(This was originally posted on my MySpace blog back in April)
Okay, I think that I have finally come to terms with the results of Noah’s psychological testing results. I think that I have spent the last couple of months pretending that they were wrong or something, but I guess I just need to face the truth of what autism has done to my child. So, here are Noah’s results.
On the Mullen Scales of Early Learning – AGS Edition, Noah scored the following:
Visual Reception– 23 months (at or above age level)
This is very similar to an IQ type of test in that it measures cognitive and problem-solving abilities.
Fine Motor – 22 months (1 month behind)
Noah has been doing Occupational Therapy to help with this for about 6 months and this shows that it has helped tremendously.
Receptive Language – 17 months (6 months behind)
This measures how well Noah understands what is being said to him, follows directions, etc. This is AFTER almost 6 months of speech therapy. This one was a little disheartening.
Expressive Language – 16 months (7 months behind)
This measures how well Noah expresses himself through language. Again, this is AFTER 6 months of speech therapy. I was disappointed with this one as well.
Noah’s overall level of developmental functioning is considered to be borderline because he has age-appropriate visual perception, fine motor and problem-solving skills, but significant delays in receptive and expressive language.
One of the other tests, Scales of Independent Behavior, measured Noah’s overall level of developmental functioning. (This includes motor skill, social communication, personal living, and community living skills.) This test placed Noah in the Limited Range compared to others his age. Also, his Adaptive Behaviors (dressing himself, talking, walking, a person’s ability to adapt to his/her environment) are in the Limited to Very Limited Range compared to others his age.
Simply put, Noah is NOT functioning as well as he should be given his intellectual and early developmental skills.
This is what the last paragraph of the report says,
“Based on the data collected during the course of this evaluation as well as direct observation of Noah, there is enough evidence to support the presence of an Autism Spectrum Disorder at this time. Noah’s eye contact, response to name and response to other social overtures is notably poor. He initiates very little social interactions and does not respond reciprocally to social overtures. Noah is also noted to engage in a high level of repetitive behavior and visual inspection of objects especially when he is not being interacted with directly.”
The report also mentions words like Special Education, curriculum modifications, environmental modifications, behavioral management strategies, structured environment, limited punitive feedback, etc., etc.
What?
I have to admit that when I first read the report, I was kind of crushed and overwhelmed. What did all this mean for Noah and his future? I’m still not sure, but I do know that Noah has come a LONG way since these tests were done. All we can do is hope that Noah continues to improve and we continue to make the best decisions for Noah’s future.
2 comments:
Oh, does this sound familiar. The paragraph you included from the diagnostic report matches my Chloe's almost verbatim.
It's never easy to sit idly by as total strangers tell you what's wrong with your kid, is it? But at least we know there are other mommies out here in the blogosphere who understand.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Your little boy is absolutely adorable!
Chloe's Mommy,
It was probably one of the hardest things that I have ever had to sit through. Yet, it was also somewhat of a relief to get some concrete answers and ideas on what to do next.
I don't know what I would do without the other mommies out here in the blogosphere. They are such a comfort.
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