What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Do you think we are too quick today to place labels on our kids (learning diabled, on the spectrum, ADHD, etc.)? I feel like everywhere I go I meet someone or know someone personally who has a child, primarily a boy, who is receiving services for something or who is labeled. I have also read something like 85% of kids receiving services in our area are boys

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Yes, I do.

I think parents feel better when they can explain their childs behaviour by saying he/she has ADD or ADHD. So it's not just normal 1,2 or 3 yo behaviour, KWIM?

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

I think for some reason, parents are much more apt these days to compare their chidlren to others and seek services and evaluations sooner than they would have 20 years ago. However, that's not to say those services aren't needed - I think the fields of OT, PT, speech, etc. have come so far that it is easier to identify children who may be in need of those services. But I do think that there are cases where children are evaluated and maybe "scored" so that they do receive services sooner, when if they were just given some more time to develop, they might not need them at all.

From what I understand a child can't officially be labeled with most disabilities until after the age of 3 at which time the evals and services are provided by the school district, correct? Please let me know if I am wrong about this. Obviously I am only talking about within a school district, not by a ped or specialist.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Message edited 6/21/2010 3:44:14 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Message edited 6/21/2010 3:45:41 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Posted by jellybean1420

Posted by saraH

I think most parents feel better when they can explain their childs behaviour by saying he/she has ADD or ADHD. So it's not just normal 1,2 or 3 yo behaviour, KWIM?

I thinks parents feel the same...but when did it become ok for kids to NOT act like kids? Schools want them to be perfect by the time they get to kindergarten.

Especially with boys...IMO, they are wired differently. They learn differently. They dont mature as fast. They are a different "animal" all together. Yet we are forcing them to go against all of that and conform to this perfect kid so they can pass all their state tests and be reading by the age of 4

On top of that I hear of kids being misdiagnosed all the time.

Everytime I go somewhere and meet someone or even a few of my friends kids...receive services of some kids or have some type of label placed on them.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Message edited 6/21/2010 4:23:31 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

A big problem is that parents willFIGHT for their child to get services even if they have been found to not need them. DH is a school psych and sees this all the time. Parents who have the money will bring in lawyers and fight for their child to recieve services like reading services, extended time, teaching assistant. The school districts just dont have the money to fight back and it is cheaper to give in and pay for the services.

Message edited 6/21/2010 5:20:26 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Message edited 6/21/2010 5:16:50 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

your child doesnt need a specific diagnosis to get services. the child would just be classified as a preschooler with a disability, which could JUST be developmental delays.

I, myself wouldn't worry about the possibility of a label and just get my child the help he or she needs.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

These are my thoughts:

I think that for a child to get approved the first time, it's very hard. I think once a child is approved and in EI they start to expect things that even children their own age aren't doing. Random example: Does he cut with scissors? No, but I never thought to give him scissors at the age of two. They then check off that he doesn't know how to cut with scissors and score him on that.

I also think that they put too much stock into one 30 minute evaluation. IMO I think that the evals for CPSE should be done by the therapists. They came in here and expected Jack to perform for them after meeting them two minutes earlier. One woman didn't even introduce herself to him or make him feel comfortable. If it was his speech therapist giving the evals then I know he would have scored so differently.

The thing I hate the most is reading the summary of the evals. I KNOW my kid can count to 20. I know my kid knows what a cookie is. I KNOW that the evaluation is not a true representation of who he is.

When we had our CPSE meeting and they wanted to put him in an integrated preschool I really almost lost my mind. I was devastated by this especially because I know the progress he has made, and the progress he has made in his regular preschool. Is he where other kids his age are at? No, I don't think so. Is he far behind? No, not anymore.

I don't even know if I answered your question - I just ranted the entire time. Sorry, I do understand how you feel though!

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Here in MD we just use the Developmental Delay *label* for most children under 5. In fact, in certain circumstances we are now permitted to use that label up to age 8.

Only in cases of outside diagnosis (like autism by a developmental pediatrician) do we choose to use any other label.

At least in my county, we are pretty conservative about giving out labels. Often times we have parents fighting for specific labels rather than just going with the DD label.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

I read a book not long ago called "They Way of Boys," by Anthony Rao. To some extent, I agreed with him--he contends many boys are misdiagnosed with disorders and societal expectations of the way boys should behave does not mesh at all with the way they are wired.

That said, the problem I had with his book was that I could see some parents who suspect something is off with their child reading this, and saying he's a boy, let him be for awhile. Which in some cases might be fine, but in others may do the child harm if he doesn't receive necessary help.

But I do agree that most adults expect young boys to function on a level that just isn't appropriate or easy for them.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Yes I absolutely do. While I think the help that is available to our children so early on is wonderful I think the labeling happens way too fast.
My DD has SPD but I really don't make an issue of it because honestly I don't think she needs to be labeled. She's in regular school, gets OT and we deal with the issues at home as best we can. I don't think she needs to feel different or "special" and honestly I think as she grows it will be something she will be able to cope with on her own if we give her the tools she needs.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

First of all, from ages 3-5 under the CPSE umbrella, the only "label" a child gets is "preschooler with a disability". After age 5, they have to be classified according to one of the 13 classification labels outlined in the individuals with disabilites education act.

Also, my son was recently evaluated at 21 months. I personally did not (and still do not) think he qualifies, but his daycare is having difficulty with him. They feel that his behavior is atypical. I feel that he is exhitbiting behaviors of a typical 2 year old! I think unfortunately, due to the high expectations now in Kindergarten, people have high expectations of children. Therefore, if they are not up to a specific "standard" they are atypical.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

As I say often with many of these discussions, it just isn't that black and white to me.

My DS gets services, so I guess one would say he is "labelled". I am not sure I agree with all of the evaluations 100% and I do question some things people tell us, but to me, if that label is going to get him the help he needs, they can call him a purple people eater for all I care. I know he needs the help, and to get it at a young age is so important.

Personally, i don't understand why someone would fight for services they don't need, I guess they think it will give their kid an edge. My greatest hope is that my son catches up and eventually doesn't actually need the services.

Message edited 6/21/2010 10:11:38 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Posted by Diana1215

These are my thoughts:

I think that for a child to get approved the first time, it's very hard. I think once a child is approved and in EI they start to expect things that even children their own age aren't doing. Random example: Does he cut with scissors? No, but I never thought to give him scissors at the age of two. They then check off that he doesn't know how to cut with scissors and score him on that.

I also think that they put too much stock into one 30 minute evaluation. IMO I think that the evals for CPSE should be done by the therapists. They came in here and expected Jack to perform for them after meeting them two minutes earlier. One woman didn't even introduce herself to him or make him feel comfortable. If it was his speech therapist giving the evals then I know he would have scored so differently.

The thing I hate the most is reading the summary of the evals. I KNOW my kid can count to 20. I know my kid knows what a cookie is. I KNOW that the evaluation is not a true representation of who he is.

When we had our CPSE meeting and they wanted to put him in an integrated preschool I really almost lost my mind. I was devastated by this especially because I know the progress he has made, and the progress he has made in his regular preschool. Is he where other kids his age are at? No, I don't think so. Is he far behind? No, not anymore.

I don't even know if I answered your question - I just ranted the entire time. Sorry, I do understand how you feel though!

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

i am a special ed. teacher and yes, i think we do too much labeling. in one sense, it is GREAT that there is so much awareness out there, but it leads to a LOT of people NOT knowing what they are talking about and frankly misinforming other people. often, well meaning parents and educators do NOT know what they are talking about. the minute a kid is hyper he has ADHD, or the minute he doesn't look you in the eye, he has autism. we are too quick to label. to truly be diagnosed correctly takes time and should only be done by a trained professional.

in addition, i also feel that we expect a LOT from kids nowadays. developmentally, we expect, at times, things that are just not where they are supposed to be, and at times, i feel that kids are labeled with something, when really it's because we are asking too much. does that make sense?

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Posted by jellybean1420

Posted by Jacksmommy

First of all, from ages 3-5 under the CPSE umbrella, the only "label" a child gets is "preschooler with a disability". After age 5, they have to be classified according to one of the 13 classification labels outlined in the individuals with disabilites education act.

If this is true, this is good to know. I will have to ask about this. I was under the assumption they have to assign a specific label (speech delayed, autism, etc,). I know there are several moms on the special needs boards who children are under 5 who have been diagnosed with autism...is that only in more severe cases than???

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Posted by jellybean1420

Posted by Jacksmommy

First of all, from ages 3-5 under the CPSE umbrella, the only "label" a child gets is "preschooler with a disability". After age 5, they have to be classified according to one of the 13 classification labels outlined in the individuals with disabilites education act.

If this is true, this is good to know. I will have to ask about this. I was under the assumption they have to assign a specific label (speech delayed, autism, etc,). I know there are several moms on the special needs boards who children are under 5 who have been diagnosed with autism...is that only in more severe cases than???

Message edited 6/21/2010 10:46:01 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on placing "labels" on children today?

Posted by jellybean1420

Posted by Diana1215

These are my thoughts:

I think that for a child to get approved the first time, it's very hard. I think once a child is approved and in EI they start to expect things that even children their own age aren't doing. Random example: Does he cut with scissors? No, but I never thought to give him scissors at the age of two. They then check off that he doesn't know how to cut with scissors and score him on that.

I also think that they put too much stock into one 30 minute evaluation. IMO I think that the evals for CPSE should be done by the therapists. They came in here and expected Jack to perform for them after meeting them two minutes earlier. One woman didn't even introduce herself to him or make him feel comfortable. If it was his speech therapist giving the evals then I know he would have scored so differently.

The thing I hate the most is reading the summary of the evals. I KNOW my kid can count to 20. I know my kid knows what a cookie is. I KNOW that the evaluation is not a true representation of who he is.

When we had our CPSE meeting and they wanted to put him in an integrated preschool I really almost lost my mind. I was devastated by this especially because I know the progress he has made, and the progress he has made in his regular preschool. Is he where other kids his age are at? No, I don't think so. Is he far behind? No, not anymore.

I don't even know if I answered your question - I just ranted the entire time. Sorry, I do understand how you feel though!

I definetely know your feelings when it comes to the evaluations...but in regards to the pre-school programs they offer I have heard nothing but GREAT things about them. Not just on here but from friends or people I have bumped into. I even met a woman last week at a birthday party who's son goes to the BOCES program in Bellmore by me and she said her son has done a complete 180 in only 6 months. He also received his OT there.

My concern with the pre-school programs they offer (such as BOCES, Little Village, etc) is how they group the children together...I would want him placed with "like" children, KWIM? According to the mom I met, her son is in a class with 6 kids who are all at the same level and have a teacher and speech teacher in the class. It's almost like he gets speech therapy all day.