[Miswimmy1]

I have been discussing with my t about my schooling. I am doing summer school to make up for the time i lost while i was in residential during the school year, and I am really struggling. I told my t that the learning specialist my school had suggested an evaluation for dyslexia and that because I am struggling so much, that i would be interested in pursuing an evaluation (If not to get a diagnosis, then to rule it out). I asked her for a referral because she does not test for LDs.

She basically told me that I was smart, that there couldn't possibly be something wrong with me because I can read and write, and did not give me a referral. I am frustrated because I have a time crunch (i have to finish these classes with a passing grade by the beginning of the upcoming school year), and I am desperate to find the reason why i am doing so badly in school. I don't think an evaluation would hurt- if it comes up positive, then i have an answer, if it comes up negative, then at least i know what i don't have. But yet she is so reluctant to even consider the possibility?

What do you do when your therapist isn't listening to you?

[Syra]

CAn the school order the test. Can a teacher make the referral to the CSE - then they have to test you, I think.

I'm sorry about your T. sounds lousy!

[Miswimmy1]

Originally Posted by Syra

CAn the school order the test.

I don't think so. I mean I think they could but it wouldn't be until the summer was over because everyone is on summer break. I need something now.

[Favorite Jeans]

Can your parents help you navigate this? This seems like a complex issue to deal with on your own. Do you need the name of a psychometric specialist or do you have a name but they won't see you without a referral (ie can't self-refer)? Who would be paying for it?

I think you have little to lose from having this examined. And as an aside, I know many smart people with learning problems. Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that mental health problems can pose a very significant barrier to academic success (even without LD). That's the big caveat: I don't think you can really diagnose ADHD for example with a lot of certainty when someone's depression or anxiety are not well controlled. There are just too many overlapping symptoms. Old report cards plus history from your parents could help shed light on whether this is primarily a learning problem or a mental health problem. It's worth recognizing that you might need and be eligible for special educational allowances because of your mental health issues even in the absence of a diagnosed LD. Good luck!

[scorpiosis37]

You don't need a referral in order to see a doctor to be tested for LD. All you need to do is go online, find a doctor or a learning center who offers the tests, and schedule an appointment. You (or your parents) can do this with or without your T's approval.

I know because I scheduled this for myself, back when I was a teenager. I had straight As and then, when they started doing timed tests my junior year of high school, I couldn't finish them in the allotted time. As a result, my grades dropped. I ended up getting a tutor, who was the one who suspected something was wrong-- I didn't need tutoring, I needed extra time to read the questions. Turned out not everyone sees the words moving around on the page when they read! So, the tutor suggested I get tested, but I couldn't find an adult to help me make an appointment, so I did it myself. I just typed my city and "testing for learning disability" into google, and I found a doctor who took my insurance. If you do have an LD, getting a diagnosis can be very helpful. LD has nothing to do with intelligence. I have an LD and a PhD.

Miswimmy, please tell your T that I have a doctorate, a genius level IQ and I have dyslexia. [and I am convinced a total sadist decided how that word should be spelled] Words don't swim for me, but they appear jumbled and I honest to god cannot tell the difference between M and W when I see them in isolation. Also p, b, and d look exactly alike. Numbers swim for me and I have to cover them with my finger so that I see them in isolation in order to write them down. 8 has always been my favorite character on the planet because nothing else looks like it and it always looks the same.

Anyway, my point, as scorpiosis' was, is that intelligence and doing well in school typically does not mean that you do not have dyslexia or some other learning disability. I also find stress and time pressures make it more difficult for me to process written information or to write well.

My youngest is dyslexic too and she is a junior in college and gets great grades, but she was modified in elementary school and I think that helped her to cope. It is not a sign of being smart or not, its just a different way of seeing things.

[learning1]

These tests can cost a lot. Hundreds and hundreds. Some higher ed schools will pay for them but I don't know if very many do that. From what others posted, it sounds like insurance covers it, so that's good.

I wonder if there are some other strategies you could use to deal with your current courses though. How much longer is there in your semester? Is it realistic to go through the process of getting tested and getting accommodations by then? Have you talked to the disability services counselors at your campus about the process and how long it takes? Maybe they could give you advice for how to talk to your professors if you need to deal with deadlines that are earlier than when you can get diagnosed. Or maybe they could tell you how to get documentation for your mental health disability and tell you what kind of accommodations they typically have related to that. In that case, you might need your t to work with you for the documentation of your mental health disability though. Have you talked to her about your specific assignments and what your doing to try to finish them and what's happening that's preventing you from doing what you need to do?

Even if you start this testing process now, it will take several months to go through the process, so it will be fall before anythings gets put in place.

Another, probably a bit quicker, option is to have your parents ask for 504 accommodations based on your current diagnosis, recent hospitalization, etc. 504 accommodations are common for cases that may not require full services such as would be needed for a special ed placement. Common 504 accommodations are copies of notes, extended time (within reason), preferential seating, etc. These could be put in place while you wait for more extensive evaluation through your school ( which can take some time). If you cuurently have an ADHD diagnosis, for instance, 504 accommodations are very common. Students with dyslexia are also generally accommodated through 504 rather than special education (rules vary by state though so it just depends where you are located).

Referral for testing does NOT need to come from a therapist, doctor, or teacher. Your parents can request evaluation.

[healed84]

Do you think YOU think you of dyslexia? I have was dx with a whole array of LDs in elementary school, and there was no T in the picture.

Let me tell you what my thought was when I read your post.. I wonder if you feeling like you are unable to do well in school has anything to do with the stress of the T switch? You seem pretty hurt by all of that.

[PBCMom]

I agree with the person who suggested you request a 504 plan for accommodations. Any medical (or mental health) diagnosis can potentially make you eligible for 504 accommodations. All you should need is something in writing from a health care professional that states your diagnosis. If you then provide that to your school guidance counselor they should be able to meet with you, your parents and your teachers to determine if there are symptoms from your diagnosed illness that impact your ability to be successful with your studies. From there they can write up a 504 plan, a legal document that your school and all teachers must adhere to, with reasonable accommodations that can allow you to be successful despite any limitations from your illness. This really should be a reasonably short process to have implemented. Then, in the meantime, you can pursue educational testing (which you should be able to arrange through your school but if not you do not need a referral to make an appointment for testing) and if it is determined you have a LD or need additional accommodations the school could either modify your 504 plan or implement an IEP, whichever is appropriate depending on the findings. But, as others indicated, the process for educational testing can be much more lengthy.

I wish you the best of luck in navigating this process. Definitely involve your parents if at all possible...having their assistance, input and support thoroughly the process will make things much easier.

[learning1]

Originally Posted by PBCMom

I agree with the person who suggested you request a 504 plan for accommodations. Any medical (or mental health) diagnosis can potentially make you eligible for 504 accommodations. All you should need is something in writing from a health care professional that states your diagnosis. If you then provide that to your school guidance counselor they should be able to meet with you, your parents and your teachers to determine if there are symptoms from your diagnosed illness that impact your ability to be successful with your studies. From there they can write up a 504 plan, a legal document that your school and all teachers must adhere to, with reasonable accommodations that can allow you to be successful despite any limitations from your illness. This really should be a reasonably short process to have implemented. Then, in the meantime, you can pursue educational testing (which you should be able to arrange through your school but if not you do not need a referral to make an appointment for testing) and if it is determined you have a LD or need additional accommodations the school could either modify your 504 plan or implement an IEP, whichever is appropriate depending on the findings. But, as others indicated, the process for educational testing can be much more lengthy.

I wish you the best of luck in navigating this process. Definitely involve your parents if at all possible...having their assistance, input and support thoroughly the process will make things much easier.

Well, that's for K- high school. The laws are really different for college. I think she's in college isn't she?

[Miswimmy1]

I am going to be a junior in high school. There is no such thing as a 504 at my school because I go to a private school. So I don't think that would be an option.

I hve no idea whether or not the t switch was influencing anything but I don't think so, a I was struggling before I even learned that I was going to have to switch therapists. I've been doing badly pretty much the entire high school time...

As for whether or not I think I have dyslexia, I think there is a possibility. I remember when I was about 11, that I complained of the lighting on the page making it hard to focus on the words. Since then, I've avoided reading as best as possible. There is a thing called scotopic sensitivity that I found while I was researching symptoms of dyslexia, and it sounds more like what I am experiencing.

[onionknight]

Maybe the way your courses are taught don't agree well with your learning style? Have you noticed any differences in the courses you don't do well in and the ones you don't struggle in?

Would it help if you sat down with someone, maybe a parent or your therapist, when you studied/ did your work? Maybe it would be less stressful if you worked through the material with the support of another person while you learn what accommodations or different study styles might help you.

[Miswimmy1]

I was thinking tho... My therapist told me that if I want to apply for accomodations for the SAT, I have to have an official diagnosis for ADHD, whatever that means. (I'm already on medication for it). Maybe if they are officially testing for that, they can official test for another thing as well? Or is that just not how it works..?

[Bill3]

Our experience as well is that you do not need a referral from T to be tested. Would your parents be willing to arrange it?

Since you are in a private school, your parents will need to find someone to do the testing and pay for it privately. This doesn't require a referral from anyone, just a request for testing when your parents find and hire someone to do so.

If there is a Scottish Rite hospital in your area, I know that they do educational testing, and unless I am mistaken, their services are free. Most likely a lengthy waiting list though. There are probably other organizations out there who provide similar evaluation services.

You would need to find someone with a good background in testing or learning disabilities, specifically dyslexia. Dyslexia testing is different testing than is done for other reading learning disabilities. In public school systems, usually dyslexia is handled through its own programming rather than special education. The qualifiers are very different. The programs for dyslexia are very structured and specialzed. Generally, most dyslexia students are identified in elementary school, receive programming through middle school, and are simply monitored by the time they are in high school in most cases. It is unusual for a student to be identified and begin services as old as you are, but having been in a private school that is not required to provide services for dyslexia, it is possible to have fallen through the cracks.

I would guess though that your school problems may be more tied to your ADHD and mental health issues than to unidentified dyslexia. You haven't mentioned that your teachers early on picked up on reading problems, particularly in the areas of word decoding and severe spelling issues (often very common early dyslexia indicators).

Depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD issues layered on top of each other are more than enough to make focus, comprehension, retention, etc. a huge learning challenge.

You might see if your parents are willing to find you a strong tutor who can help you with your studies, focus, etc. There are some decent tutoring businesses (albeit rather pricey). Also, most public school systems maintain a list of teachers who tutor privately. They aren't limited to public school students only.

I hope you can find some study help and if you really feel educational evaluation is needed, that your parents will help you persue those testing avenues.

[Miswimmy1]

I just would be feel better having a referral because that would mean t is on board. Whatever she says goes... I need to her to support this. I am not going to get anywhere if she doesn't think it's nessisary

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I just would be feel better having a referral because that would mean t is on board. Whatever she says goes... I need to her to support this. I am not going to get anywhere if she doesn't think it's nessisary

Actually, a therapist really would have very little to do with your educational testing needs. A physician who is the prescriber of your ADHD meds would really be the person who would be more involved in this process. They will have the necessary evaluation questionaires, etc. that would be filled out by parents, teachers, etc. and would then make the diagnosis (in lieu of an actual educational diagnostician). Your T really doesn't need to be part of this process at all really.

[Miswimmy1]

No but she does. Because no one is convinced that its a worthy pursuit. I'm a minor. I can't get tested on my own... If she gives it a good to go, it will make thing way easier

What about your parents?

[Miswimmy1]

They don't believe me... That's why I need t on board

Have you discussed getting a formal ADHD diagnosis with the physician who prescribes your meds? My son's pediatrician has always handled those evaluations and recommendations for accommodations that we need every few years for re-evaluation. I don't even think he's ever even charged us beyond the usual ADHD appointment fees to do so. That would be a pretty direct way of at least getting that formal diagnosis on board since I know you have concerns about accommodations for SAT testing and college classes.

You never responded about any suspicions/concerns previous teachers ever had about dyslexic issues. Did they ever recommend testing or suggest you might have dyslexic problems? (I'm a certified dyslexia teacher which is why I ask such pointed questions.) These problems start early on and are usually identified much younger these days as dyslexia programs are federally required. Most elementary and middle school teachers are trained to recognize early signs and to identify students for assessment. It isn't impossible you've slipped through all these years, but it would be unusual.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

What do you do when your therapist isn't listening to you?

In essence, you have to escalate:
1. Tell her clearly what you want. (You've done that.)
2. Explain that it's a deal breaker. And finally:
3. Go to another T.

[scorpiosis37]

I think Chris has given you some excellent advice. Based solely on your posts on PC, I think it's pretty unlikely that you have dyslexia. If you had undiagnosed dyslexia, I would expect to see spelling errors and other hallmarks of dyslexia in your writing, which aren't there. (Like Chris said, not impossible, but unlikely). However, it is possible that you have another kind of learning disability and it wouldn't hurt to be tested. I also went to private school and I wasn't diagnosed with an LD until I was 17. If it weren't for the time constraints placed on in-class testing, I still wouldn't know since my LD only affects my reading speed. Unfortunately, for me, there isn't anything I can do to treat my LD; I just get extra time. So that was the only benefit for me in getting my testing done.

Since you are already seeing a psychiatrist for ADHD medication and you already want to get an official diagnosis for extra time on the SAT, I think the best way to approach your parents is to say that you want to have formal testing done to confirm your ADHD. Tell them that a formal diagnosis of ADHD will also give you the accommodation of extra time at school, which will help you with your schoolwork. Tell them you are focused on improving your grades and taking the SAT, and you want that formal diagnosis so that you can get the accommodations you need, based on your ADHD (which they and your T already acknowledge).

If you make an appointment for ADHD testing, you should have the option to get tested (or referred for testing) for other possible LD issues while you are there. You can say that you want to make sure that you have ADHD as opposed to something else and/or you want to make sure that your ADHD is not mixed with an LD. When I had my testing done, they tested me for a variety of things since they didn't know what I had. My testing only took 3 days to complete, and then it took about a month to get registered for extra time at my high school. If you do have an LD, depending on what it is, there might also be some kind of treatment or class you can take to help manage the symptoms. However, I also agree with Chris that it's very possible that the reason for your difficulty in school is simply the combination of AHDH, OCD, and your other mental health diagnoses. You have already been diagnosed (informally if not formally) with quite a few conditions that can certainly be contributing to your problems with schoolwork. I do think it's good to get formally tested though, so that your doctors can determine the best way to help you succeed.

I still don't understand why your parents seem to think that your T needs to be involved in or support this process. It really has nothing to do with a T's area of expertise. While it's certainly possible for LD and mental illness to overlap, they are typically diagnosed and treated separately (or, at the very least, by different professionals who are in communication with one another). I didn't have (or need) a T at the time I went through my testing. I arranged it all myself (as a minor) and then just had my dad sign the consent form before I drove myself to my appointment. You do need a parent's signed consent to be tested, but that's the only thing you need from anyone other than yourself. In my case, my insurance paid for most of it-- but my dad was also willing to pay for whatever the co-pay was (I think it was minimal). I'm not sure if the cost is an issue for your parents?