conners test scoring.

[hashtagwhatever]

After filling out one for dd 6yo, her teacher also did one with some agreeable problem areas but mine seemed to paint dd in a worse picture.

How does the differences between mine and the teachers get looked upon?. Will this affect the score/outcome. I also today have received a letter from the gp wishing to discuss dd's care under the paediatric drs at the hospital. As sods law goes the dr I need to speak with is unavailable this week. I will be wondering what needs to be discussed until then.

Hoping someone can shed some light on either scenario.

Many thanks.

The point is, the paediatrician wants to see how the child is, in different situations.
Very often children will a) behave differently in different situations and b) the behaviour will be perceived differently.
The two surveys will form part of the overall picture.
Sometimes, when they are both very similar then it's clearer, but it's very common for them to show differences.

Can't help with the GP issue - only ever come across them used by the paediatricians once you have an appt at the cdc.

Thank you backforgood

Depends on the paediatrician, in my experience. In our case, the school's Conners was markedly different from the parent version and the paed dismissed our concerns outright - in her opinion they needed to be exactly the same to warrant a diagnosis. In truth, the school was lying about their experience of ds (verbal accounts were nothing like the boxes ticked on their Conners and they were seriously underplaying the reality) but the paed was adamant.

We ended up going private in the end and got the dx on the same day, without hesitation. Some paeds just aren't very good at what they do (ours had failed other patients in similar fashion) but hopefully yours will be more on the ball.

When dd was diagnosed our connors had the same areas elevated as the schools however ours were at level 3 for several whereas school put mostly level 2 behaviour. Our pead said theres usually a Difference between home and school and home is nearly always worse

Thank you both for replying.

That is my worry. What the teacher has said verbally to myself and the scores on the conners don't actually add up. As you found pootrouble our scores were mainly at a 3 schools behaviour scores were mainly 2 but mostly the questions regarding school work a 3.

Dd has been seen by the educational phycologist a few weeks back haven't heard anything from them yet. And the paediatric dr wanted dd to see a psychiatrist also as he said he was unable to diagnose ADHD himself, does anyone have experience with seeing a psychiatrist?

I would like some more information on what they will do with dd, how long a diagnosis takes if one is needed.
Which I am presuming to receive. Dd is now 6 and extremely far behind academically and has had various difficulties since birth late milestones ect.

Thank you once again for answering, much appreciated

Our private psychiatrist did the same Conners assessments but since we were home educating by this time he didn't use school input (which was just as well, given their tendency to fib). I had earlier reports that I'd submitted to the NHS assessment, from other agencies, social activities etc that ds went to at the time, and he accepted those, plus the usual parents' background history and his observations in the clinic. He diagnosed there and then and the report/letter came out a couple of weeks later.

Do you have anything in writing to back up what the school have said verbally? IEP? Report? Do you keep a diary where you might have written it? Home/School book? Anything that would show that the school have similar concerns to yours would be helpful.

The school senco has written a report which I have read I think that was given to the educational phycologist but not sure if the peads have a copy too?.

The paediatrician dd saw who wanted to do the referral to the psychiatrist seemed in agreement with myself that dd has definitely got traits of adhd. As does her occupational therapist think so too. She has very poor cognitive thinking also doesn't seem to appear to act upon what is asked of her.

Would it be a good idea to take with us the reports from the ot and anyone else dd is seeing at the mo?.

I have had all range of comments from friends/family about dd not being hyperactive enough to have adhd. They are not focusing on while yes she doesn't bounce off the walls she still cannot keep still is very impulsive and very over friendly with people talks fast and loud and as I said before really far behind at school. She possibly has learning disabilities too.

Everything seems to take so long with the drs and each department don't seem to communicate. The reason the gp wanted to speak with me is about a referral for dd to ed physc and ot. Both were done a long time ago the dr who asked the gp to do these things has infact never even seen dd.

The terminology has changed a bit so dx is often ADD (inattentive) or ADD (hyperactive), which accounts for both scenarios. It's not impossible for your daughter to have ADD but not be bouncing off walls - the assessment will determine.

I'd definitely take copies of all your reports - anything relevant that can demonstrate the way she presents in school and other settings too. Eg if she goes to swimming classes or such like at your leisure centre, brownies etc - if you can get something in writing it will go a long way.

Thanks for your help streakybacon

Do you possibly know how long the outcome of a assessment by the educational phycologist takes?

Is there a report written up? Or a meeting perhaps?

Time scales do seem to vary, depending on your LA, but there should be a report written. It wouldn't hurt to chase it up.

A lot of EPs phone the parent to discuss the content of their report before printing a final draft and sending it to all concerned.

Have you considered applying for a statement/EHC plan? It might be worth doing.

Yes, is it possible to apply for a statement yourself or does it have to be done by the school?. Dd's school is very unorganised it was only by chance of me bumping into the school senco that I knew the ed physc was visiting dd that day. I thought as her parents we were to be told beforehand? .

If you apply yourself you have more control, and you know exactly what stage it's at without having to rely on someone (SENCo/ HT) to keep you informed. Plus you have right of appeal if you don't get the statement, which the school doesn't have.

IPSEA have model letters you can copy from here

You should be informed of visits at school but they don't always tell you, unfortunately.

You've probably missed the deadline for statement applications so she'd be assessed for Education Health and Care plan, which is replacing statements from Sept 14.

Thanks again for your help streaky

Am I better waiting for the educational phycologist report before making a request for a statement??

Personally I'd just jump in now or they might make you wait, under the guise of 'not wasting your time' or some other excuse. SEN teams are snowed under at the moment with conversions to EHC for existing statements - they're really not looking for more work if they can help it. But you are still within your rights to apply.

Rather than asking for 'a statement' you'd be better to request statutory assessment for EHC plan, then you're being specific about what you want. Stat assessment takes six months so there's not enough time to start for a statement before EHC comes into force in September 14, so it's EHC you'll be asking for.

You might even save time for the EP by asking now as s/he would most likely use the same information (or some of it) for the EHC as the assessment she's already conducted. There may be additional tests she'd need to do (depending on what she's already included) but she wouldn't have to start from scratch.

Don't forget to keep everything in writing so you have a paper trail in case you need it. People don't always do what they say they will so it's worth having it all written down. Avoid phone discussions but if you do then confirm the details in an email afterwards, just so it's on record.

If the school have scored all 2s and some 3s then im fairly sure that will be more than enough to warrant a diagnosis. My dd had a couple of 1s on a repeat connors and still got a diagnosis

Thank you streaky thats really helpful.

Oh thats good to hear pootrouble.

When the EP came in they didn't actually do any one to one with dd, is that the norm?. I asked dd (without her knowing why) I said oh did you have another teacher in your class today she said yes there were two one was teaching us- a supply as far as I know. The other X the school senco brought in but he just watched us on the carpet and wrote things down on his paper!. How much information could they get from dd doing work on the carpet I am wondering?

They'd be observing how she interacts with peers, non-verbal communication, whether she gets stressed etc. It's usual to do a casual observation like this plus specific 1-1 tests another time.

Oh that's good to know. Thanks everyone for all the help with all the questions I have had.