Learning Disability Question

Since pre-school, i've notice that my child learned at a slower pace than his peers. Reads slow, has difficulty comprehending easy words that he should now, difficulty reading and mis-pronounciation of easy words such as look or come. I beleive that he has a learning disabilty and i need go get him evaluated. The problem is i have Medicaid and so far no one accepts it. How can i find a doctor/center that takes Medicaid anywhere in N.Y and N.J. I dont want him evaluated by his school because it will go on his permanent record. Should i let the school evaluate him dipise it going on his permanent record? What should i do? Please help

Parent Answers to "Learning Disability Question"

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I would start with a comprehensive educational evaluation by the public school. You'll have to submit a written request to formally "start the process." Truthfully, even without a formal evaluation, they've probably already got notes about your son in their records....My son's teacher was calling him an "underachiever" because his work was inconsisent, and eventually testing showed he was very intelligent, but he has reading and writing disabilities (dyslexia and dysgraphia.) It wasn't just a "lack of motivation" or whatever else the teacher wanted to blame.
The good thing about getting a school evaluation is that if you don't agree with their results, or think they did an incomplete job, you have a right to request an IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation) which basically is a 2nd opinion private evaluation, at their expense. You can see sites like www.concordspedpac.org or www.wrightslaw.com to learn more about your special education rights.
Please also join Greatschools Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11554 for more advice and support...

I agree - let the school evaluate him. Find testing outside the school at a reasonable price will be hard - your best bet is a graduate program in educational psychology - sometimes those departments will allow their students in training to do the testing for a very reduced price.
But I'd still let the school do it. It will be free and convenient.

I agree with healthy11's advice.

In addition, you could also check out the Learning Centers located here: www.childrenslearningcenters.org/about/ny.html

(604678)

My youngest 2 boys both have autism. Your number 1 partner in raising a child with a learning disability is YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. The doctors told us that neither boy would be potty trained or verbal !! The school district representatives said "we don't believe that." That was about 8 years ago. Today, both are not only mainstreamed in their appropriate grades, but both tested "advanced" and "accelerated" on their Achievement Tests last year. If the testing proves negative, than no harm to anyone, right?? But if your child needs those advocates FIND OUT SOONER REATHER THAN LATER, and have them in your corner every step-of-the-way !! Andrea in Ohio

Even if you were to get testing done by a fancy-schmancy private neurologist, you would still probably have to share the results with the school. They probably can't to do anything extra for your child without specific documentation of need.

The good news is, it's not like you son's "permanent record" from elementary school is going to follow him all through life. By the time they hit middle school, nobody cares much about what went on in 3rd grade. Heck, by middle school, most teachers don't even look at a kid's "permanent record."

So I agree with the other posters-- request testing form the school. ANd do it in writing, so they can't ignore your request.

I agree with everyone here -- let the school test him; if there is an issue the school is going to have to deal with it anyway...

...no shame in having a LD, i say!

I had my child tested a few years ago through the school, which didn't turn out very well.The school made their assessment & concluded that she was MR.I had noticed that my daughter had a LD very early on, where her communications and attention span was effected. I did take her to receive information from a psychologist & her doctor who worked with MR children, they concluded she was not one. Since then I've just tried to help her adapt to a 'regular' curriculum with the assistance from a SEd teacher. She does ok. We struggle with reading and putting clear sentences together but I still wonder what her diagnosis could be since her doctor and school counselor tell me there is nothing wrong with her she just learns differently. But she can paint beautiful pictures!

My personal thoughts are this: find a medical center and or possibly state services that will do the testing. I used to work for Children's Rehab in AL and they did all sorts of testing for what you described and more. I believe there were many receiving govt assistance...The problem I have with the schools is that they are so quick to put labels and suggest medication w/out seeking alternative methods or to just put a child in a class that may be too slow especially when dealing with minority kids.

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Learning Disability Question

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