Jul. 17, 2008 - What I am Learning about Autism: Part 1
I am going to do a series of blog entries on all I have learned about autism and sensory integration disorders. I am by no means an expert, but I know that I would have coveted information written by a mom, not a scientist/researcher, these last few months.
Today, I am going to list the tests that Austin took these last few months under a clinical psychologist we hired.
- WISC-IV Core/Supplemental
- WIATT-II
- Bender Gestalt-II
- Vineland-II Adaptive Behavior
- Scales Survey Interview Form
- Short Sensory Profile
- The Children's Problems Checklist
I have added links to websites that can shed more light on the content of these tests and questionaires than I can.
I'll have to say that the IQ test, WISC-IV, gave us the most peace of mind. We wanted to know what Austin's strengths and weaknesses were. I teach him every day and intend to continue to teach Austin, so I valued this information. Obviously, I filtered the information through my rational mind. I know Austin is not a composite number nor is he less valuable in my eyes because he has weaknesses. Don't we all have areas of our lives where we flourish and other areas we need support in.
We learned that he learns best in a visual manner. For Austin, that means he will love the Netflix documentaries, the new microscope (it should be here soon!), the trampoline, and the ball of clay he loves. If he can see it he can own the information.
On the IQ test there was a subtest of Perceptual Reasoning and Working Memory and Austin did awesome! His scores were in the gifted range. On the other hand his Processing Speed was lacking, shall we say. This one area affects so much of his learning. Here is an excerpt about what the processing memory affects.
The PSI is a measure of processing speed. It assesses children's abilities to focus attention and quickly scan, discriminate between, and sequentially order visual information. It requires persistence and planning ability, but is sensitive to motivation, difficulty working under a time pressure, and motor coordination too. Cultural factors seem to have little impact on it. It is related to reading performance and development too. It is related to Working Memory in that increased processing speed can decrease the load placed on working memory, while decreased processing speed can impair the effectiveness of working memory."
My goals for Austin are to learn as much as I can about his processing speed and how I can help him.
The evaluations were fascinating for me to read through. I want to learn as much as I can so that I can help him.
Isn't that what any mother would want to do.
I am mother and this is what I do. :)
Comments
Jul. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Good for you for educating yourself! He will benefit immeasurably from that. I used to give those tests when I was working my way through grad school. Interesting!
Amber
