Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/19/2009

Question
Hi,

I am mom to four children on the spectrum. All of them have average to superior test scores on their WISC-IV. The two I am concerned about also have CAPD. Their expressive/receptive language scores are also in the high average to superior range. Neither of them can read at grade level. They are showing avoidance behaviors related to school. These behaviors include not wanting to go to school, being late for school and doing whatever they can to get out of class while at school. While these behaviors are troublesome I feel that they are the result of inadequate support; maybe another LD not yet diagnosed? The school,however, feels that the attendance issue is the cause of poor progress or no progress. I have had some independent evals done and there is suspicion of dyslexia. My question is: Is this a common profile for a child on the spectrum and are there any strategies I can present to the school to relieve some of the school stress and anxiety?


Answer
Hi Anmarie;


Generally, school anxiety is the result of several sources of anxiety: peers, challenging social situations and academics, and other learning difficulties. These children work best in very small groups and they require a great deal of external support for organization and task performance. I assess several areas in an evaluation: IQ, executive functions, attention, social/emotional, adaptive behavior, social responsiveness and social competence. When there's a question of academic problems I administer the full battery of the Woodcock Johnson III (academic battery). These tests give me everything I need to know about ability AND performance. Then and only then am I in a position to comment about ideas to help reduce a child's stress. General environmental changes work well such as very small groups, opportunities for semi-privacy, and a sensory-friendly room environment.

Kind regards,
James







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Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.