Results are in.... | Autism PDD

We just got back from the results appt from the psychologist doing the independent evaluation. I went in expecting the worst as I always do. But in a way it went really well and in a way really awfull. So the doctor first gave us a list of all the tests he did and the results. And Collin was officially diagnosed with Autism for the second time. Lets see the school fight us now. He said there is no doubt that Collin definately has Autism. He explained all the things he saw which proved that. And those are also all the things we have been seeing at home that we have been pointing out to the school. He was in shock when we said the school claims he has no steriotypical behavior. Then he pointed to Collin at that moment who was verbally stimming. We said uh yea we know lmao. Dumb ass school ughhhh. I cant wait to hear what they have to say now. I still think they are going to try and deny it. I just want him in one class with a schedule grr. Not three flipping different schools at different days and different times. How stupid. Well that was the sort of good news. Sucks but it just gives us more leverage. He said he will communicate with the school for us and help us make our case woot. And I feel very confident that his evaluation was the most thorough yet. And he seems to really "get" Collin. So here are the results of the tests. Asperger syndrome diagnostic scale (ASDS). Both my husband and i filled out our own seperately yet managed to get the same exact score lol. At least were on the same page ha. We scored a 111 which is the 77th percentile. Meaning very likely chance of Aspergers/Autism. And on the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-11 (test of day to day living skills). The average score is 100 and i scored a 59 (.3percentile) and my hubby scored a 55(.1percentile). wow i cant believe he scored so low uggh. But here is the bad news. The IQ test.... I was expecting his IQ to be low but not this low. Verbal iq 70 (2nd percentile) performance 70 (2nd percentile) and the full scale IQ score is a 68 (2nd percentile). So he classifies as MR. Ughh. I dont necessarily believe it all the way. But I did watch him do the tests and he did do them to the best of his abililty. I have had this huge lump in my chest all day from it. I actually wanted to walk away with yet another Autism diagnosis just to fight the school with. But never did I expect to walk away with a mental redardation diagnosis. He said for now we will just call it global developmental delayed until he gets older. ok thats it. Good and bad news, well in a way. Who da thunk?? :)

Some times kids on the spectrum don't score well on an IQ test so I wouldnt worry about that so much. Most kids on the spectrum are very difficult to test and therefore tend to come out in the MR range. It could be because they are used to answering questions or doing things in on particular manner such as "point to the..." and maybe the doctor said "where is the..." and it would not mean the same thing to a child on the spectrum. Go fight that school now!!!!! Good luck.I'm so glad you got some answers, and especially glad that you have someone in your corner to help you with the school system. It really sounds like it might be time for you to get an advocate for Collin if the school continues to fight an appropriate placement for him. Also, IQ tests are really not reliable until six or older. I know it's easier said than done, but don't worry about that aspect of it right now.

Hi ormom,

Tough blow, but I know that you know that sometimes kids with language delays do not do well on these tests, and IQ tests on four year olds (he's four, right?) aren't going to be very reliable, imo. If it makes you feel any better, Abigail scored a 59 on her first IQ test (she's not longer in the retarted range - somehow, as she learned to communicate better her IQ rose!).

Good news that you have more things to club the school with, anyways.

We're hear if you need to vent.

Social Security does not accept that a child has MR until the score is below 59. Adaptive, below 69. However, these scores are VERY unreliable until the child is well into elementary and are not valid of the child has significant language issues and are not valid if the child has significant scatter (variation among subtests). Plus, the IQ score is only a predictor of academic success, not success in life. Good luck with the schools.

Good for you - hopefully you will be able to get the school to your POV
And like all the previous posters said - please DONT let the MR label bother you - its real unreliable for our kids
Hope the school will now do what is necessary and not fight you anymore. Sarah's scores changed almost 30 points in 3 years so dont let them bother you:) Best of luck now that you got the doc on your side:) Keep us posted!Here's my two cents. I think that the schools should stay out of the way of parents. Schools sometimes stick there nose in people's personal business. If a accreditied physican says that a child has autism after evaluating them then the school should accept that decision. The schools need to stop with the drama and start trusting the parents.

thanks everyone so much. Yea the low iq score sucked but im not completly believing in it right now so hubby and i are keeping our chins high :)

I will let you all know how the school takes the news when it starts back up again

Can you get somebody in to assess your son in the school independantly? It's possible the school are noticing his stims etc but don't want to admit it, because of the funding issue.

I responded on your blog! I'm just very happy Collin is going to get the services he needs. It's bull crap what you had to go through to get it. Good for you. You fought for him! You're that boys best advocate!!!!! Now, go and give yourself a little ME time and congratulate yourself Your know your child the best. That is why your pursued the second
evaluation. Go with your gut instinct. Get what you need for your babyboy.
There is nothing like a mad Mamma to get things done right!I hope you can get the answers you need now and doors will open for you to get help for you sweetheart!

Ormom -- I know it's a hard blow to get those IQ scores. I have spent the last 4 months getting over it ... and watching Tuhina ... and noting her behaviors ... and reading, and watching some more. You probably have read posts of some of my observations, recently.

Do not give in to believing those scores -- read up on what to look for, use your eyes, BELIEVE IN HIM, and advocate accordingly for his education!