SOMETHING’S UP WITH JACK #3: Autism Assessment Details

Here we are: in the middle of Jack’s Autism Diagnosis Story. If you haven’t already seen the early part of the story, you might want to go back and read the first and the second posts I wrote.

In my previous diagnosis post, I ended with the school assessment. But we still had one more appointment: the county. Where we lived in southern California, it was called Tri-Counties Regional Center. The reason to go through them was to get a free assessment and diagnosis AND to receive eligibility for county resources, if necessary. At this point in time Jack was just shy of 4 years old.

Jack at 4 years old.

I have to say I was quite excited for this assessment. I’ve always been interested in psychology and we were going to see a real psychologist! I was picturing fun toys, colors, patterns, drawing tools, a two-way mirror or something tricky like that.

Trying out the County Resources

Well, we were met with exactly the opposite of my expectations. First of all, I didn’t realize that there were 2 visits involved. The first was with a social worker in a dingy, narrow room with one long table. He asked me questions and typed on his laptop. Oh, this was just a parent interview. He glanced at Jack a few times, who was expected to entertain himself with some grungy blocks. Lame. He said to wait for a call to schedule a visit with the actual psychologist.

One month passed before the next appointment. We finally entered a different, boring room with a tired lady. Well, what should I expect? I finally caught the meaning of the fact that this was a free, county resource. But, enough of my complaining…

I want to tell you about the evaluation, especially for those readers who are considering getting their child assessed. It’s strange, but I hesitate to tell you what it consisted of because I feel like I’m giving away answers to a test. But it’s really all about what the assessor observes and how the child behaves and responds and not the “answers” that they might give. I know that I would have liked to know what to expect, so I’d like to share it with other apprehensive parents.

My memory is fuzzy regarding what took place, but thankfully I have the final written report to consult. Here’s a list of what the psychologist did, all while trying to get Jack to smile, make eye contact, respond or connect in some way:

This is obviously NOT Jack. But I was thrilled to find someone else’s picture! The doll birthday party with a play dough cake and candles! This is exactly what our psychologist did to see if Jack would join in the pretending party. I got this picture here.

• blew bubbles and watched him interact with them
• played with and then popped a balloon to see his reaction
• watched him stack blocks
• played an easy version of hide and seek
• played catch with a ball with him
• observed him looking in a mirror
• had him point to different parts of his body
• used play dough
• asked him questions about what was happening
• gave him directions and watched how he followed them
• repeated the alphabet with him
• showed him pictures to identify
• tried to play cars with him
• threw a pretend birthday party with a doll. She tried to get him to sing with her, put candles on a pretend cake, and pretend to help blow them out

This was very long for Jack. He did not want to be there answering questions and being forced to play. And it was grueling for me to sit and watch him. Trying to get him to point to pictures and identify things was so frustrating for the psychologist. That “birthday party” was ridiculous–Jack just stared at the crazy lady playing with a doll. He did love the bubbles. He did touch the play dough (to avoid the birthday party). He fingered the cars, but didn’t drive them around. In the written report it quotes him saying “I don’t have any friends”, which was very concerning to the psychologist. I remember sitting there shaking my head listening to him repeat that phrase because I knew it was a line from a book. He kept going to the window to look out, as if to escape the pressure to perform. He flapped, jumped, rocked, and played with his hands. Jack put on a perfect audition; he sure acted like he was asking for a diagnosis of autism.

This is NOT Jack either. Just an example of the picture cards that he was supposed to identify. I got this picture here.

The Written Evaluation

To read the report of Jack’s evaluation is depressing at most. He sounds like a non-responsive, impulsive, and weird kid. And I guess that’s how he might appear to a stranger. It was terribly difficult for me as a parent to watch a spotlight being turned on all of my son’s weaknesses and then have every detail mentioned in a written report. It was unreal to let a stranger in an unfamiliar environment take an hour or so to determine who my child was.

HOWEVER, it was also good. It was valuable to have someone neutral (and professionally trained, of course!) to see the issues I thought I might be imagining. It was a step forward to figuring out and helping my son. It helped me realize that I was very grateful for what Jack did have: developing speech, fairly good gross motor skills, some appropriate reactions to stimuli, a little interaction with a stranger under difficult-for-him circumstances.

In preparation for these posts, I have pored over Jack’s written evaluations and diagnosis details. Like I said, it is very difficult to read the truth. But now, we have 2 years worth of progress and maturation under our belts. I read the documents now and rejoice at how far Jack has come! He can do so many of those skills now, he can react appropriately, he can have real interactions and adapt to different situations. Because of this process, we have found therapists, teachers, programs and organizations and each one has contributed to his progress. I imagine that as I encounter these papers through the years it will actually be a heartening experience to realize his improvement.

>> Although it’s a lot of physical and emotional work to set up and go through assessments, IT IS WORTH IT! If you have worries and doubts about your child, find an agency and just check him or her out. The sooner the better. While receiving a diagnosis seems devastating, it will ultimately bring HOPE and a path for your child and family. <<

I’m sorry to stop here. I don’t mean to drag out this story to create more content and posts for this blog. Memories, feelings and conclusions are appearing to me and it’s taking me some time to discuss them. Click here to finish up with the waiting game and the official diagnosis. And I’m pretty sure you can guess what the diagnosis outcome will be!