finally seeing a Neuro-Dr.
Hi. The testing can take quite awhile, the kinds of tests that I remember doing were like; ink blob tests, conversations on what I'm like at home, questions about alot of pictures... It's been so long I can't remember, but your son may be tired after the testing, just a heads up, and he may not..I don't know but I remember I was. Good Luck!
My 10-year-old daughter is going for an evaluation by a neuropsychologist starting tomorrow. The testing will go from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm tomorrow and 8:30 to 11:30 am on Thursday. I know she will take the WISC (IQ test) and the Woodcock-Johnson achievement tests, but beyond that, I'm not entirely sure which tests he will use to evaluate her. The neuropsychologists we've used like kids (or they wouldn't be in the business), talk to them, get to know them and generally make it fun. I think kids usually feel good about themselves when they're done because the neuropsychologists tend to be encouraging and validate their strengths.
Hope that helps!
Not all NeuroPsychs are created equal. A good one will want school records, medical records, and will ask you to fill out a ton of forms. I felt like I filled out a million. Most pertained to behaviors, past and present. Since some PDD kids can "outgrow" old symptoms, the fact that my son had echolalia as a toddler became important because it's a marker for autism. My son was observed, tested extensively, and our NeuroPsych even did reserach at night to try to get my son rightly classified. He is a MayoClinic man and used to working hard and is in the forefront of research. We saw him at two hour intervals cuz our little guy had trouble sitting still even for 15 minutes. Two hours was a stretch. However, he mostly liked the teasting. He got as accurage an IQ test as an autistic child can get (107) and took all sorts of tests that show executive functioning problems as well as a computer test for ADHD, which he flunked, but ADHD is NOT his main issue at all (it WAS his first diagnosis). We had to drive over an hour each time to get to the doctor, but he had been referred to us by the Autism Society in our area so we were sure he knew his stuff. He refused to give us a diagnosis at all until all the testing, school records, and med records were in, as well as old psychiatric records. He was extremely comprehensive and thoughtful. In the end he said he fit "PDD-NOS' far more than any other sort of austism, that he was obviously/defintely on the spectrum. He also said that the various types of autism (there are four or five) are all unique, BUt that sometimes a kid could be misdiagnosed as having the wrong type, which is why he spent so much time with my son. This lead to a thirty page evalation, scores included, that recommended OT, PT, school setting, etc. He sat and explained to hub and I how to expect him to act since he is not a "typical" kid and never will think like we do, although his vast improvement was also "expected." Lucas has no behavior problems anymore so he wasn't put on meds. He had behavior problems galore as a toddler and very young kid in school. Our NeuroPsych seemed to get everything right. Our son is doing great and so are we now that we understand that we can't expect him to be "typical" nor does he respond to things in a "typial" way. Kids on the autism spectrum are called "Neurologically Atypical" and other kids are referred to as "typical." There is a difference in the wiring of the brains of these kids. If a child wants to learn to be social, which is commin with Aspergers, although they haven't a clue how to do it, they literraly need a textbook course in when to smile, what things to say to make conversation, etc. Your NeuroPsych should sit you down and explain all this to you and maybe keep up with your child to reassure you that things are going well and to answer the hard questions, like what will happen to him when he turnes 18 (which becomes important when they hit high school). I hope you find a great NeuroPsych and get lots of information and that he spends a lot of time with your child. You deserve it and so does your child. We were lucky. Insurance covered 100%. My son enjoyed his time there, but I don't think it made his self-esteem go up. He already has a healthy dose of that (God blessed him in many ways).
If your son gets over anxious or nervous about the neuropsyc. you can let him know that these are friendly doctors, and they really are. They really pay attention to what the child has to say about what goes on in their life and as well as the parents. Also, I think he'll feel really safe, it was a really relaxing environment for me when I went. They don't mind if you're chatty or goofy or hyper at all. They've probably seen more hyper children before.
Will we know a true diagnosis that day, or do we need to come back for more testing? Good luck from me too!!!! My daughter is going Aug.2. I am hoping to have some answers then. Please keep us posted.
Good luck, redhead. I know you will be relieved to get some answers. Keep us updated. :o)
Lisa,
When our kids have been evaluated, the neuropsychologist has scheduled an interpretative conference that is generally 1.5 to 2 hours long a week after testing for parents alone. The neuropsychologist gives his interpretations of the test results and offers recommendations. (Like PMS, we answered pages of questionnaires and provided standardized test scores and examples of classwork to the doctor prior to the testing.) The neuropsychologist also leaves time for our questions. Following this conference, the neuropsychologist writes a report (ours was not 30 pages long; rather it was 13 pages) that details test scores, diagnosis and recommendations for interventions.
What kind of time frame is your neuropsychologist giving you for your son?
I just got a referal for a neuro/dev(neuro/psych?) Her appt. will be in 4 to 8 wks. But I suppose the waiting varies on where you live. Ours may be long bc we dont live in a highly populated area. Less programs, less funding, all that jazz. But then again I do have to drive probably to Seattle, which is pretty big I suppose. I too am very excited. Finally, answers to questions I didnt know I even had. Ive ahd a hard time explaining my concerns to her ped.If it's a good NeuroPsych he will take a while before coming to a diagnosis. It takes time and lots of testing.I'm not sure wha the time frame is, but i do know he will be tested and evaluated too. Like i said i ws so glad to get the appt. right away i forgot to ask questions.
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