School psychologists | Autism PDD
Are school psychologists trained in depth about autism spectrum disorders? Do they have less training than a private practice psychologist?
I only ask because the psychologist doing my son's evaluation keeps making comments trying to explain away his odd behaviors. For example, he sensory seeks by taking my hands and putting them on his face/head. She made some comment as to maybe he just wants to be played with. I also mentioned to her that my 2 year old got his dx and while there he had laid on the ground and was looking at the wheel on her pull cart. I pointed out that is one thing he does when left on his own and she made the comment, "Well how else is he going to look at the wheels since they are on the ground." These are just two comments. Honestly, I don't think she has a clue about spectrum disorders.
I know our school's psychologist for this year has been >< that much help to us regarding Payne's dx. We sought out a indepedent psychologist who was a professor at the University's school of medicine to get the dx & some help.
I think it ranges. I know that I requested her credentials before I'd let her tell me anything about Payne after what she said at our last IEP meeting...I had her ruled out for any further testing.
Can't say myself but what I can attest to is that I didn't feel real confident meeting our school psych. But I already had a dx from a neuropsych, an autism consultant and was seeing psych at Univ Hospital. With all this back-up when it was time for the school to make their dx, he really couldn't stray from three outside dx's. In fact, he backed them up all the way and then actually added things in his report I found insightful. Our neuropsych report was 20 pages long and the autism consultant's report (who was making suggestions for learning in school) was about 8 pages).
And no psych's are not specifically trained in every disorder listed in the DMV, just like doctors. You have to intern/do fellowships/train differently if you're an internist, ENT, family doc, etc. There are psychs who are specific educational consultants, therapists, divorce specialists, etc.
Our school psychologist has been ok. I haven't had any complaints. I don't think she specialized in ASD by any means, but she certainly isn't ignorant and hasn't said anything to make me believe she is clueless. At the same time, I haven't learned anything from her that I didn't already figure out on my own.
That being said, the private neuropsych we met with this summer was outstanding. She was recommended to us because of her extensive experience working with kids on the spectrum. I"m more likely to go to her with questions than the school psychologist.
I thought school psych's are your "basic" psych---who is trained alittle bit in everything. Kind of like a "general practice" Dr.---no speciality---just alittle about everything.
I would NEVER trust a school psych--unless they have further education and training.
We go private for everything--psych, SLP, OT, etc.
Our psych is a neuropsych. Specializing in neuro-developmental issues---ASD and "other" neuro disorders. She's had years of experience and training---she also has a doctorate--in which I'm sure no plain school psych would ever have. If they did----they wouldn't be at a school!
[QUOTE=TwinsPB]And no psych's are not specifically trained in every disorder listed in the DMV, just like doctors. You have to intern/do fellowships/train differently if you're an internist, ENT, family doc, etc. There are psychs who are specific educational consultants, therapists, divorce specialists, etc.
[/QUOTE]Thanks! That is what I was wondering. She is older too so I'm sure things have changed a lot since she got her degree.
The school psychologist at the elementary school seemed to have a bit of a clue and I haven't even tried the one at the middle school. We went straight to private this year to get some independent testing done. The private one we are going to has extensive training in autism. I just wasn't interested in wasting time with the school and I don't think my nerves could take it right now.
The things you mentioned about what she said to "explain away" the things your son does. I get that ALL the time. It makes me want to scream and pull my hair out. I've been hearing it since Zach was little from family all the way up to now with people at school. The phrase "Well, lots of kids do that..." is guaranteed to send me right over the edge. I'm getting myself all worked up right now just thinking about it. There are few things that infuriate me but that is my big one. It minimizes what Zach goes through on a daily basis and I just can't stand it. Whew, thanks for letting me vent that one out.
Are you hinting to her about ASD concerns or have you asked for him to be evaled for ASD? I'm just wondering from her response.
If you are forward you could then ask her about her ASD experience which would then allow you the opportunity to switch her out. Our's was a C.PSych at school and I was very forward that my child be evaluated for ASD from our first meeting. She was initially going to do as little as possible testing (IQ, memory etc) I guess, that's the protocal unless other issues are suspected or brought up.
There are a few questionaires that are easily given that point to ASD and it's as simple as scoring them. We did a couple the ADI-R and Social Responsive Scale was also done by us and her teacher.
You may want to check that she is a "Dr" many schools use psychometrists who have studied psychology but don't have a doctorate.
This may sound negative, but don't forget that whether intensively trained or not, the school psychologist is still a paid employee of the school district...and therefore biased toward the district's "party line."
Although I have found good school counselors for the "mundane" educational issues, the school psychologists I have encountered during evaluations tend to be ones that are looking for reasons not to provide services, rather than reasons to provide them. I have gotten more accurate information from outside clinicians.
My son was evaluated by a BOCES school psychologist, and she was really good. I know BOCES teachers and doctors are supposed to be better trained though for special ed kids. She knows of my dd's dx and she knows the developmental ped (she has the report) referred my 3 year old for further testing through the ASD clinic due to some "atypical" behaviors. She seems to be excusing every behavior I mention for something else. Now, I know she can't give a medical dx for ASD, but I feel like doesn't "get" the more subtle autism behaviors. I feel like I am going crazy when I talk to her sometimes...almost like I am the odd one to be so worried.That is why I was wondering what kind of training your everyday psychologist gets because I am not getting the vibe from her that she has much. I know she doesn't know much about sensory disorder because I told her my son's behaviors were sensory seeking, and I asked her if she knew much about SDI and she said, "Um, well, not much." So, it got me to thinking that she might not know much about autism either since a lot of our kiddos have sensory behaviors...or else she doesn't connect the two.
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