RE: Question about PSD eligibility assessments

[Guest guest]

Laurel,

If I were you, I would write a follow-up letter to the school with your

observations. Emphasize what things you know your son can do that weren't

measured during the assessment. I would also mention what you told us about

the fluid in the ear (and offer to show them a medical report/letter to

confirm this). I don't think the school will grant you a new assessment but

request that this letter become part of your son's educational file. If they

suggest a placement that is too restrictive, that is the time you refer them

to the letter in the educational file (which you will also have copies

on-hand to show them in case it is not in the file for some reason) and

request that a less restrictive placement be considered based on your

observations and your son's confirmed medical condition. You could also

make a copy of the medical report (or get a letter from the doc) about the

fluid in the ear. Documentation is power at IEP meetings!

Do you have any other professionals that have worked with your son who know

his capabilities well? (an SLP, An OT, Sunday school teacher, developmental

pediatrician, etc) It would be great to get a letter from them about their

observations of your son as your letter might be taken with a grain of salt

since you are biased.

Just my two cents...

Tricia Morin

North Carolina

Laurel wrote:

Hi all,

Evan had 3 of his PSD eligibility assessments this past Monday

(Speech/language; Educational; and Social). He had a little bit of a cold,

but I kept the appointment because I was afraid that he wouldn't be able to

get another appointment in time for him to be able to start school on time

(November 22nd), and I don't want to give the SD any reason to justify

starting him late.

Anyway, I had asked to sit in on the Educational and S/L assessment (done

together) and the SLP had told me that was fine, but just then the Social

Worker called me in to ask me questions in regard to the Social Assessment.

I wanted to sit in on the other assessments mainly because I was afraid that

Evan would sign something (in his consistently wrong manner...but he knows

what he means) and it would either be ignored/unrecognized or misinterpreted

(as being a possible " stim " ). Also, I figured that he would be more likely

to perform to his fullest potential if there were at least one person (me)

that he knew in the room.

Well, as I said, I didn't get to observe the other assessments. After the

SLP was done with Evan she came in to tell me that basically all he was able

to do was identify two (2) body parts (he knows *at least* 6-8) and identify

(by pointing) 3 objects (not pictures...just objects). I told her that he

is able to identify pictures and also identify many by function at home. He

also can name (through sign language) several pictures, but I didn't get to

tell her that. I also explained that he usually needs to know somebody a

little bit before he will " perform " for them.

On Wednesday, I received the report from the Learning Disabilities Teacher

Consultant (LDTC). She wrote that she was not able to administer a

standardized test because he was " self-directed " , did not respond to name

called (which he usually does these days) and had little eye-contact. He

did not follow simple directions (which he usually can...although I think

that the direction " clean up " is hardly simple).

I believe that Evan will surprise the teachers once they get to know him a

little. I am concerned that, based on this report, the LDTC may recommend a

more restrictive environment than Evan really needs. Even though I think he

would have performed better had I been in the room, I would probably accept

the assessment (for now) if not for one thing...the fact that I found out

today that one of Evan's tubes is plugged and that ear is full of fluid.

Since he had the cold on Monday, I can only assume that the ear fluid was

there Monday. If that is the case, it is very likely that Evan wasn't

hearing very well that day. He just had his Auditory Brainstem Response

Test (normal), but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have problems hearing

when his tubes aren't working. Honestly, I don't know whether if he had

perfomed to capacity whether that would change the LDTC's opinion of his

PLEP or S/L skills. However, it just seems unfair to judge his skills based

on an assessment given under

circumstances of not hearing well.

I suppose that I shouldn't complain...I mean there's no way they won't

find him eligible...right!?! But, like I said, I am concerned that they

will recommend a more restrictive environment than is necessary.

Finally to my question...Am I within my rights to request a repeat

assessment under circumstance of Evan hearing well and my being able to

translate his signs when used? I really don't think that it would affect

whether or not he would be found eligible for services...only where he is in

his educational and language skills. If I do request a repeat assessment,

will that give the SD justifcation for putting off his start date?

Thank you so much for your input...I asked you all because I respect your

opinions/knowledge about subjects like this.

Take care...

Laurel, mom to Evan (34 mo, Pierre Robin Sequence, cleft repaired,

unrepaired fistula, unilateral hernia repaired, 3rd set of ear tubes,

non-verbal but no official diagnosis yet)

[Guest guest]

Tricia,

Thank you for your reply. I was actually thinking that I should

probably write a thank you letter anyway. So maybe I would write to

thank them for the evaluations and their promptness in completing the

report and then also write what you suggested. I will also call the

pedi's office and ask for documentation that Evan had fluid in his

ears during this time period. I think that I will also request a

letter from the ENT/Audiology office confirming Evan's history of

diminished hearing during episodes of OME.

I will also ask for his therapists to write letters. Actually, I

think that they are planning to write his discharge reports soon (as

he is aging out of EI), so I might be able to use those as my

documentation.

Thanks so much...you share such great knowledge!

Laurel, mom to Evan (34 mo, Pierre Robin Sequence, non-verbal with

other delays but not yet diagosed)