APECSCt

Association of Parents of Exceptional Children and Siblings
Connecticut

by parents for parents

Your Subtitle text

Page 4                Medication and Evaluations

The Question: "Should we put our child on medication?"
This question presents the ultimate heart wrenching and soul searching issue you may have to address

A great way to start this debate is to read the thoughtful articles in ADDitude magazine on this topic. They also discuss alternative therapies and treatments - http://www.additudemag.com/topic/adhd-treatment/adhd-medication.html

Next: go to this link and read the interview with Dr. Barkley -  then see and share the PBS Frontline video on this topic (keep a tissue handy) -http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/interviews/barkley.html#
                                 [click where it says - "Watch online"]

Also, you should become familiar   with the 'Multi modal'/ 'MTA' Study AND the Follow Up.  Basically, the National Institute of Mental Health conducted a longitudinal study (meaning, it was conducted over an extended period of time) to determine what treatments or combintations of treatments was most effective. Later a follow up was conducted.  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/improvement-following-adhd-treatment-sustained-in-most-children.shtml (be sure to recognize the limitations of these studies)

 Here is a thoughtful analysis and checklist to run down when considering your options - http://www.health.com/health/library/mdp/0,,aa69633,00.html

Also- read "A Child in the Balance..." by Kevin Kalikow (see my book list and this link -
http://www.yourchildinthebalance.com/bio.htm)

Once again, consider the studies that have been done by Consumer Reports on treatments
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/adhd/patient-power-toolkit/adhd-treatment.htm

 AND - the Consumer Reports review of ADHD medication - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/adhd.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics Interventions Guide -This chart outlines various options for treatment of specific types of behaviors and ranks them from "best support" to "no support." A very useful tool when talking with your child's doctor about possible treatments. Go here for a copy of the chart:
http://www.aap.org/mentalhealth/docs/CR%20Psychosocial%20Interventions.F.0503.pdf

Here are my thoughts on this topic - at all times you have to consider what you think is best for your child and which course of action you feel will best equip them to excel. I believe it is a parent's duty to provide them with every opportunity to succeed and that their personal thoughts, fears or prejudices should take a back seat.

Another question: "Do we need a neuropsychological evaluation?" 

At some point you may find it necessary to consider whether or not to have a neuropsychological evaluation done. You must become familiar with what they are, what they test, and what they tell you (or not). You must consider why you may need it. It may help you to understand the biological, neurological or psychological underpinnings of your child's condition. Here are some sites to assist you (Caution: insurance coverage of this is 'iffy' and it can be expensive)

Here is a general 'Guide for Parents' - http://www.div40.org/pdf/PedNeuropscyhBroch3.pdf

Another interesting site to help explain - http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/aspergers_syndrome/50377

If a full assessment is needed, you may wish to seriously consider the Yale Child Study Center of the Yale School of Medicine - we were very impressed and grateful for their help and professionalism - http://childstudycenter.yale.edu/assessment/index.aspx

In addition - the Yale Child Study Center conducts studies on a variety of topics. If your child qualifies, you can participate in a study and get a FREE evaluation out of it !!!!!  To find out more, go to -

(I would also like to thank Dr. Caley Schwartz of Yale for her assistance and compassion. She now has private offices as well in New Haven and Ridgefield. She offers comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations as well as treatment. She can be reached at (203) 464-9053 or  caley.schwartz@att.net)

The Hallowell Centers also perform neuropsychological and diagnostic testing. They also provide a full panoply of services after testing is complete - check out their site for a full range of services offered - http://www.drhallowell.com/the-hallowell-centers/evaluative-and-ongoing-services/

Should we get an Independent Educational Evaluation or just rely on the school's testing?

Here is one take on this question: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.indep.evals.htm

Who Pays for the Independent Educational Evaluation?
http://www.cpacinc.org/materials-publications/evaluation/independent-educational-evaluation/

Understanding Psychological Evaluations:

Don't know your BASC from a hole in the wall? You're not alone.  Chances are that psychological evaluations and neuro-psychological evaluations will become part of the norm for you. It is essential that you get to know what these tests are and what they can do (or evaluate) and what they cannot do. You need to know this stuff because you will be highly encouraged to get an independent evaluation from us before you make any decisive move for your child.

A good site for understanding the various tests (make a copy and refer to it when you read your child's report) - http://concordspedpac.org/TypesTests.html

Another helpful site to give you an overview about psychoeducational assessments - http://ldlink.coe.utk.edu/understanding_report.htm

This site provides a database of more than 25,000 tests and other measurement devices -
http://www.ets.org/test_link/about


 CACLD can provide you with the incredibly helpful services of Rena Schine - a retired school psychologist who can assist in translating and understanding the school psychology reports. She is a fantastic resource !!!  She can be a phenomenal asset to you. Contact CACLD to find out more about this program - it is wonderful - http://www.cacld.org/


TESTS, MEASURES AND A LITTLE STATISTICS
Before you can successfully advocate for your child, you must know their strengths and weaknesses. To know this, you must be familiar with tests, measures and statistics to make sense of it all

Here are some really good sites and links to help you get started

What the tests mean and how they fit into to process
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/tests_measurements.html


http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.index.htm


What Do Those Reading Tests Measure?
This article will give you the a,b,c's of all those confusing reading tests
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.read.farrall.htm

Content copyright . Assoc. of Parents of Exceptional Children and Siblings. All rights reserved.
Website Builder