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Getting re-tested; need advice
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| AnimalHugger |
Posted on February 03 2009 01:52 PM
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Member
Location: United States
Posts: 191
Joined: 2008-05-24
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Okay, everyone, if you read the thread titled Test Results Came In - Not Good, you'll know the issues I've had with getting tested. To sum it up: I'm a homeschooled Junior in High School, and my family got me tested through the public school in our district that my brother goes to. THeir report came in, after a month of waiting, and told me I don't have a math LD, that my self-esteem is shot and that's why I'm faililng, and that my parents are at fault because they didn't teach me. Lies.
Well, my Papa has been against this testing all along - but when he read the report yesterday, he became LIVID. It was so shoddily done, and drew so many conclusions from false assertions (my Mama typed up over a page worth of corrections!), that my Papa couldn't believe they sent it to us. He firmly believes that they don't want to diagnose me, because then it would look bad for the school I went to in 8th grade (because they didn't catch it) and also because they are biased against homeschooling (which is obvious from some of hte phrases used in the report).
So, the story is this: My Papa wants to get me re-tested!!! According to legal procedure, he's going to go to the school, present his issues with the testing and results, and request a re-test (which, again, is standard procedure). If we are still not satisfied, it is legal to ask for testing done by an outside physcologist (which they will pay for)!
Now, my Papa asked me to find a couple of things out: 1) What test should I take? and 2) Did they miss anything when they tested me?
I took the WAIS - III test; it had two sections (well, mutiple sections were included in the two, but it was finished in two sessions).
What tests did diangosed dyscalculics take? Any advice?
I'm NOT stupid!!!!! |
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| RottieWoman |
Posted on February 03 2009 02:55 PM
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Location: No value
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I was diagnosed in 1991 by a psychologist to whom I was referred through college DSS. Looking back on the paperwork, the administered tests were:
WAIS-R
WRAT-R2 <Wide Range Achievement Test Revised>
MMPI
Incomplete Sentences
Vocational Preference Inventory
Clinical Interveiw
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| RottieWoman |
Posted on February 03 2009 03:01 PM
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Location: No value
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A couple of things I specifically recall that I would change are that the DVR counselor I was referred to after the testing did not explain much, simply said, the testing results show you have LD - nothing much else was said, and at the time, I didn't think to ask - I was much more shy than and I really wouldn't have know much WHAT to ask. If I was going to get re-tested I'd choose my own clinician and consider someone with more experience specifically with math LD and with the science of neurology, as opposed to someone coming from a psychological perspective only. |
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| monkeyfeathersmom |
Posted on February 03 2009 06:22 PM
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Location: Southeastern U.S.
Posts: 322
Joined: 2008-11-10
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AnimalHugger, do you have any of the other symptoms? Directional problems, left/right issues, time, etc? If it's just math, go for the specific tests that are for dyscalculics. If not, ask for some visual/spatial testing, nonverbal disorder testing, etc. I don't know the particular names for these tests, but a learning disorder is a learning disorder.. you can receive accommodations for the visual/spatial that lead to dyscalculia type problems. It's a broader field for testing. Just food for thought.
Good luck! I'm so happy that you're pushing for retesting!!
Parent of math impaired 14 year old daughter.
"...they think a lot of my issues are caused by math anxiety (but my anxiety would be caused by dyscalulia, now wouldn't it?)" - AnimalHugger |
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| Lostinspatial |
Posted on February 03 2009 09:46 PM
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Location: That would require me to know where I was
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I second MonkeyFeather'sMom. Or whatever it we folks with math issues do when agreeing  My test results showed visual spatial impairment, but normal math results. But as she points out, the visual spatial does affect math performance. |
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| justfoundout |
Posted on February 03 2009 10:00 PM
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Location: Texas USA
Posts: 6102
Joined: 2008-05-25
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2/3/09
Dear AnimalHugger,
I'm delighted that your father's protective instincts have been 'activated' by the shoddy treatment metted out to his precious daughter. That's what you needed more than anything right now. And your mom needed it, too. The situation is 'too much' for a mom to bear alone.
Geoff told me what tests to ask for ahead of time. And then I had a wonderful educational psychologist who gave me those very tests. They both helped me when I needed it.
- jus'
Edited by justfoundout on February 03 2009 10:02 PM |
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| twistedxkiss |
Posted on February 03 2009 10:40 PM
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Member
Location: Michigan
Posts: 555
Joined: 2008-09-19
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I had a couple pages of corrections after my first report, too. I'm glad your dad is stepping in. Good luck!
I took the WAIS and I think the WRAT, and a clinical interview. |
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| AnimalHugger |
Posted on February 04 2009 12:08 AM
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Member
Location: United States
Posts: 191
Joined: 2008-05-24
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Thanks, RottieWoman! I read your advice out loud to my Papa. It was very helpful! I intend to ask MANY questions on this meeting with the physcologists...
Well, monkeyfeathersmom, I do have other issues with direction, time, etc...But, as I've said before, this is something worth mentioning in the coming meeting. I definately plan to!
Lostinspatial...Thanks for your two cents. And as for seconding - I think I can count that high...
Justfoundout - Your post prompted my Papa to request me to PM the admin and ask them about tests...Thanks. So, what test did you end up taking, though?
Again, thanks TwistedxKiss!
Here's hoping that this round of testing will go better!
Like I said, any advice, any at all, would be great....
I'm NOT stupid!!!!! |
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| justfoundout |
Posted on February 04 2009 04:02 AM
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Member
Location: Texas USA
Posts: 6102
Joined: 2008-05-25
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2/3/09
Dear AnimalHugger,
I'll send you a PM on that. - jus' |
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| RottieWoman |
Posted on February 04 2009 04:44 AM
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Location: No value
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Joined: 2008-12-31
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u welcome, AnimalHugger!! Best Wishes!! Maybe write down things you want to ask/discuss; take copies of written articles or information from texts on math LD/dyscalculia so you can refer to them , or say - "this says THIS here, how does that relate to me?" <for example> and so on -
Write down examples of specific instances where you were confused on something that is typical of folks with dyscalulia - <examples>: like a time when you tried to pay in a shop, or find your way somewhere new, understand directions for taking a bus or whatever. |
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| eoffg |
Posted on February 04 2009 06:37 AM
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Location: Australia
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Hi AH, that's great to hear that your Papa now wants to have you re-tested!
Though I would suggest that you go straight to a request for an IEE independent educational evaluation, rather than re-test with the school psychologist again, first. As this will just waste your time.
Here's a link to an article on IEE's in WrightsLaw.com
http://www.wright...eedman.htm
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| AnimalHugger |
Posted on February 04 2009 08:36 PM
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Member
Location: United States
Posts: 191
Joined: 2008-05-24
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Justfoundout - Read the PM. Thanks!
RottieWoman - My Papa is doing just that - he is writing everything down, preparing tons of questions, etc. He's really good that way! But you're right, I should mention specific times when I've had issues....I sort of did, during the intial testing, but...Hm...Papa doesn't want me to be there, but I want to be, so we'll have to see...
Thanks, eoffg! I agree - I think we should just get independent testing, too. But apparently, according to my Papa (who read the booklet the school gave us about this stuff) we have to go through protocol, which would be another re-test. But, yes, it will probably be just a waste of time. Especially once I saw the math physcologist!
However, I'll pass on the link you posted - hopefully that will give him some new insight.
I'm NOT stupid!!!!! |
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| saruna |
Posted on February 06 2009 03:52 PM
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Member
Location: United States
Posts: 195
Joined: 2008-01-08
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I hope I'm not too late on this. I just posted an excerpt from a book I'm reading for a research paper on Dyscalculia. The thread is titled, "What the Testing Evaluation Should Include." 
Hope it helps.
-Saruna |
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| AnimalHugger |
Posted on February 06 2009 04:58 PM
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Member
Location: United States
Posts: 191
Joined: 2008-05-24
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Saruna - That is so funny! I just read your post literally 5 seconds before I clicked onto this thread! In fact, I logged in so that I could write a response to your thread!
That was VERY helpful - thank you. I'm printing it out and showing my parents. Thanks, again!
Out of curiosity - what book is it from?
I'm NOT stupid!!!!! |
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| saruna |
Posted on February 06 2009 07:10 PM
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Member
Location: United States
Posts: 195
Joined: 2008-01-08
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No problem. I'm glad I could help. I thought it was posted in the thread, but if you'd like to get the book yourself, its:
Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids
by Ellen Braaten and Gretchen Felopulos.
The Guilford Press, New York / London. 2004
Pages 196-198. |
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| Claire86 |
Posted on February 26 2009 04:06 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 12
Joined: 2009-01-24
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Hi, sorry to hear about all the trouble you've had,I am in the UK so the tests we have might be different, I'm not sure.
I was diagnosed using WAIS III(UK) (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), The Wide Range Achievment Test R4, Vernon Wardon Reading Comprehension Test (Revised). There is a lot that they need to test to get an idea of your general learning abilities and IQ so they can see that there is significant difference in your Maths,
They shouldnt take the fact that you were home-schooled into account. same as when people on these forums have mentioned not being diagnosed because they did well on there secondary education exams, I wasn't even asked about exam results, I was asked whether I struggled in maths from a young age, but you shouldn't be jugded on being home-schooled, hope you get it sorted anyway! |
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