IQ testing?

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

My DS2 is 15, ASD and learning difficulties.. attends special school and a unit in a mainstream school, which is great. However he will be leaving school next summer as the SS only goes to 16, and going to the local college on a special needs course.. all fine.

However.. at some stage he will transition to adult services.. only he will not automatically qualify for the disabilities Social Worker as he is not 'disabled enough'
(Statemented, won't have any GCSEs, limited independence schools, can't even tie his shoes let alone cook..but he can talk and read so apparently he doesn't qualify UNLESS his IQ is less than 70.

I suspect it will be borderline, and we need to have him tested as it never has been formally done...and it needs to be by someone who will carry weight with the local authorities.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? We are in Oxfordshire but would travel to see someone sensible! Thanks:)

Sorry, don't really know. Would a private EP be the right person? Bumping for you anyway.

I'd contact Levenes (solicitors) or IPSEA - both seem to have a pretty good database of experts. I wouldn't pay out for a private report till just before you think you'll actually need it though as otherwise they'll say it's out of date (& still not give you the help you need!)

Is this policy legal ? IQ & support needs are not always automatic correllated in such a neatly linear way. This doesn't make sense to me at all. Many conditions/disorders mean an individual can have a genius level IQ but still have significant care needs. Stephen Hawkins (motor neurone disease) is probably the highest profile example of what I mean, but could applied to some individuals with many other conditions from ASD, to schizophrenia, to CP. I'd challenge this linear cut off point based on one small aspect of the whole picture that is ASD.

Adult services are I've found when sourcing support for my adult sibling, just as good at fobbing you off with BS, when you make your initial enquiries as some sections of the children's services are. In some ways they can better at it! (I think cos an adult team are potentially taking responsibility for someone for 50+ years, whereas kids move on at regular intervals to become someone else's problem as they grow).

IQ test done on DS was something called WASCI or II (not sure and its late now but I will look up tomorrow for you unless someone else comes along with a better more awake explaination lol :)

Also I agree with Bochead, I cant see how this is legal. DS has high IQ but his needs are also high.....

Thanks..I wil contact IPSEA nearer the time.. but also.. good point about it being legal.. it probably isn't! However I'm not sure how I could challenge that, and I know they are using it to deny support. DS2 WILL need support as an adult (semi independent living level I would judge looking at where he is at now)..he won't have a job unless supported and will be stuck at home with us if we can't fight for supported housing..and this is what they are trying to avoid!

Battle gloves on...

With ASD, 'relevant' iq is the lowest subsection.

So if, say, verbal iq was 69 but high non-verbal/ performance bumped the full scale up to 84,, he IS learning disabled rather than low average. Your paediatrician or CAMHS person should be able to point this out to them.

Get his files. Bet it is in there somewhere.

Good point.. thanks Mariammariam!

Adult team and learning disability team usually separate personnel, different budgets. Each would consider IQ result an an important weapon in their turf war to minimise their own list of referrals.

Contact IPSEA now, not later. These battles can take years of preparation once all the delays and challenges are factored in.

Thanks again.. Starlight I guess I will start the next battle:(

To be honest I feel I (compared to so many here) have had it 'easy' with DS2's needs.... he was statemented no problem, special school, no problem.. DLA..no problem... but now he is approaching adulthood it's like he has suddenly been cured in their eyes. He's a 15 yr old who still believes in Santa.. needs supervision for self care, can't tie his shoes, make a simple meal or even choose his own clothes.. he has moderate LDs and ASD but in our local authorities eyes he is 'too able' for the adult disability team.
He really isn't very able at all.. it seems that being able to talk (albeit about his obsessions) and walk (with splints) means he is fine...

It terrifies me that he could be left to fall between the cracks...:(

Will he hold onto his statement post-16?

No:( His SS stops at 16 and he will go to the local college next year.. on a special needs course (Step 3 or 4) I'm happy enough with that..tis the usual path from his school for pupils at his level, but it does leave him unprotected.

He is so vulnerable because he can talk and (more or less) walk he doesn't register on social services radar. when the reality is he is going to need a lot of help top function:(