IEP

On Friday afternoon we had Joshua's IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting at his new developmental preschool (Wildwood Elementary).  We met his teacher (Ms. Janet) and his therapists for Speech, OT and PT.  All of them were extremely friendly and informative and helped us through the process.  Joshua got to play in the classroom the whole time we were talking so he really got a good feel for it.  The teachers had already populated a lot of the IEP based on the findings from his assessment and input I had given them earlier in the week and then we added a few other things.  I thought it was a great meeting and feel much more prepared for his 1st day which is this Friday (June 1st).  He will only have two weeks and two days of preschool this year, but it is better than nothing. 

Right before the meeting I received in the mail his full report from his assessment that got him placed into developmental preschool.  Although I already knew he qualified in every area it was still hard to read the full report of their findings in detail and explain what he is having trouble with.  It makes me sad that he is struggling in so many areas and what this epilepsy beast has already taken away from him.  I hope we get it back!  Here are the summaries.

Cognitive
Verbal Index Quotient ( Information, Vocabulary, & Word Reasoning) - Significantly Below Average.  Joshua received a percentile rank of 2 which means that he scored the same or better than only 2% of his same-age peers.

Performance Index Quotient (Block Design, Matrix Reasoning and Picture Concepts) - Significantly Below Average.  Joshua received a percentile rank of 0.1 which means he scored the same or better than only 0.1% of his same-age peers.

Processing Speed Index (Symbol Search & Coding) - Significantly Below Average.  Joshua received a percentile rank of 5 which means that he scored the same or better than only 5% of his same-age peers.

Communication
Auditory Comprehension - standard score of 73 "indicating receptive language to be significantly delayed".  "Joshua had difficulty with understanding analogies, understanding spatial concepts and understanding pronouns". 

Expressive Communication - standard score of 77 "indicating expressive language skills to be moderately delayed".  "Joshua had difficulty answering what/where questions, naming described objects and answering questions logically."

Fine Motor Skills
"Standardized testing was attempted many times, however due to Joshua's refusal to participate, an accurate standardized score was not able to be obtained.  Joshua did not demonstrate crossing midline of his body with either upper extremity.  Joshua was able to open, but not close a screw top container.  He was able to pick up a few small beans using a right and left pincer grasp and place into a small container.  During this activity, he exhibited difficulty with dexterity and often dropped the beans several times.  He would not participate in cutting or drawing activities.  It was also noted that Joshua's hands appeared to be in constant motion."

Gross Motor Skills
"Joshua was able to walk independently throughout the testing room, although sometimes on his toes.  He ran with heels slightly elevated.  Joshua was able to walk up the steps alternating feet without support, however he walked down the steps marking time, either with one hand on the wall or without support.  Joshua was able to stand on one foot for about 1 second.  Joshua kicked a stationary and rolled ball with good distance and directionality.  By the end of the session it was clear that Joshua was tiring.  Joshua demonstrated delays and need for support in the area of gross motor skills."

Neuro Psychologist Testing:
I also recently received the full report from the neuro psychologist which was not pleasant to read either because it placed Joshua well below his peers (8th percentile) for his cognitive abilities.  However, the Dr. noted that he did not believe the results were a true representation of Joshua's abilities due to Joshua's inability to focus and stay on task all 3 days he was tested (which could be due to the seizures or medications or both).  The Dr. recommends we test Joshua again in 9-12 months to see if we can get a more accurate test completed.  Here is the summary from the neuro psychologist:

"Both his Fluid-Crystalized Index, a reflection as to overall use of general cognitive problem-solving abilities as assessed regarding use of short-term memory, visual processing ability, storage/retrieval of information and breadth/depth of knowledge, indicates a level that is Below Average.  Even when verbal tasks are removed, his Nonverbal (cognitive) Index was in the same category - Below Average."

The good news in all this is that we are getting him the help he needs with the developmental preschool and some day when we beat the beast and get his seizures stopped and get him off medications I am sure his performance level will increase substantially.