Neuropsychological evaluation?

meghans30

Just got the word today that Trevor meets the criteria according to the Vanderbilt scale for an ADHD dx. I know this is the first step in receiving an official ADHD dx. The nurse mentioned having a neuropsych eval completed as the next step. I am not new to the world of special education (Trevor was recently exited from special education services last spring for a severe speech delay), but I am clueless as to what this will entail. Will insurance cover this? I am going to request the school test Trevor for a specific learning disability. Would this test be part of their evaluation? And how is an ADHD dx addressed in school? 

meghans30

-auntie-:

Under these circumstances, you'd want a private neuropsych which should include Conners Scales filled out by his teachers and parents. They'd probably also do an IQ test like a WISC and something to uncover atypical development around socia and, adaptive behaviors like a BASC and/or a Vineland. For Specific LD, you'd likely add acheivement tests. If there is an LD issue, his VIQ and PIQ should be significantly different and his acheivement tests would be lower than expected based on his IQ.  LD testing is difficult around kindie.

Some insurance carriers will cover this, ours did. It even covered the more extensive neurologist ordered learning profile testing. Other carriers consider this an educational issue to be covered by the local school district. You'd want the school district to evaluate as well anyway. Even if you get a private eval, the school must do their own around all areas of suspected disability.

 

Got to run. I'll come back later.

Thanks so much! Have a meeting with the teacher on Tuesday and am going to proceed from there. I knew this was coming. He is a very friendly boy who just loves to interact with other, but could def. use some help with appropriate interactions. He isn't running around the room or anything, but is more work than your typical 1st grader. Want to get this addressed ASAP, but I know it could very well be January before anything is in place for him. 

winomom22

We are having neuropsych testing done in Oct for ADHD for DD1. It's a 2 1/2 hour appt.  I will let you know how it goes. As far as I know, our insurance covers it. We had to get a referral from our Ped though and it took us a couple months to get in. I am new to this as she is my 1st child and just now in the school system. We held her back from K because of our concerns regarding ADHD. She is now in a pre-K program within the school. 

meghans30

-auntie-:

meghans30:

-auntie-:

Under these circumstances, you'd want a private neuropsych which should include Conners Scales filled out by his teachers and parents. They'd probably also do an IQ test like a WISC and something to uncover atypical development around socia and, adaptive behaviors like a BASC and/or a Vineland. For Specific LD, you'd likely add acheivement tests. If there is an LD issue, his VIQ and PIQ should be significantly different and his acheivement tests would be lower than expected based on his IQ.  LD testing is difficult around kindie.

Some insurance carriers will cover this, ours did. It even covered the more extensive neurologist ordered learning profile testing. Other carriers consider this an educational issue to be covered by the local school district. You'd want the school district to evaluate as well anyway. Even if you get a private eval, the school must do their own around all areas of suspected disability.

 

Got to run. I'll come back later.

Thanks so much! Have a meeting with the teacher on Tuesday and am going to proceed from there. I knew this was coming. He is a very friendly boy who just loves to interact with other, but could def. use some help with appropriate interactions. He isn't running around the room or anything, but is more work than your typical 1st grader. Want to get this addressed ASAP, but I know it could very well be January before anything is in place for him. 

January could even be a little "hopeful". You have 60 school days from the day you sign to give permission in which to complete the evaluation. And then 30 school days in which to write and IEP if found eligibile.

I hate to mention this, but given his inappropriate behavior around the etiquette of the classroom and his language delays, autism needs to be R/O. Autism, especially milder forms of Aspergers and PDD-Nos can look a lot like ADHD. In the old days, many older kids who got one of these dx's were mis-dx'd or not fully dx'd as ADHD. In the classroom a kid who can't behave appropriately (ADHD) and one who doesn't know what behavior is appropriate to the classroom look pretty much alike. This matters because some of the strategies to address ADHD are singularly ineffective for ASD and could actually increase his anxiety and worsen his behavior.

Yup, we are on it. I have been asking this question for a couple of years now. If he on the spectrum he would be extremely high functioning, but I'll take what ever dx will help him succeed. He has so much potential.