Re: iq test

[Guest guest]

,

I'm not sure of US regs - if it HAS to be included in the file

(stupid rule - if it exists, it belongs in the file), then I'd reduce

the impact by having a preamble / letter / certification from an expert

(or the tester) saying why the results of this standardized are

unreliable, and based on observation this is why they think Timmy has

cognitive ability, memory, logical thinking, language etc.

Also, Hartshorne may have some references for you, which SHOULD

(you will insist) ALSO be put in the file with the test results....

Today, another teacher from the Oral School observed Penina during an

outing and told me (in a very positive way) that the strongest lesson

she learned in 30 years of teaching is to NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THESE

CHILDREN!!!!!

Regards,

Anne mom of Penina (CHARGE, 6 3/4)

[Guest guest]

,

Did you consent in writing to the IQ test? Was it conducted to NOT

reflect his vision, hearing, processing and possible other issues? If

you did not consent, you can take them to due process. If you did

consent I think you can have it removed from the file if it was not

conducted properly. If the test actually reflects his disabilities such

as vision or hearing or motor or language difficulties, it would not be

a true reflection of his IQ. It is not legal to give an iq test that

merely reflects these other disabilities.

Brown, Tim Hartshorn and Ann Gloyn, who will all be in Cleveland,

are all GREAT professional resources on this topic. Kim Blake, who

probably will be in Cleveland also, wrote about the dangers of assessing

IQ until language is fully in place in CHARGERs. I think Timmy's

language is pretty good judging from what you have shared with us in the

past, though.

iq test

hi all, just a quick question for you all. How you you keep the

district from including an iq test in the file if you don't feel it's

acurate? the tester did say that there were many variables that may not

make it accurate and under other conditions the scores may be higher.

but, the score was 70--trainable and anyone who knows timmy will say

that is ridiculous!! I'm not sayiing he's a genious, but he is smarter

than that---not that having a child with that iq is bad--if that is his

true iq. I just don't think it is. they say because it was part of the

re-eval process it has to be included--which is crazy because they knew

he was eligable just on the deaf and blind alone. just wondered what

you all did.

also any ideas for the new school --the case manager has not even

contacted the lakedrive school yet. she's making me crazy the iep is

thurs.

thanks,

maria

[Guest guest]

,

This was one of my biggest battles! Everyone here almost always

wanted to use IQ scores for Patty, especially to decide appropriate programs.

This

continues to happen even today. It would be my suggestion to demand that the

testing and scores get removed from his files and that no one ever may see

them. I believe the district must keep them but can do so elsewhere. Not in his

files, not in his school, and remember if you say so no one can ever see or

use them. NO ONE. Make sure you say they are not valid. You will get an

argument but ask how many children they have evaluated who are deaf/blind or

have

CHARGE. If they say they are " specialists " ask to see their resume. I really

feel getting rid of her scores was one of the most important things we have

done for Pat.

You can bet if you don't get rid of it now, later on down the road

someone will try to twist the information and use it. You have to know there is

not a test anywhere that is normed for students who are deaf, let alone

deaf/blind, let alone the other conditions of CHARGE. All of those impact

learning, and scores. Tell them that. Not only that, how was the testing

given. Did

it account for his communication, his vision, his hearing, his health, his

attention span...?

Our district had Patty evaluated in second grade for her triennial.

The Psychologist tried to label Pat and use the scores educationally. She was

pretty mad when we refused them, but she was an nut then and remains one

today. She was lake a bull dog. This lady tried to tell us she had done this

for

years and was a " specialist. " She really had no clue in the world about Pat's

disabling conditions. She still doesn't, and she really doesn't understand

parents. She's a Psych for goodness sake!

Instead of scores we kept running records on Pat. We never allowed

testing until Pat was diagnosed with CHARGE. At that time her triennial was

coming up again. This time we were connected with our D/B consultant and others

who informed us about Perkins in Ma. We agreed for the eval there. It was a

true miracle! They did a complete eval. She was treated so well and

understood completely. In reading the report I was thrilled that they were

actually

talking " about Patty! " Each and every evaluator got her down to a tee. It

couldn't have been better and couldn't have been more accurate. And remember,

they had never met Patty before. I felt like all my prayers were answered and

finally someone " got it. " Yes, scores were there but they were explained and

were not limiting. (By the way, I still keep the explanations in on her IEP's.)

They honestly are the true " specialists. " I would have them evaluate any

child whith CHARGE, at any age-ANY. For the very first time we could

realistically look forward with and for Pat instead of always battling the

present.

Patty has really changed and grown because of their involvement. So have we.

No,

she's not a rocket scientist and never will be, but she has surpassed what

some people here consistently told us she would. I really don't care how far she

progresses mentally. I care that she is happy and feels content with

herself. Again, that lady didn't have a clue.

Ask yourself what are the test scores going to be used for. If it is

only to show where Timmy is currently performing with knowledge of how his

specific CHARGE characteristics are interfering with learning, that's one thing.

If it is used to decide placement, that is another. And, you can just tell

them to remove it. Demand it. That's all. You don't have to ask. Say that you

disagree with the validity of them and want them removed immediately. Make

sure you put it in writing with the date on it. You're the parent. They have

to do it. That's all.

Oh this is a topic that still irritates me.

Any by the way, 's advice was fabulous, especially reminding you

of Tim and Hartshorne, Brown, Ann Gloyn and Dr. Blake. Nice job

!

Bonnie, Mom to Kris 20, Pat CHARGE 18 and graduating soon, and wife to

[Guest guest]

- Before the meeting it sometimes helps to write out your main points

in advance. If there is an issue you think will be debated, think it

through and what your possible responses might be to different scenarios.

Think if that response would help you get what you want long term or not.

Think it through again. In the emotions of the meeting, I forget all my

practiced comebacks, so I must write them down. For example, what are the

reasons you can anticipate they would say no to the school? What are the

reasons you think they should? Do you have other resources to back up your

opinion? Write it down.

In the meeting, if your are going to blow your stack, remember to breathe

through your nose - in through your nose, out through your mouth. The nose

acts like a radiator for our brains, so nose breathing really does help you

cool off. Review your notes, and then respond.

If things are going nowhere, review where they are at and where you are at,

and ask to reconvene at a later time. If there is a compromise point let

them know what that is, then ask to reconvene at a later time, so people can

think this through and or cool off.

Hope it goes well.

Kim

> thanks for the responses about the iq testing. yes, I did sign papers saying

> he could evaluated and I'm sure the iq test was mentioned at the time. but at

> that point I was fighting for a state eval in speech and lang., and that was

> my main concern. tomorrow's meeting is not going to be fun--I did talk to the

> pt and the spec ed teacher today who were under the impression that the

> lakedrive school was strictly deaf children. they did not realize that they

> could be mainstreamed into the mountain lakes school district. now they have

> a better understanding of where we are coming from--so although they may not

> back me up they will probably not fight me on it either.

> so, keep me in your thoughts and pray I don't blow a fuse.

>

> I apologize to everyone that I'm not responding to, I am with you in spirit,

> we just have alot going on here and my g-ma is very ill--she is in kansas, so

> I am everywhere at once and trying to make it all work. and my house looks

> like 5 tornados went through it and pat's mom is coming tomorrow to watch liam

> while we go to the meeting . so, I guess i should get out the shovel and get

> started! haha.

>

> maria

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

<<If things are going nowhere, review where they are at and where you are at,

and ask to reconvene at a later time. If there is a compromise point let

them know what that is, then ask to reconvene at a later time, so people can

think this through and or cool off.>>

I always take my husband or my best friend with me. My friend is better at

difusing the situation and kicking me under the table if I get too angry.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I just don 't think these IQ tests work that great for us. I know I scored

103 and yet was able to easily make A's in college. When I told the last

counselor I had about the score she laughed and stated that my IQ is well

above normal, which is what 103 is, just normal. So I don't think they work

well for us.

Kay

She who laughs.... LASTS

iq test

>

>

> hi all, just a quick question for you all. How you you keep the

> district from including an iq test in the file if you don't feel it's

> acurate? the tester did say that there were many variables that may not

> make it accurate and under other conditions the scores may be higher.

> but, the score was 70--trainable and anyone who knows timmy will say

> that is ridiculous!! I'm not sayiing he's a genious, but he is smarter

> than that---not that having a child with that iq is bad--if that is his

> true iq. I just don't think it is. they say because it was part of the

> re-eval process it has to be included--which is crazy because they knew

> he was eligable just on the deaf and blind alone. just wondered what

> you all did.

>

> also any ideas for the new school --the case manager has not even

> contacted the lakedrive school yet. she's making me crazy the iep is

> thurs.

>

> thanks,

>

> maria

>

>

>