ISO um, developmental detective? Don't even know! Help plz

Log in / Sign Up

List of Forums + New Post Recipe Box Usergroups Following My Posts Bookmarks

Private Messages Advanced Search Rules New User Guide FAQ Advertise Contact Us

Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)

1 2 Next

View latest: 24h 48h 72h

amother

Mon, Feb 09 2015, 11:56 pm

Just had another meeting at school. DD seems to be a rather interesting case indeed. We have people working on various individual pieces of the puzzle but all seem to feel that it would be really nice to have some "big picture" insight as to what's going on.

The school rep recommended a certain person who is a BCBA. However I'm not sure how much that would help with the "big picture" problem because wouldn't they take a primarily behavioral approach? They said they liked this person because she is not firmly behaviorist but still, if that's her expertise I'm not sure how far beyond it goes? And of course this is all coming out of pocket which is a hardship for me so I'd really like to make sure I'm barking up the right tree.

Anyway, what's the alternative? What type of professional should I look for who could help us figure out what is going on with a non-textbook-case child? Seems to be some mix of sensory/processing/emotional/behavioral going on, with dramatic inconsistencies (as in, looking at the list of problems I would place bets on high functioning ASD, but looking at the child when she is NOT in problematic mode that seems quite impossible. Also, major differences between home and school, and from one day to another, but she has a SEIT who has been tracking incidents very carefully and has not picked up on any lightbulb-level pattern.) Adding to the issue is that she is very young (just turned 4) which should be a good thing that we're intervening young but on the other hand if there could be auditory processing issues or attention problems they don't even test for that at this age.

I read with interest about the "neurodevelopmental" OTs that someone is asking about in a different thread but again I don't want to waste time, money, and energy going on the wrong track. I don't want to take chances on my child's precious developmental time.

Looking for both a suggestion of what TYPE of professional to pursue as well as specific names in or around NYC area.

Aetrsnrady

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 12:03 am

You are looking for a Neuropsychologist. The good ones are very expensive and don't take insurance.
I think you should start with the NYU child study center

sped

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 12:04 am

I would suggest looking for a very good neuro-psychologist. I have been out of the NY area for a while, so don't have anyone to recommend. I found, though, that a good one has the most tools and knowledge to really figure out what is going on. (I used to recommend someone in the Great Neck area, but that was some 15-20 years ago!)

amother

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 12:28 am

I have a friend who had a negative experience with NYU child study center... next?

amother

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 2:46 am

I'm having a similar situation but with an older child - age 9 - in Israel (Jerusalem). sped, if I'm not mistaken this is where you are - do you have recommendations here with good reputation for working with and evaluating complex kids?

OP, if you want me to move to a new thread please let me know - I don't want to hijack your thread.

imasinger

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 4:19 am

You may find it helpful to have these kids evaluated by a developmental pediatrician.

I have found a fair amount of overlap with a neuropsychologist in terms of expertise and nature of testing, but at least where I am, the developmental pediatrician had a shorter wait time, was covered by insurance, and was able to prescribe when necessary.

amother

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 8:55 am

imasinger wrote:

Well then does anyone know of one of these in or near NY? Thanks imasinger

amother

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 10:19 am

Please, please also have your child tested for sleep apnea. My DD has been having trouble for a few years, but she was also not a textbook case. She had OT and we took her to a psychologist who could not pinpoint anything. We also took her to a sleep clinic. She has mild sleep apnea and we had her bloodwork done and saw she has low iron reserves. Once we took care of those problems she is B"H a different child.
A relative of mine treats pediatric sleep apnea and says that 50% of kids that exhibit ADHD- like symptoms who are treated for sleep disorders are "cured" of their ADHD.
Don't discount the other advice, but I definitely think it's worth looking into different routes.

imasinger

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 10:25 am

Your pediatrician should be able to make some recommendations. Also, you can look it up online with your insurance, so that you can find a developmental pediatrician that is covered.

amother

Tue, Feb 10 2015, 10:27 am

All of the major hospitals have some sort of pediatric development team. I take my son to dr David Meryash from LIJ. I don't know where you are, but e has an office in Hewlett and in lake success.
Also, I wouldn't discount NYU because of one persons bad experiences. No matter where you go you will find someone who had a negative experience. The reason WE don't go to NYU was because it was too expensive.

amother

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 12:40 pm

Sleep apnea has other symptoms. 50% of kids with sleep apnea may have ADHD symptoms but the relationship doesn't reverse. 50% of kids with ADHD symptoms don't have sleep apnea...

marina

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 1:17 pm

Quote:

The school rep recommended a certain person who is a BCBA. However I'm not sure how much that would help with the "big picture" problem because wouldn't they take a primarily behavioral approach? They said they liked this person because she is not firmly behaviorist but still, if that's her expertise I'm not sure how far beyond it goes? And of course this is all coming out of pocket which is a hardship for me so I'd really like to make sure I'm barking up the right tree.

Wait, what? The school is recommending it and you are being asked to pay out of pocket? Is this a public school? Have you had a public school eval yet? I'm so confused.

Ema of 5

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 1:22 pm

marina wrote:

Quote:

Wait, what? The school is recommending it and you are being asked to pay out of pocket? Is this a public school? Have you had a public school eval yet? I'm so confused.

yes, I was going to ask the same thing....everything should be through the board of ed. I only had one time where I had to pay for something out of pocket, and in retrospect, I probably could have gone through the board of ed.

Nomad

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 2:01 pm

Your best bet would be a neuropsychologist, preferably one who is also trained in performing autism assessments if necessary (ADOS and ADI trained would be ideal.) Their job is to thoroughly assess a child in many areas of functioning - to be a "developmental detective" as you described.
Developmental pediatricians sometimes test thoroughly, sometimes not, sometimes they combine the assessments from a team, and sometimes they just see the child once for a brief visit before making a diagnosis/recommendations. So if you decide to go that route, just do your homework on what this developmental pediatrician's approach is. You really want someone who will thoroughly evaluate your daughter.

Dolly Welsh

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 2:06 pm

Not saying anything about this particular case, but low iron reserves brings something to mind.

Steak.

And the fat on the steak, an essential component in brain functioning.

Dolly Welsh

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 2:09 pm

There is a time to all things. There is a time to eat fruits, vegetables and leafy greens, and there is a time not to eat fruits, vegetables and leafy greens.

Turn, turn, turn.

MamaBear

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 2:13 pm

Since when does the Board of Ed pay for a behavioral therapist or any other specialist? I'm asking seriously...

imasinger

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 2:48 pm

MamaBear wrote:

Since when does the Board of Ed pay for a behavioral therapist or any other specialist? I'm asking seriously...

IDK about NY, but in my state, my DS was evaluated by the public school and given an IEP.

Our particular plan is for 2 sessions a week of OT, 2 sessions a week of speech (I drive him every day from his day school to the PS for these), and 2 hours a week where a behavior therapist comes to our home and works with him there.

Some receive more services, some less, but this is what his IEP has.

amother

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 5:17 pm

I was the amother above who posted about sleep apnea.
Obviously not every child with ADHD symproms has sleep apnea, but is much more common than most people realize.
There are many symptoms of sleep apnea, but most parents may not realize them. One of the main symptoms is behvioral issues. Others can be snoring, mouth breathing, uneven breathing during sleep, movement in sleep, or tiredness during the day. Many of these symptoms go unnoticed by parents because they dont actually watch their children sleep.
Again, I am not stating that all ADHD kids will be cured through this, but a parent who is willing to look for any solution should definetely look into this idea.

Chavas

Tue, Feb 17 2015, 7:27 pm

It's not just sleep apnea, it may also be lack of adequate sleep.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next