Standardized testing
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Children with Special Needs: Standardized testing
Does anyone know of any good links or resources about standardized testing and special needs kids. I'm interested in resources particularly about ADHD (and even OCD) kids- NOT LD. Most of what I can find is about LD kids.
I strongly believe- as do most people who meet him- that my oldest son is twice exceptional (gifted/special needs). His OLSAT testing came back yesterday WAY lower than I expected. 116, 117, 118. I don't remember what was what, but my first thought is it's VERY strange to have such close results. That seems to me to tell more about how he was impacted than about the results. He was quacking (Tourette symptom) through the entire test. It seems that he can do high average work in the classroom (that's I think where the 116, 117, 118 are coming from), BUT I do not for one minute believe that is his true score. I think that's his score that averages his ability and disabilties if that makes sense.
I think he's going to need a WISC- but I'm concerned that the same thing will happen. How do you get a true score with these kids?! UGH! One more thing I have to research.... 
Have you spoken with your diagnositician? She is really your best resource at the school level. I have been very unhappy with Olsat scores and special needs students. My dd who although is not gifted has been indpendently tested and has an IQ of about 120, well via the olsat she scored around a 60, which translates to about an 85 IQ. Anyway, special needs kids can test, but they really need to have a lot of time, broken down into different days. I would reccomend using the CogAt.
Wisc, is the weschler? I have heard good things about that. Ask if he can take each part of a different day. ALSO the mental game wins here for them. Studies show that peppermint increases brain function, I have looked those up for my dd and let her chew pepperment gum while testing, this really helps her.
Ok- I'm a little new at this (from the parent perspective, at least). What's a diagnostician? He sees a school psych and a private psych. Is it one of them? I'm talking to our private psych about it on Mon.
What's the CogAt?
WISC is Weschler. An individual IQ test. What do you mean by the mental game?
A little more background from me might be helpful too. He is currently being evaluated for the gifted program. The OLSAT is one of the criteria use (there are others though). The PPT is in June. We will find out the results when school gets out.
I did email the school psych and asked her to be present at the PPT since she knows him (the other psych usually goes). Parents do NOT attend. I also said in the email that I hoped the quacking would be considered in the validity of the testing....
Oh- and BTW he did have the OLSAT administered individually with extended time. He took one break. Like I said, though, he was quacking throughout the whole test. The directions can not be repeated. If it was a loud QUACK! I doubt he heard them.... (I have to laugh.... It's just too absurd! Welcome to my life! LOL!)
My cousin's son barks on occasion. A funny story for you. One turkey day he was particular full of ticks, lots of stress in his life. My brother is not really in the know with the family, he only shows up for holidays. Well bless his heart, he was barking and sniffing and has an eye thing going for him. I talk to my brother later that day he very concerned says, "you know i think there is something wrong with him".. DUH...understatement of the year! Anyway, so I get the it's too absurd thing!
Okay your diagnostician is the person at the school who will administer most of the tests. You won't see her through the school year, but probably only once every 3 years as they redo evals. You would call the special education office and ask to speak to her.
The mental game, with my dd, (add dxed) she gets so stress about taking the test that it is like her mind and body revolt, normally if she really needs to focus she can make herself refocus when she is having issues, so when she is mentally not strong, she has a harder time with that. This really relates to her self esteem and a lot of identified special kids have self esteem issues.
the Cogat is just another iq test. It is in smaller sections and just seems to be easier chunks for kids already with focus issues (i know it mostly tourettes, but you have to lose focus with each quack!) If you can call the diagnstician you may just ask her about different iq test options.
Also you know you can do iq testing outside of the school setting and then present the scores to them, this may end up being your best bet.
We think my little guy is gifted, but we know he won't test well, so we are waiting to see if that will improve for him.
Sorry you are having such a rough time.
Can you get him privately tested through your insurance? mental health insurance... Just a guess...
My oldest daughter was tested privately, and had the WISC-R. She was being tested for LD/ADHD. The testing was done weekly for 4 weeks, an hour at a time. Hubby and I were also interviewed, and the teacher and I also filled out pages of questions.
My youngest was tested in a one time testing situation, and she did horribly. I knew if wasn't showing her true level, but it did get us the funding we needed for her.
thread spammed 7/26/06
my 8yr old is highly intelligent for her age, and absorbs things like a sponge. however, she has a difficult time with completing classwork on time, and paying attention in class. IF she has ADD, i believe it is a mild degree and not worth medicating. she is perfectly capable of focusing on movies, books, the computer, etc. for hours on end.
i had her tested for gifted last school year, and she missed it by only 2 or 3 points. the counselor, myself, her teachers, and the principle were all shocked! the counselor said she noticed a significant difference between abigail's class performance and the results of this test vs. her stanford 9 results (average-above average). she said it appears that abigail has a problem with timed tests, and therefore standardized tests will never give a true result. it was suggested i have check into private testing, but i can't afford it.
any suggestions on dealing with these issues?
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