Mental Evaluation?

What exactly do they do for a mental evaluation?
They sent me packets of questionares for both the girls so we can get some info on how they are acting so that they can get started on the speech and motor skills therapy. Then they have points for how you answered.
If it was something normal or "on time" for their age they didn't get any points, but if it was a little behind or something they hadn't even started doing then they got points based off how important it was.
It said that if the child reaches 50 points or more that they needed a mental evaluation.
Lila hit 70 on the first page  
And Reilly is over 50 too but not as bad as Lila.

So what are they going to do? Is it just the step saying that they do need to be looked at? Or does it mean that it's more serious? And that something could be wrong?
I can't wait to talk to these people and get more information  

LO just had one. It took about 2+ hours. They just observe them and test them for certain things...
They are probably just wanting to rule out autism. LO had to get one so he could get speech therapy and therapy for his sensory issues...

ETA: It's not that serious  

Quoting Uncle Obama's Banana:" What exactly do they do for a mental evaluation? They sent me packets of questionares for both the girls ... [snip!] ... that it's more serious? And that something could be wrong? I can't wait to talk to these people and get more information   "

It really depends. The higher the score obviously the more they are delayed. It doesn't mean it's more "serious" necessarily, as in, it may be something that can be worked through pretty easily. As you know, Teagan scored very low (low is bad in this case) on most of her tests at first.

Also, it depends on what it is. Some evaluate their cognitive ability, others look at their social skills. So what they do or what it means also depends on what they are delayed in.

Really try not to stress until you do the evals. That way they can talk to you then and see what's going on and what your options are.

Thanks guys. It just sucks.
I've been under so much stress this last week.  
It was one thing when I was just worrying like I always do. But now that there are other people and even doctors agreeing that they are behind it's really sinking in   I don't want them to have to deal with any of this.

It depends. My son had the same eval from Brighton when he was around 2 1/2 and they determined that he did need services for sensory issues and attention/focusing issues plus a little bit of speech. So now they come to the house once a week for about an hour and they work with him on those issues. He started in March and since then he has gotten so much better

Quoting Bob Wehadababyitsaboy:" It depends. My son had the same eval from Brighton when he was around 2 1/2 and they determined that ... [snip!] ... week for about an hour and they work with him on those issues. He started in March and since then he has gotten so much better "

Yeah that's what they are wanting to do with the girls. I just didn't know if the Mental eval was something different.  
I'm so glad to hear that everyone's kids have thrived with these sessions.

What all do they do with them when they come over? How do they get the kids to cooperate if they don't like strangers?
Like what if Reilly freaks out and only wants me while the therapist is here?

Quoting Uncle Obama's Banana:" Yeah that's what they are wanting to do with the girls. I just didn't know if the Mental eval was something ... [snip!] ... kids to cooperate if they don't like strangers? Like what if Reilly freaks out and only wants me while the therapist is here? "

I was there the whole time, they just did little tasks with him and determined if he could complete them they also asked me a whole bunch of questions about him and his milestones. They mostly determine if the kid qualifies by the answers you give them to their questions. At the end of the session they determined that he would qualify for their services. They were/are super nice, the same ladies that evaluated him also see him every week and im sitting right there for every session  

Quoting Uncle Obama's Banana:" Yeah that's what they are wanting to do with the girls. I just didn't know if the Mental eval was something ... [snip!] ... kids to cooperate if they don't like strangers? Like what if Reilly freaks out and only wants me while the therapist is here? "

It takes a while somtimes. Teagan didn't warm up to the teacher at first, but after a while they became best friends. The teachers brought toys and sat on the floor. Sometimes they painted, sometimes they played with the toys, sometimes we did outtings to the park, or even to the firestation ones.

They are used to dealing with kids that have social issues, so being fearful or uncooperative isn't at all uncommon. The teachers know how to deal with it, and sometimes it just takes time.

These are a few of what I have of Teagan and her old teacher:





Teagan in the Mr. Potato head glasses when playing with her teacher



They also did a ton of crafts

Quoting she nan igans:" These are a few of what I have of Teagan and her old teacher: Teagan in the Mr. Potato head glasses when playing with her teacher They also did a ton of crafts"

UGH She is so freakin cute!
I think they will both like that once they figure it out. It will just be a process.

Quoting Uncle Obama's Banana:" UGH She is so freakin cute! I think they will both like that once they figure it out. It will just be a process. "

She was for sure not okay with it at first. She'd sit way far away from the teacher. By the end though she crawled right into the teachers lap when she got there. haha. They adjust, and the teachers expect it to take a little while

Quoting she nan igans:" She was for sure not okay with it at first. She'd sit way far away from the teacher. By the end though ... [snip!] ... crawled right into the teachers lap when she got there. haha. They adjust, and the teachers expect it to take a little while"

Well that's good.   Thank you for making me feel better about this. <3