not to count my chickens before they hatch. I hope not to have to go to due process, but will if I have to. CarolynSent from my iPad

Yes, you may have better luck since you are in a smaller district, but you can't count on anything. We were in a small district. You may have to file due process. Then there is a resolution meeting unless your district waves it. then they may call for mediation. Most of these cases are usually handled in mediation as in mediation, the results do not become a matter of public record where everyone can read about the failures of districts if the parents prevail. Districts don't want that.

They prefer to settle in mediation because then the parties are barred from speaking about what happened. We "settled our differences." That's all I'm allowed to say unless a judged, congressman, senator orders me to talk about it in a judicial venue.

If you go to Due Process, then your kid is stuck in "Stay Put," meaning that until it is settled your kid is stuck in the same meaningless program. then if you lose at DP, you appeal to District Court. Kid still stays put. then if you lose there, you can appeal to a higher court, usually US SC, I think -- all in all that takes about seven years because you can bet the districts will do tactics to post-pone matters.

Some parents give a ten-day written notice to remove and then remove and place their children in a private. This means that then, if you can show your child made progress in the private (after about a year of paying tuition on your own) You can due for reimbursement, but again, this can go from one court to the higher court and so on. It can take years to get reimbursed.

So if any of you decide to remove and place your child in private, it is very important not to forget giving the district a ten-day, written notice to remove, place the child in private and that you intend to seek reimbursement. Without having done this, you would have very little chance for reimbursement via the courts.

[Guest guest]

Hilda,My point exactly!  We need to find someone -- a national network that would expose this ridiculous garbage.  This proves that it is about " winning " for the district and not about what is appropriate.  It is so blatant.  There has to be a way to put a stop to spending more in fighting it then it would cost to provide the appropriate services.

Haven

[Guest guest]

How about ?? Hilda From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy [mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of Haven DeLaySent: Monday, April 11, 2011 1:37 AMTo: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Subject: Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism? Hilda,My point exactly! We need to find someone -- a national network that would expose this ridiculous garbage. This proves that it is about " winning " for the district and not about what is appropriate. It is so blatant. There has to be a way to put a stop to spending more in fighting it then it would cost to provide the appropriate services.Haven

[Guest guest]

I think your blanket statement regarding LSSP's is highly offensive. My sister is an LSSP and a pretty darn good one. I think we need to keep in mind that when we are working with the human race, there are going to be some that are better than others at whatever it is that they do.

Maybe we should move to create an LSSP spectrum. The good ones on the right and the not so good ones on the left.

Hi there! I am an LSSP as well as a BCBA, so I just wanted to answer your question by saying that neither of these credentials can officially diagnose autism. An LSSP can conduct an autism evaluation, but this is strictly for educational purposes. The LSSP should be part of a multidisciplinary team that makes a determination as to whether a child meets criteria for the disability condition of autism as specified by TEA for special education purposes. This is not an official diagnosis, it is a disability determination for educational purposes.Hope that helps!>> Does anyone know of a website they can point me to or something that specifies the required credentials of someone to diagnos a child with Autism? I assume it has to be a doctor with a MD and cant be an schools LSSP. Can a master level

psychologist diagnose Autism? Can a BCBA diagnose Autism? I appreciate any information. Thank you.>

[Guest guest]

,NEVER use the word " best " when talking to an ARD team or school about services nd supports.  Always say " That would be 'appropriate' " or " That would not be appropriate. "   As soon as a parent says the " best " about anything, the school will say, " We don't have to provide the " best. "   " We don't have to provide a Cadillac education, only an " appropriate " one.

Haven

[Guest guest]

Or use the word appropriate. Federal laws require a Free Appropriate Public Education …. Tonya From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy [mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of CarlsonSent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 7:27 AMTo: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Subject: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism? We don't use the word best, but qualified, only qualified, must be qualified, isn't qualified..... C.

[Guest guest]

Ok so I was told by a sp. Ed. Teacher that on their own lssp cannot diagnose anything but as a team they can diagnose.... Is this true??CarolynSent from my iPad

My child was diagnosed by an LSSP for Mood Disorder. It was an official diagnosis. When the school says they are diagnosing something, it is diagnosing. Seems to me that if they are not supposed to be diagnosing, but just evaluating for school purposes, then they are breaking the law, because they are officially diagnosing. The LSSP could have said ED or something else which could be interpreted as categorizing or accepting diagnoses, but he said (and in writing) that my child had Mood Disorder, NOS which my child had never been diagnosed with before. He had many diagnoses, but never that one. That was an official diagnosis by an LSSP who by his credentials as a Psychologist Associate is not licensed to diagnose except under the guidance of a psychologist (which he, himself told me), which he does not work under. He only works for the school district. So, yes the LSSPs are diagnosing. He did tell me that the school district doesn't diagnose ADHD. He said that the school district decides whether or not to accept the ADHD diagnosis, and he said only an MD's diagnoses of ADHD. I didn't ask the details about autism. But, just wanted to let people know that they do diagnose some things that they would not be able to, at least independently, if they didn't work for the school district. It is possible that an LSSP could diagnosis independently outside of the school district, but in my area, I didn't see them having such credentials.

Actually, I like the latest LSSP we had contact with. He showed care and compassion for my child. I can not say the same for all the school personnel, but most did. It only takes one person to be against services to make the situation difficult. Keep fighting, you will find care and compassion somewhere. Sometimes, you really have to work for it. I find that changing teachers has worked great wonders for us as well.

Love and prayers,

Heidi N

>

> There is a medical/psychological/DSM-IV diagnosis of autism and then there is the eligibility under IDEA. The medical/psychological/DSM-IV version can be done by a pediatrician, neurologist, or licensed psychologist. You would get a code such as 299.00.

>

> Under IDEA requirements (special education law), the IEP team determines eligibility. The team is made up of a number of people including the school psychologist/diagnostician, and the parent. A licensed school psychologist (LSSP) should be able to assign an autism label; however, they will usually refer to a licensed psychologist to do that. A diag should not be diagnosing. They should be assessing with standardized measures for areas of development such as achievement.

>

> A BCBA should only be diagnosing if they are also a licensed psychologist.

>

>

> If my child were being diagnosed, I would request a licensed psychologist with specialized training in autism and at least 5 years experience with the autism population.

>

>

> Hope this helps.

>

>

> ______________________________

> L. Olive, Ph.D., BCBA-D

>

[Guest guest]

Ok, I understand that part, but can they actually give your child a diagnosis of autism?? Our LSSP went so far to say that social security would accept their "diagnosis" for issues like SSI and Medicaid and other federal programs?? Is this possible or were they wrong?

Carolyn

To: "Texas-Autism-Advocacy " <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 7:42 AMSubject: Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

As a team, they can determine if the child is eligible for special education under one of 14 categories. Here are the categories:

Autism

Deaf-blindness

Deafness

Hearing impairment

Mental retardation

Multiple disabilities

Orthopedic impairments

Other health impaired (ADD/ADHD here)

Emotional disturbance

Specific learning disability

Speech or language impairment

Traumatic brain injury

Visual impairment, including blindness

Developmental Delay (to age 9)

As someone has already posted, each state defines the categories more specifically. Keep in mind, the child has to meet the criteria for the category AND have an educational need to benefit from the special education services.

______________________________ L. Olive, Ph.D., BCBA-D

[Guest guest]

can you use the school report to apply for ssi?thanks!lauraTo: "Texas-Autism-Advocacy " <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >Sent: Wed, April 13, 2011 2:07:19 PMSubject: Re: Re: What are the required

credentials for diagnosing Autism?

Ok, I understand that part, but can they actually give your child a diagnosis of autism?? Our LSSP went so far to say that social security would accept their "diagnosis" for issues like SSI and Medicaid and other federal programs?? Is this possible or were they wrong?

Carolyn

To: "Texas-Autism-Advocacy " <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 7:42 AMSubject: Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

As a team, they can determine if the child is eligible for special education under one of 14 categories. Here are the categories:

Autism

Deaf-blindness

Deafness

Hearing impairment

Mental retardation

Multiple disabilities

Orthopedic impairments

Other health impaired (ADD/ADHD here)

Emotional disturbance

Specific learning disability

Speech or language impairment

Traumatic brain injury

Visual impairment, including blindness

Developmental Delay (to age 9)

As someone has already posted, each state defines the categories more specifically. Keep in mind, the child has to meet the criteria for the category AND have an educational need to benefit from the special education services.

______________________________ L. Olive, Ph.D., BCBA-D