Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Oodles and Doodles of paperwork!

Although I've been considering having DS7 formally tested for some time, it was one of those things that was fairly easy to push aside.

Now, because of some little known rule with his proposed school placement, they would like him to be tested. I decided to take him to Denver. If I have to do it, might as well do it right and do it once.

The amount of pre test questions is amazing!! Can someone explain to me what the history of my son's ear infections have to do with his I.Q? An entire page is dedicated to that. Another page dedicated to fevers etc. It goes on forever!!
It is freaking me out for some undefined reason.

It's kind of like trying to rebuild your child on paper. I just found the whole thing unnerving. I have a phone consultation next week to determine what actually needs to be done based on the info I sent and his partial test results.

With both the IQ and achievement tests there was a bunch of stuff to fill out. Since I went to two different testers with dd7 I had to do it twice. I think their trying to get the complete picture of the child and eliminate any possible problems that the child might have that would have them score differently, like say if dc had a vision problem. I'm not sure why they would ask for so much info on ear infections and fevers. I looked over the paperwork that I had to fill out and it touched on medical things but ot was about 5 questions. Sorry I couldn't be more help

I think they ask that stuff if they are also screening for ADHD, autism, developmental delays, auditory processing... For us the red flags are: an uncle with cystic fibrosis, a deaf grandfather and dd spending her first week of life in the NICU after a homebirth. Granted, my father lost his hearing in military service and my dh is not a carrier for CF. Clearly my DYS is brain damaged. (Eye roll.)

This might explain why the data is collected:

http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/What_is_Gifted/learned.htm

"18. Many cases of underachievement are linked to chronic early ear infections (9 or more in the first three years), with residual effects of auditory sequential processing deficits and attentional problems. Spelling, arithmetic, handwriting, rote memorization, attention, and motivation to do written work are all typically affected."

See I knew someone would have an answer!
MoN, 3 pages would have been ok, this was about 20 plus a blank page that was simply titled "Define your child".

They are definitely thorough, you have to give them that!

Interesting ! My son had his very first ear infection when he was 5 years old !

My best friend's DD had chronic ear infections and eventually had to have tubes put in. Fast forward to her teen years and she has had a terrible time with school and some serious emotional problems. Her DD is PG but could not find it in herself to go to school. She wasn't a 'bad' kid by any means, but had real issues. During one of many tests she was given, my BF had to fill out paperwork, which included a whole section on ear infections. I can't remember what test it was but will be sure to ask her later today. I just remember her shock about how much these 'childhood' illnesses were considered.

Then fast forward to my DD and discovering her uniqueness and thank GOD I have my BF who gets it and someone I can openly talk to about all of it. She has on many an occasion expressed how lucky I am to have found out the information now when DD is young and just how much more ahead in the game I am because of places like this board.

hmmm... there was a thread somewhere, a while ago, where we listed random things that made DC gifted... it turned into a "silly" thread. I guess I could list DS having a million ear infections as a sign of giftedness?

Shari - good luck with all that paperwork. I cried over about 5 pages. I will never complain again.

Shari, I know that Linda Silverman has done a lot of research on the connection between ear infections and various issues like CAPD that people have mentioned here. One time when I heard her speak, she went on at length about how the timing of the ear infections (ie. between 6-9 months versus 12-18 months, etc.) and whether the child had tubes affected overall development. She specifically discussed a connection between ear infections and certain writing challenges. The more details you can give, the better they can pinpoint what may be an issue.
I've looked at their paperwork and you're right, it is intimidating. We chose to go elsewhere for cost reasons. I admit to being slightly relieved that I wouldn't have to do the paperwork!

This is amazing. My DS had multiple ear infectios between 9 and 14 months (on antibiotics more days than off, and this with a doctor who was not quick to fill scrips). We tried a number of alternative approaches and finally we put tubes in at 15 months, he had them in for 3+ years, more on one side, and did pretty well (the infections moved to his tonsils and he had strep regularly for that time period). Finally had adnoids and tonsils out right before K started (then he started gettig sinus infections ;] ). Anyway, he has major handwriting issues and his spelling is horrid, even though he is an excellent reader and v. bright. So, I am going to have to research this some more. V. curious.

Cat