Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: 123
Date: 16-06-10 10:23
Have a 6 and half year old - East Auckland (think Maraetai) area. Any particular educational psychologists that anyone could recommend? Also don't fully understand the benefits of testing. He is "quirky" & identified as potentially gifted by two people through school. He is having problems at school with behaviour (it's not intentional or malicious stuff, but this term has spiralled downwards).
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: Anon
Date: 16-06-10 18:51
Hi
My son was tested at 6.8yrs, I put him into ODS because his school didn't offer anything. Once I found out the school was going to start a programme for the gifted children I was able to wave the report under their nose to make sure he wasn't over looked. He is now in many extension programmes and classes at his school and thriving. He could very easily have been missed otherwise.
Often the testing can establish where their strengths lie and also where their weaknesses lie and if these are addressed, oftedn the behaviour problems can be addressed as well.
Good luck, we certainly don't regret having our ds tested.
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: Another Anon
Date: 17-06-10 09:25
123
From reading your other post, it seems as if testing could be quite beneficial to you and your son. Obviously testing can provide some great insights into what is going on with your son and can be useful regardless of what you do with the information (i.e. whether you choose to share it with the school).
However, it can also be a good advocacy too. With the latter in mind, it might be a good idea to clarify with the school if there are any specific tests (or psychologists) that they will "accept". I'm not sure what the law is regarding that but we've had a principal 'refuse' to accept the recommendations of an ed psyc and provide accommodations.
t
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: SJW
Date: 17-06-10 10:51
I too have had a school refuse to accept the report of a particular educational psychologist, stating that "she diagnoses everyone who goes to her with giftedness so you can't believe her". This is a ridiculous argument - after all, if you had cancer, wouldn't you seek out the best possible oncologist, the one with the most experience who is likely to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment, and thus the one that most other cancer patients would also seek out?? However, even when the spuriousness of their argument was pointed out to them, they would still not accept this psychologist's report and accordingly would not act on the recommendations made.
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: 123
Date: 17-06-10 15:33
Wow, seems completely ridiculous that you could spend all that money, get a report & then it's not "acceptable" for the school. I hadn't thought about the reports being considered subjective given that they are based on testing which surely provides absolute results. Anyway thanks for the advice - definitely something to keep in mind. I can imagine there could be problems if the report doesn't fit with the school's thoughts for whatever reason. But saying that everyone who goes to a particular psychologist gets diagnosed with giftedness is taking it to the extreme that's for sure.
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: Linda
Date: 17-06-10 16:38
It is unfortunate that when testing costs such a lot of money parents are unlikely to fork out unless they're fairly sure of likely result. Research indicates at least 95% of parents who feel their child is gifted are correct.
Stands to reason that school never sees a 'non-gifted' result. Parents with that result are likely to be looking for other avenues to address whatever issues led them down that road in the first place.
If a report is not given due consideration by the Principal, take it to the BOT and if still no consideration then MOE. Obligations under NAG 1 (c) & (d) are still in place!!
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: Another Anon
Date: 18-06-10 12:45
Is there not a loophole in that, under the NAGs, schools are required to meet the needs of gifted children, however, each individual school can choose how to define giftedness?? Clarification anyone?
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: Linda
Date: 18-06-10 13:45
The loophole exists but would be had for school to justify not providing where an educational psychologist had determined child's cognitive ability to be in the gifted range.
Hi,
I'm still pretty hazy on Auckland geography so I am not sure where East Auckland is. However I think when you know of a good Ed. Psychologist you don't mind a bit of travel. We found Lynn Beresford excellent (she has moved from Remuera to Glenfield). She made a real difference to our gifted 9 year old son who had struggled with feeling 'different'. Over a series of meetings with him, she turned his self esteem completely around. She was also terrific in interpreting his younger sister with her own issues.
Re: Educational Psychology Test -Benefits/Availability - East Auckland
Author: 123
Date: 28-07-10 20:35
Still waiting and thinking about it. Financially beyond us at the moment and I'm not convinced that it would make any real difference at this stage. Don't get me wrong, it would be interesting. However son is still young, so we may get the opportunity in the future.
I know my son is super-clever. I don't need anyone to prove it. I did once his behaviour became a real issue at school and I need help - there is no help for kids unless you can wave an official bit of paper in front of people's face, even then there isn't much. Wait until it is needed. You will know when that is. Save your money until.
