psychological eval & IQ testing

[andrewsmom]

Hi everyone!! I am just reading some posts on here and was wondering about psychological evals and IQ testing. First of all, are these pretty much the same thing? Or are they two totally different tests?

Andrew started pre school last week and there was never any mention of either test. From reading some of the posts on here, I got the impression that these types of tests were done when they entered pre school (?? ) and again every 3 years or so....and am I right in understanding that you can refuse to have these tests done?

I'm just asking for future reference. I honestly don't know if I would like these types of tests or not......or if the schools NEED to have these tests done. It's all a little confusing...anybody willing to help me sort this out a bit?

Thanks!!!

-Trisha

[kerri]

A psych eval is pretty much the same as an IQ test in terms of school testing. Until recently, most schools did not do formalized testing on preschoolers because even a typical 2-3 yr old can't sit for a 2 hr test. Many use checklists like the HELP Strands, which is basically a list of skills a child should have by a certain age range. Its the same kind of evaluation as they do to qualify for EI. But lately many states, including mine, are requiring formal testing to qualify for pre-k special ed. I think that IDEA allows you to refuse the testing if you want to. The test is not really a big deal at this age. I think it is more relevant for older kids. Its time consuming and can be a bit frustrating for some kids. The important thing is to not pay too much attention to the results. Those numbers really don't tell you anything worthwhile about what your child can do now or his future potential when given at such a young age. I used to have to give these tests and all they do is give bureaucrats a number for their statistics. But I've seen parents get all caught up in what that number says.

For one thing, none of the tests take into account how a child reacts to new situations and people, whether they're in a good mood that day or feeling cranky or if they're just being a typical kid and not performing because they don't feel like it. An older child has been in school for a while and is better prepared. You know Andrew and what he can do better than anyone so even if he has to take the tests, don't let it throw you.

[CC]

"am I right in understanding that you can refuse to have these tests done?"

YUP you can refuse to have them if you decided you would rather not.

Chris didn't have these tests in preschool actually Hmmm if I remember right it wasn't till he was in Kindy that they started.

We had certain conditions listed for such tests. Like am was best time of the day for Chris so they were to be done first thing in the am. When he was younger we requested that his assistant that signed be present so she could help him understand what they may be asking him. I was to be advised prior as to when the test were to be done so that if he was say not feeling well we could reschedule...

Hope that helps some

CC~

[andrewsmom]

Thanks so much!!! Yes it really does help me out with some of my questions about all this. Since Andrew has started school, I kind of feel like I need to know more and be more "prepared" all the time. It's sort of the same feeling as geting a new job and being the new one on the block....kwim? I feel a little over whelmed sometimes...

I'm sure I'll have even more questions when the school brings this up. Thanks so much for your help!!

-Trisha