Officially the DX is: Unspecified Neurodevelopmental Disorder, and ADHD (combined) - moderate
The articulation disorder and metabolic condition remained. SPD dropped off the list. No LDs present, and educational knowledge & IQ is right on track. The doctor was quite happy to see that in spite of DS' difficulties, he isn't behind educationally.
DS has delays, however in the end, there wasn't enough in his case to warrant an ASD DX.
However, the psychologist did say that DS may benefit from ASD support in school, or OHI, however, we cant determine what exactly he will receive until he is in Kindergarten. The ESE dept won't meet with anyone until the kids are in school.
I am. I could breathe now, without the what's/whys of why his behavior is the way it is. Its going to be hard, but now we know what were facing, and we could now start on a plan for future treatments and therapies.
I think this is the first night we will able to have sound sleep in 3yrs.
Eta: I was wrong...DD had me up all night nursing. LOL.
I'm not sure what were the exact test names were for the LD tests, but I could like look at the packet when I get home if you want. The tests are broken down into different age ranges, ours were given from DS' age at the time of the test. . Academics were tested to see if he was K ready. Does he know his colors, some letters, numbers...things like that.
As I understand UND, its basically because he doesn't quite fit into an ASD DX, but there are problems which mimic as if it were Aspergers (behavioral specific, He sometimes lined up cars, and will run back and forth in the hallway.)
"UND" seems to be a catch-all DX, as DH expressed to the psychologist at the meeting...to which the doctor agreed.
As of now, no more meetings are needed with the doctor unless we need to. When we get into K, we will discuss with the ESE dept where we will need support.
I'm happy we can put a name to DS' struggles. Im happy we did this, but this was also the most emotionally draining thing I have been through in my whole life. DH was actually got sick from the stress, and refused to eat. I don't think I ever saw DH so scared - I reacted the opposite, calm and even keeled. Inside I could feel the stress, but I didn't let it effect me emotionally.
Hugs! Will your son o to KG this year (sorry if I missed if you said his)?
My son was Dxed with ADHD combined/mild and GAD (anxiety) NOS at the end of KG after a very rough KG year (and public Prek). I'm nervous about this year post DX. We've worked hard on his academics this summer, trying to play catch up. Mine has a lower IQ and s behind in ELA.
Hi shop, yes, DS will be entering kindergarten at a a public charter school this fall.
Does your son have an IEP or 504 in place? This will help him transition better - I'm on my cell, what grade is your son going into?
My DS does not, starting at 2yo he was dismissed from 3 private preschools, after which I did academics at home and also placed him in a playschool 2x a week, plus private pay ST and OT too. I never did public schools evals. At this point, I wish I did...but hindsight is 20/20
DS1 will have a 504. Ive already talked to the AP and i think despite its limitations it will help him. We've also talked about adding speech to his "plan," he already sees (as needed) a behavioral specialist. I'm at teacher at the school where he will be attending first grade. I have found this helpful. Unfortunately, I didn't switch schools for him earlier (he went to our home district school until March when he was suspended for defiance). He ended the year, at my school, with a saint for a teacher; someone that turned everything around. DS1 began seeing the reading interventionist and is tier 2 reading. ELA is English language arts. DS1 struggles with sounds and phonics but scored high in comprehension and math. At this point in order to get an IEP or at least testing, he will have to go through the tier program though I've been hoping that I have pulled him up some. I teach upper elem math...
Currently, Im torn on medicating him. I have the samples for Strattera but not sure what I'm going to do... I just hope he can enjoy this school year and do better. And continue to want to do better....I get exhausted with the emails and calls....hope you guys have a great year too.
Officially the DX is:
Unspecified Neurodevelopmental Disorder, and ADHD (combined) - moderate
How are you feeling now that this evaluation is complete and you have information you can take to the district. How is your DH feeling?
The Unspecified Neurodevelopmental Disorder is a new dx; TBH I don't know anyone who has been given this dx. It will be interesting to see what the school does or doesn't do with it. There's so little information on it available and what's out there is vague.
The articulation disorder and metabolic condition remained. SPD dropped off the list. No LDs present, and educational knowledge & IQ is right on track. The doctor was quite happy to see that in spite of DS' difficulties, he isn't behind educationally.
I'm curious about 2 things.
1. How was LD ruled out? Specific LD isn't diagnosed until a child is old enough to have been exposed to an age appropriate math, writing and/or reading curricula for about a year. Even a kid with sigsnificant strength in decoding/hyperlexia, would need to demonstrate comprehension to R/O Specific LD.
2. Did your clinician use the term "educationally"? Under IDEA, services are offered for children who are impacted educationally by their disabilities even if they are not necessarily impacted academically. Words matter. Academically, a five should recognize some letters, use scissors, know colors, etc. Educational skills would be broader and address his abilities as a student outside the classroom- can he converse at the lunch table or play a cooperative game at recess?
DS has delays, however in the end, there wasn't enough in his case to warrant an ASD DX.
However, the psychologist did say that DS may benefit from ASD support in school, or OHI, however, we cant determine what exactly he will receive until he is in Kindergarten. The ESE dept won't meet with anyone until the kids are in school.
Most district CSTs are 10 month employees, so they don't report until school starts. Once it does, you could ask for a MFE. You have the option of sharing the report you now have. I'd read it to be certain it supports your postion. It's unlikely they'll offer more robust ASD supports like ABA without an educational dx of ASD, which could happen. A lot of the supports and interventions for HFA overlap those for ADHD, so he should be fine from that angle. He'll likely be classified under OHI which is something of a catch-all.
Did the clinician make suggestions about a plan going forward? Therapies? Behavior mods? Medication?
This is the only diagnosis ds's developmental ped has used for him since he doesn't feel he qualifies for ASD (even though I'm less certain).
I was mentally prepared to go to the appointment leaving with an ASD(Aspergers),DX. However, the psych said though there wasn't enough to fit into that...thus the catch-all UND
Since an educational diagnosis and a medical diagnosis are different your DS may still qualify under ASD for school purposes. (If that is what you are looking for/ABA). Good luck with the school system I hope things go smoothly.
Re: Official DX is in
I think this is the first night we will able to have sound sleep in 3yrs.
Eta: I was wrong...DD had me up all night nursing. LOL.
I'm not sure what were the exact test names were for the LD tests, but I could like look at the packet when I get home if you want. The tests are broken down into different age ranges, ours were given from DS' age at the time of the test. . Academics were tested to see if he was K ready. Does he know his colors, some letters, numbers...things like that.
As I understand UND, its basically because he doesn't quite fit into an ASD DX, but there are problems which mimic as if it were Aspergers (behavioral specific, He sometimes lined up cars, and will run back and forth in the hallway.)
"UND" seems to be a catch-all DX, as DH expressed to the psychologist at the meeting...to which the doctor agreed.
As of now, no more meetings are needed with the doctor unless we need to. When we get into K, we will discuss with the ESE dept where we will need support.
I'm happy we can put a name to DS' struggles. Im happy we did this, but this was also the most emotionally draining thing I have been through in my whole life. DH was actually got sick from the stress, and refused to eat. I don't think I ever saw DH so scared - I reacted the opposite, calm and even keeled. Inside I could feel the stress, but I didn't let it effect me emotionally.
Does your son have an IEP or 504 in place? This will help him transition better - I'm on my cell, what grade is your son going into?
My DS does not, starting at 2yo he was dismissed from 3 private preschools, after which I did academics at home and also placed him in a playschool 2x a week, plus private pay ST and OT too. I never did public schools evals. At this point, I wish I did...but hindsight is 20/20
What is ELA?
Calls & emails seem to be par for the course, yes, but they don't seem to scare me, now that we know what we are facing.
Here's to a good year
However, in the end, the more we knew medically, the quicker we could get support in place and know what exactly we are facing.
Good luck with the school system I hope things go smoothly.