school behavioral evalation | ADHD Information

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Can a school psychologist by law diagnose a psychiatric or behavioral condition? The one at my school clearly over-pathologizes, and my response has been to just tell her flat out that I think she's wrong, and why, and ignore her opinion. She did not actually put her strange diagnostic conclusions in the report, just all of the information she used to come to her in conclusion.

NoTellin,

I meant to mention the fact that your neuropsychologist did not find PTSD, did she?  Hmm.  No, a school psychologist cannot force you to accept a label, unless the school takes you to due process, which I never have seen a school do.

The neuro-psyche did not agree. I wonder if she needs to go to the next IEP meeting to present her findings, or if this would be meaningless. 

I believe that only a Psychiatrist (with the MD) can legally diagnose. I also advise using an out-of-school resource.

I, personally, don't know with 100% certainty if they can dx or not. However, I know they can dx learning disabilities. They are, legally, psychologists, and I have friends that have had the school psychologist dx their child.

In my case with Dylan, I didn't bother. I had a letter written by his psychiatrist listing the 4 Axis - that way I didn't have to worry about the psychologist at the school. He's a nice guy and all, but my kid is totally out of the scope of his expertise

Janna

I would definetaly get an outside professional opinion. I wouldn't trust anyone with an association to the school for an unbiased opinion, especially since so much of a dx depends on personal observations from the staff, who may have personal relationships with the school psych.

My daughters school psychologist origionally told us ADHD but said it looked like she had it but nothing in depth.  I took her to a psychologist who screened her and told us moderate to severe and ODD and the school of course wanted a copy for the CSE meeting.

 

And  no I did not answer your question sorry

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