How are children diagnosed with special needs?

Answer 1

Diagnosing Special Needs and Qualifying for Special Education

To qualify as a child with a disability, students must be age 3 to 21, according to IDEA. Students must be evaluated according to IDEA regulations, have characteristics of one or more of the categorical impairments covered by the statute, and have a need for special education or related services as a result of the impairment(s). Not every possible disability is covered by IDEA. Others may be covered by the ADA (American Disability Act, 1990) or Section 504. States may also elect to qualify individuals under state law for services under other criteria, such as younger and older ages. For example, according to Michigan Law, the term "child with a disability" means a child having:
• Cognitive and emotional impairment
• Hearing impairment, including deafness
• Visual impairment, including blindness
• Physical or other health impairment
• Speech or language impairment
• Early childhood developmental delay
• Specific learning disability
• Severe multiple impairment
• Autism
• Traumatic brain injury

Depending on the type of disability, testing for qualification of services may be done by a medical doctor, private psychologist, or a school psychologist. Testing done by a school psychologist is a free school service. However, parents may prefer to hire their own professionals. Moreover, some disabilities require diagnosis by a medical doctor. Note also that a classification of “specific learning disability” may also require academic assessments in conjunction with IQ tests or similar tests. Concerned parents, teachers, or doctors (medical or psychological) may refer an individual for testing.

For adult college students, to qualify for special services, a student must have had a comprehensive, standardized evaluation by a professional who is specially trained in assessing learning disability and differentiating it from other causes for learning problems. Typically this would be an educational psychologist or school psychologist. Some colleges have educational diagnostic centers on campus to provide this service. Others require the student to bring recent diagnostic test with them. For other disabilities, a statement from a medical doctor is adequate.

Answer 2

"Special Needs" covers a huge range of disabilities. There are the obvious, such as autism, retardation with all of its stages, and then there are learning disabilities which are diagnosed through testing usually done at the school with permission of the parent. A doctor can diagnose ADD and ADHD.

If there is a positive diagnosis of a learning disability, then a team is formed consisting of the child's teachers, a counselor, an administrator, the parents, the child's teachers,and hopefully the child. A plan is then developed by this team to address the needs of the child. The IEP, or individual education plan, has the power of law and must be implemented.

I hope this helps and answers your question.

Answer 3

Regular school classes are set up to help the "average" kid. Most kids learn best in the way regular school classes are taught.

But not all kids learn best that way. When a teacher has tried various interventions in the large-group regular class setting, and the child is continuing to struggle, a referral is made for testing (after consulting with other teachers, school site specialists, and the child's parents).

There are different "categories" of kids who learn differently. Each "category" helps special teachers come up with instruction that helps those kids learn as much as they possibly can. A child is placed in these categories based on both input from a certified diagnostician (provided by the schools), and/or information from the child's doctor (e.g. ADHD, autism, mobility, chronic illness, etc.). Doctors DO NOT diagnose Learning Disabilities.

The most common category is "Specific Learning Disability." These are kids with normal smarts who just have trouble learning how to read or do math using the usual, regular classroom ways. This is diagnosed through the school diagnostician, coparing a child's IQ (potential to learn) with their actual academic performance. A large gap between these scores means a learning disability is present.

Some kids have trouble understanding what they hear, and/or making sounds right when they talk. Most of these also have normal smarts. This category is "Speech-Language Impaired." This is diagnosed through the school Speech-Language Pathologist (therapist) giving specialized tests.

Some kids stress out too easily, and show it by being mean to other kids, not doing their work, talking back to the teacher, destroying stuff, etc. Most of these also have normal smarts. These kids are Emotionally/Behaviorally Disturbed. This is diagnosed through the school psychologist (and/or child's private doctor/psychiatrist/psychologist).

Some kids take a lot longer to learn stuff, both in school and at home. They need to practice each little step over and over to remember it and use it. These kids are Mentally Retarded. This is diagnosed by the school diagnostician (IQ, life skills, and communication skills testing), and can also have supporting evidence given by the child's doctor (underlying disorder such as Down Syndrome, microencephaly, etc.).

Some kids have health problems that are bad enough to get in the way of their learning. These kids are Other Health Impaired. These are diagnosed by the child's doctor (ADHD, asthma, cancer and/or other fatiguing illnesses, etc.).

Some kids are "blind" to social stuff. They don't understand how people interact with each other. These are Autistic. This is diagnosed from a referral made to a specialist by the child's doctor, usually a pediatric neuropsychologist.

Other kids may be unable to hear well, or totally deaf. Others may be blind. Some are deaf and blind. Some are in wheelchairs because their bodies don't work well. These are diagnosed through the child's doctor.

Kids that have a mix of things from different categories are called "Multi-Disabled."

Once the diagnostician and child's doctor helps the school figure out which category or categories are giving the kid trouble, a meeting is held, and an IEP is written. This meeting will include the regular ed teacher, special ed teacher, diagnostician, therapists (if needed), an administrator, and the parent(s). A written letter from the doctor is entered into the record, if needed for the official school-site diagnosis. The parent can bring an advocate to help them understand what is going on and to push for things they want for their child, or anyone else they want to bring.

Answer 4

can depend on what the special needs are My middle child was diagnosed by a peadiatricain wioth autistic spectrum disorder after i kept insisting that there was a problem (my health visitor was worse than usless)

My oldest was diagnosed with dypraxia by a peadiatrician after the school sugested i get her checked out.

If you have any concerns about your child talk to your health visitor or doctor and if nessesary keep going back and insisting that you get a referal a parents instinct is usually quite good after all you know you child better than anyone else

Answer 5

It depends. Some areas must be diagnosed by a medical physician. Intellectual and learning disorders are diagnosed by a psychologist.

Answer 6

My son has a disorder that's related to autism. We found this out through our pediatrician. He sent us to a child psychologist who specializes in children with these types of disorders. We found out exactly what he had through proper testing (written and oral). The best place to start for diagnosis is with a family doctor or pediatrician.

Answer 7

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this lady as beat all odds and has triumphed against any medical or social barrier, she has specific requirements herself and is now focusing on disabling the barrier for people especially children with 'special needs' specific requirements. Her work has defiantly changed my views.

Answer 8

if you might think that your child is suffering from.....something you must go first to see a doctor, pediatrician, after that to psychologist. some of the children have motivation and attention disorder because a physiological problem- eye, ear and other. So, first to doctor, after that to psychologist or school counselor

Answer 9

Start with your pediatrician. They can refer you to specialists in your area who are in tune with diagnosis. If needed contact your school district special ed office to request and evaluation. You will be given the names of evaluators who are licensed professionals in their fields and can meet your child at home or at their school to evaluate them. This is free of charge. Your participation in the process is critical. Advocate for your child. Good luck!

Answer 10

I will tell you that I have a speech problems and had this most of my life.
I am disable and learn to live with some of my disabilities but this was not easy and some still think that I am retarded with i do not agree with.
I am slow with some of the things I do but fine in others things with my life.
hope that this helps