private therapists and school

[notellin]

I'm finding myself in an interesting predicament. My 7 yo needs help with his social interactions -- personal space, what's funny/what's not, some social cues issues. I met with a child therapist and told him the exact issues that my son needs work on. I defined the scope. I gave him a neuropsyche report. He wanted me to sign an authorization for exchange of info with the school. He wants to talk to the teacher, etc, says he can give advise on how to handle him, and advocate for my son. He asked for the name of the school MFCC intern, and who she is working under. I have a serious problem with this. I'm finding it intrusive. The school tried to push my son into the ED category on his IEP which they switched to OHI. But the school psyche's report was crafted to back up that ED finding. It is not my son, and reads like a series of sound-bites woven together to reach an ED category. It's just out there in left field. Under no circumstances do I want this school psyche's notions entertained, much less perpetuated. My neuropsyhe visited the school, talked to the school psyche, disagreed with her and told her why. I am thinking about not proceeding with the therapist. He used enough lingo to tell me that he is savy regarding the school system. Opinions?

[lillian]

Notellin,

With all the difficulties you have had with your son's school, and the grief they gave you over an OHI, I wouldn't let them have one bit of private information. My advice to parents is to never let the school and the private psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist talk to one another. I've seen too many problems with it. I've seen it backfire on the parents too many times. You can relay what is happening in school. He doesn't need to talk with the teachers. If the school wants to do an inappropriate placement of your son based on his behavior, then the private counselor can show up to dispute the placement. Until then, I wouldn't bring him in.

[notellin]

Thanks for the input lillian (I was wondering if I was being too paranoid). So as long as I tell the therapist that I don't want him communicating with the school, and I don't sign any consent forms, he cannot contact the school?

[lillian]

No, he cannot because of patient/doctor confidentiality.

[misty]

lillian said:

Notellin,

My advice to parents is to never let the school and the private psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist talk to one another. I've seen too many problems with it. I've seen it backfire on the parents too many times.

I actually agree with this advice as a rule, but, when Shannon was in therapy (She was still in the private school then) I signed for the therapist to be able to confer with the teachers & vice versa. And it worked out GREAT! they worked together & also with me so they the plan we used was used at school, in therapy, and at home...no inconsistencies. Sooo...I guess what I'm saying is, Never say never.

[Charlie Girl]

If the school had shown a willingness to do what is right for your son rather than what was expedient for them, I would give permission. Since they have shown the exact opposite I would refuse to allow any of his drs to have an exchange of information that wasn't filtered through you.

Possibly after you have had your son in with the therapist long enough to know you can totally trust him to not let the school snow him, you could allow him to advocate. Until then, have him put any suggestions in writing and you take them to the school. If he is willing to go to meetings with you present you can authoriize him to be actively involved in those but other than that, I wouldn't allow contact.

[bugsmom]

Boy, this is a hard one. We have always let our therapists/docs talk with my son's school. Like Misty's experience, it has been a good one. They have always been willing to work together and it has benefited everyone involved. But I do have to say that my son goes to a private school and they are willing to go that extra mile for him. If he was in public school I know I wouldn't let it happen. I've heard some nightmare stories and you need your private docs to back you up. I wouldn't trust the public school with private information. Just my opinion. Hope it all works out.

[lostmyshoe]

Hey notellin,

I don't know if you read a past post I wrote to I think it was Katie. I told her how I found my own psychologist to do the evaluation and testing for my daughter and then the psychologist and I sat down together with the school and worked out a plan for my daughter. If you are not happy with a therapist it is your right to find another. I was in the drivers seat the whole time and gave the school no chance whatsoever to dictate to me what my child needed. I hope you are able to work out the right plan for your son as soon as possible. So sorry to hear of your difficulties. Hope something I said may help a little. Dee