Neurological Testing

Although having a diagnosis can be a "God send" because you can get your child help through therapists, agencies, etc. However, I have found it to be quite bothersome. Why is it that us parents undergo appointments for evaluations and testing that are most of the time, duplicates. What I mean to say is, if one person or agency has recently done a test to see the performance of the child in their growth analysis in all areas, why do we have to withstand even more testing (yet SAME tests) by various organizations to determine the SAME outcome they could have with the previous test scores.

I just recently took Thomas into a Pediatric specialist who in turn refers him to a Neuro-psych for IQ testing. Thinking that the first visit would be the IQ testing, I was proven wrong. It was only a consultation. The consult consisted of a Psychologist, who came from out of state for the visit and asked just a few questions (mind you, the same questions asked on every form I ever completed, plus what was already in Thomas' file). I immediately got uptight because I felt like he was more concerned about when his flight home was, then about what was in our sons' file. Then a regular Physician came in and asked the same questions as did the Psychologist and then he said "Well, do you have any more questions before you go?"

Did I have questions? You've got to be joking!!! My #1 question "What am I here for? Why was I asked the same questions by two different people who, if you read the file, already knew the answer to? We came for an IQ test, so, test away!" You could see how frustrated I was to that ridiculous question. Next thing you know they're trying to schedule me back in a month or two. I refused and Thomas was seen in 1 1/2 weeks. That was this morning.

The story continues....I had forgotten that today was the day and that since they set aside 3 hrs to do the testing from 9am-12pm and it was 9:15, I was late. It's 50 miles round trip and I got there at 10am. They weren't quick in getting us in and started but once we were back there I thought that they would try to make up some time. NO! Just the opposite. It was the same tests he underwent just a few months ago and the paperwork they had me fill out was the same paperwork I filled out just 1 1/2 months ago for one of their agency branches. They could've got the information looked it over made the same evaluation without us being there. But, to my ignorance, I guess you have to have a PhD behind your name to have any clout.

They sure make the parent completely helpless! One thing I found out different, was that Thomas is intrigued by putting shapes into pictures and that he ranked a few grade levels higher on them. Unfortunately, I have to return on Friday to make up for the "lost" hour they really don't need. Pray I can make it out before blowing up!