Diagnosis and education

My 4 year grandson is still waiting to be evaluated by a qualified DR. My daughter is going to drive 1 1/2 hours from her home to get the evaluation done. They live in Florida. Once this is done, then the school system will do more testing. Does thi semm logical or reasonable?

Hi gramma4, and welcome to IAN.

I'm sorry to hear your family is going through this diagnostic period - it is a difficult time, when you are worried but don't yet have a clear answer.

You were asking whether it makes sense that the school district do testing after an evaluation has been done at a medical center. In my experience, that is very common.

An actual diagnosis usually comes from a specialized team at an autism clinic, or from a physician or psychiatrist, but what to do with it may come more from the school. School districts are responsible for providing a "free and appropriate public education" for individuals age 3-21 with a disability. The school district is trying to figure out how to best place a child: what program would meet their needs the best? Do they need speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), if I am not mistaken, actually requires the school district to conduct an assessment of each child with autism every 3 years.

To read about what to expect at a diagnostic evaluation, see: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/articles/frequently_asked_questions_about_autism_spectrum_diagnoses

You might also be interested in our recent "Back to School" report: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/ian_research_reports/back_to_school_2008

How great that your daughter is going somewhere even though it is a bit of a ride. My grandaughter is going on 7 and I have been unable to get them to or allow me to, take her for an evaluation even when her teacher has suggested it. My da-in-law and her family think she is just trying to get attention. I am at a loss for what to do. It breaks my heart to watch her sit and flap her hands and drift into 'her' world.

Welcome to IAN, sadhrd1.

It must be very hard to be unable to get your grandchild an evaluation for autism when you feel she needs one. You may want to visit the Grandparents Autism Network - a website that supports grandparents who are coping with this and other situations: http://www.ganinfo.org

We will actually soon have a survey on IAN Community for grandparents of children on the spectrum. Unlike our regular IAN Research project, which requires a formal diagnosis before a family can participate, even grandparents who just suspect a grandchild has autism can participate in the upcoming survey as long as they live in the U.S. or its territories. There are even questions about just this issue: if you were the one who noticed something was wrong, rather than the parents. Keep an eye on IAN Community this summer! If you get our e-newsletter, you will certainly see it announced there. (If not, you may want to click on "Manage Your Preferences" and subscribe.)