Here is what I know.
My older son had ear infections from the time he was 8-9 months old. He was sick 22 times from 18 months to 24 months and then maybe another 15 times between 24 and 36 months. He had many ear infections during this period and I'm sure he had many more that were not caught. NO PROBLEM, the doctors said. It's no big deal. Right.
His younger brother (8 yo) has had exactly one ear infection in his entire life, at age 4.
My older son talked at 24 months, did not read at all well until he was 9, and has major problems with anything to do with language. The first time his IQ was tested, it was below average. After 5 years of intensive work, his GAI tested in the HG range though he misses the DYS cutoff by a few points. I honestly think he's PG with a very heavy overlay of LD. He has been diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD, APD, SPD, visual issues, and Asperger's.
The younger one talked at 10 mo, read at age 2, and is just very obviously very bright. He qualifies for DYS.
I honestly think that all of the illness had a huge effect on my older son.
Back when the older one was 8, I had the GDC take a look at his below average IQ results. They looked at his history, his family history of giftedness, and his scores, and told me that I wasn't crazy to think that he was actually gifted. They gave me some direction for seeking help.
So those forms are extremely important as they screen for 2e issues, something that most psychologists have *no clue* about.
