Expert: Tim Runner - 9/15/2010

Question
What tests would be appropriate for an educational diagnosis of autism PDD (nos) in the school?
motor/ sensory/ gross and fine?
cognition?
adaptive behavior?
socia/emotional behavior?
academic achievement?
speech and language?

Answer
Michelle,

The law says that students should be tested in all areas of suspected disability. They are required to test cognition and academic achievement. Many autistic students have speech challenges, if your child does, then he/she need to test in this area. If your child has self-care and/or fine motor skill challenges and/or sensory issues, he/she should be assessed by an Occupational Therapist (OT). If your child has gross-motor delays, he/she should be assessed in the area of Applied Physical Education (APE). If your child has social/emotional challenges, then he/she should be assessed in this area by a school psychologist. If your child has social skills and/or pragmatics challenges, he/she should be tested in this area by a Speech and Language therapist.

The bottom line is that your child must be assessed in all areas of suspected disabilities. Since autism is a spectrum disorder, different autistic students may have different disabilities.

The school must supply you with an Assessment Plan that identifies all areas that are to be assessed. If you feel they are not assessing in an area you suspect a disability, you can ask them to add this. Once you find it acceptable, you accept it by signing it so that the assessments can begin.

Tim Runner, Advocate
Advocates for Kids
Email: timrunner@cox.net
Phone: (949) 582-3601
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com