----- Original Message -----

From: Sandra Riggs

To: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 8:32 AM

Subject: [opengaautism] HELP finding child psychiatrist to evaluate my 3.5 yr old daughter

Will your child be attending a pre-k in the Fall?  Have you already had the eligibility meeting at the school?  It sounds like the school system gave her an eligibility under speech and language.  A medical diagnosis and an educational eligibility can be very different.  You have to demonstrate the educational impact of the child’s characteristics.  Were you able to give your input into the evaluation for the team to consider?  What testing measures did they use to evaluate?  Did they have you complete a series a questionnaires?   Did they complete a sensory profile or review the materials from your private OT?  Did you sign a “consent for placement” or agree to an IEP already?

What is present that makes the child in need of a specially designed education?  Sometimes, these are not evident in the one-to-one or multiple adults to one child that the school system does.  The difficulties with children who have deficits in social and emotional skills are often most evident when the child is with same age peers.  Too often, children with deficits in these areas can have “behavior problems” in school when the reality is their behaviors are a manifestation of their disability.   Understanding the function of the behavior helps it to be addressed properly.  An IEP designed to meet the unique needs of the child can make a tremendous difference in the child’s success in the school environment.

If you do not agree with the evaluation completed by the school system, you have a right to ask for an Independent evaluation at public expense.  This means the school system will pay for someone else to evaluate your child.  They will give you a list of possible choices …. You do not have to choose from their list. 

Do not give up … Insist that they get it right and get a good plan in place for her J  You are welcome to call me at the number below if you have questions.

Sandra Riggs
Educational Consultant and Child Advocate
770-402-2402
328 Old Farm Road
Woodstock, GA 30188
sandrariggs@comcast.net  
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as the parent of four children with disabilities, a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, a member of the Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, training received from Pete Wright on Special Education Law and Advocacy and my experience as a certified teacher in the State of Georgia for 7 years.  Please do not forward without my permission.

HELP finding child psychiatrist to evaluate my 3.5 yr old daughter w

Posted by: "mamamiae2" riliscarbrough008@comcast.net   mamamiae2

Fri Jul 4, 2008 12:22 pm (PDT)

I live in Peachtree City and have a daughter who will be 4 in Sept.
She was diagnosed PDD by her reg pediatrician /Apraxia of Speech by
her SLP two years ago and has gotten speech and OT for sensory
integration at CHOA for two years now.
The fayette county school system evaluated her and did not qualify her
as having Autism. We need an eval. from a psychologist or psychiatrist
to get a more definitive diagnosis so she can receive more services
other than speech 2x a week for 30 min. from Fay. Co. Schools. I think
she has a lot of Asperger traits (can read already, but not toilet
trained, very socially and emotionally immature, likes order and
neatness, upset when change in schedule, frequent tantrums) We have
Humana ins. and Marcus Institute does not take our insurance. We have
also seen Dr. Barbara Dunbar a year ago and will start the Easter
Seals PLAY project in August, which is based on DIR.
I cannot find someone who will evaluate her and give us a diagnosis
before the age of 5! Which is too late. She is verbal now and can
speak in 5-6 word utterances, so she can communicate when she wants.