Officially Diagnosed: (The Developmental Test Results)

[peasntatersmom]

Well, we received Jerry's report from the Dennis Developmental Center on Friday.  I am still not in total agreeance with their diagnosis, but after discussing things with his neurologist I am feeling better about allowing this report into his school file.  She agrees with us that these tests results do not show his strengths very well, but warns us not to put too much emphasis on the results or his newly acquired MR (mentally retarded) diagnosis.  It is just one test, she says.  If, when he is re-tested in a couple years, he can score better, the MR label will no longer be necessary, or even a part of his file.  We do not feel that spending a couple hours with a child, in an environment that is unfamiliar to him, and with people who are unfamiliar to him, gives an accurate presentation of his true abilities.  But anyway..here are the test results, in part:

History:  Jerry suffered a left temporoparietal ischemic stroke at 5 months followed by infantile spasms/myoclonic seizures, developmental delay, and autistic like behaviors.  after multiple trials of anticonvulsant medications, he required a vagal nerve stimulator which was placed in August, 2006.  Although he has been seizure free since approximately March, 2007, his electroencephalogram completed December, 2007 was abnormal...

Behavior Observations:  Jerry willingly accompanied the examiners to the testing situation with no difficulty separating from his parents.  Jerry was seated at a youth-sized cut-away desk which provided physical structure for a portion of the assessment.  He was distractible throughout the test session.  He demonstrated fleeting eye contact.  Jerry demonstrated sensory processing difficulties as evidenced by rocking, mouthing objects, tapping objects on his teeth, and tapping his hands/blocks on the table.  His interest in the test materials was variable.  Task transition was not difficult.  The following results are considered to be an accurate reflection of Jerry's current skills.

Cognitive:  The non-verbal portion of the SB5 was given to Jerry in order to assess intelligence and predict school achievement.  Jerry's nonverbal IQ score of 42 is in the moderately delayed range.  The chances are 95 out of 100 that Jerry's true nonverbal IQ is currently between 39 and 51 points.   (Note: scores between 70-79 are borderline impaired/slow learner; 55-69 are mildly impaired/delayed; and 40-54 are moderately impaired/delayed)

...results of the administration of the cognitive scale with Jerry indicated an approximate developmental age equivalency of 9 months.  The cognitive scale includes items tht assess sensorimotor development, exploration and manipulation, object relatedness, concept formation, memory, and other aspects of cognitive processing.  Jerry's highest successes included: suspending a ring by a string, pushes a car, and taking blocks out of a cup.  Jerry's weaknesses included: ringing a bell purposefully, putting blocks in a cup, and finding a hidden object.  

Adaptive behavior:  Communication Domain: 40+8..this score is in the low range.
                                Daily Living Skills Domain: 38+8..this score is in the low range.
                                Socialization Domain: 51+7..Thsi score is in the low range.
                                Motor Skills Domain:  59+12..this score is in the low to moderately 
low range.

Autism testing:  ..Jerry did not use any true words during testing today..vocalizations almost never appeared to be directed towards others.  He was noted to scream at times..not observed to usea  visually directed point to reference objects..use of gestures was limited..eye contact was brief..did not consistently use eye contact to initiate, terminate or regulate social interaction..facial expressions were limited..showed little expressed pleasure in interacting with the examiner..did show shared enjoyment in interacting with his father..was observed to give his father "Eskimo kisses" during an interaction..not able to respond to his name when called by the examiner..was able to respond to his father after he said "hey"..joint attention was poor..social overtures were negligible..play skills were limited..no pretend play noted..unusual sensory interests/repetitive interests included mouthing objects, looking in a mirror in an unusual way, auditory sensitivity, playing with toys with lights to an unusual degree, spinning objects, and repetitively biting puzzle peices with knobs.  Rapid breathing was noted prior to Jerry becoming upset..

FINDING:  Scores obtained on this measure could be used as supportive information for an autism spectrum disorder; however, please refer to the impressions section of this report for further explanation of observed behaviors...

...Although Jerry has behaviors that are "autistic like" in nature, his current functioning level and symptoms are explained by the history of stroke impacting the left side of his brain.  The consequence of this has been to impair function of his speech centers, with evidence of residual impairment to motor integration areas, some aspects of memory, and attention focusing.  His functional age equivalence of less than 12 months makes many of his behaviors "developmentally consistent", even as they are severely delayed.

Assessed delays in cognitive ability, speech/language ability, and adaptive behavior skills meet the criteria for the diagnosis of Moderate Mental Retardation.

Diagnosis: 
Post-CVA aphasia
Moderate Mental Retardation 

 

 

[ironkitten]

Aug. 16, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Please remember that your son has 5 years of LIFE experience.  Don't get stuck on anything like "functions as a 9 month old" as this is functioning level, but what he knows is so much more. 

You have an angel in disguise.  Peace and Love

[Elyssa414]

Aug. 16, 2009 at 3:59 PM

I'm glad that you are feeling a little better about it all... I know that it feels like getting punched in the stomach when you see it all in black and white, though! Sending hugs your way.