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Q&A session 4 with the Director of The
Son-Rise Program®, Bryn N. Hogan.
Topic: Public School and Psychological
Testing
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Q: The public school
is insisting that my 11 daughter with high functioning
autism have psychological testing before she goes to
middle school. Her last testing was in kindergarten.
Because the tests they administer are language based
she does not perform well. Because of my refusal to
allow the testing, the school district has filed for
a mediation session on 3/9/00 and a due process hearing
on 3/16/00. What information do you have about standardized
tests and autism? Are there any appropriate tests to
administer to our children?
Thank you.
Toby C.
A: Dear Toby,
I think that you raise an excellent question. At this
time, many parents, and actually numerous professionals
as well, are strongly questioning the viability and
usefulness of standard testing for children with special
needs. From my own experience as a Special Education
Teacher doing testing with my students, as well as observing
countless tests and communicating with parents, it seems
clear that in many instances the test is not able to
measure a child's abilities, knowledge etc for various
reasons. Many children act very differently in an unfamiliar
environment. Oftentimes the environment is "stressful"
for the student due to the anxiety of both the parents
and those who are testing - it is no wonder that a child
who often reads at home quite often only throws the
book from the table when being tested.
Hopefully, in the future, tests will be created which
can be offered to children in their familiar environment
and can be designed around the child's motivation and
interests so as to heighten the possibility for them
to demonstrate their true abilities and special qualities.
At this time, I do not know of a test that would fill
this criteria, but I would offer you this perspective:
As a parent, trust yourself. You know your child better
than anyone else. You know and understand their areas
of challenge and their special gifts. You have a commitment
that far exceeds anyone else's involvement with your
child. Trust your love - trust your abiding interest
and caring, and know that what you believe about your
child, what you know about her abilities can never be
matched by any outside influence. This does not mean
that you would necessarily then decide never to test
her, but rather that if you do decide to have her tested,
you will do so with the knowledge that whatever is on
the final piece of paper, whatever the "score" or result,
it only has as much power as you give it.
Wishing you much luck with all of this,
Bryn
I hope that as the weeks
progress, I will have ample opportunity to answer all
the questions from everyone who is wanting support.
For me, this is another rare and unique opportunity
to offer our support and guidance to those who want
help. Thank you all for making this exciting exchange
possible through your participation. Please know you
can contact us by telephone to speak to a staff member
if you have more questions. Call us at: (413) 229-2100
Q&A Session
4
Intro to Q&A Session
4
Crying
and Screaming
Autism
and Kindergarten
Public School
and Psychological Testing
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