"Tested, Not Torn"
1 Corinthians 14:40
"But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." — 1 Corinthians 14:40
Testing
It feels like a mountain of paperwork
Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way
God is a god of order...not chaos. That includes process of understanding our neurodivergent kids.
P.O.W.E.R. Framework
P.O.W.E.R. = Plan • Organize • Win • Energize • Reclaim
P – Plan
Take control of the chaos with clear, intentional planning.
  • Advocacy: Plan your meeting goals, prep your IEP/504 emails, set timelines.
  • Stress: Plan micro-breaks, meal hacks, and bedtime resets to prevent burnout.
  • Family: Plan weekly family check-ins, chore distribution, and downtime.
O – Organize
Create systems that keep you calm, clear, and consistent.
  • Advocacy: Organize your documents digitally, use template trackers, keep paper trails.
  • Stress: Organize your day with routines that work with your natural rhythms.
  • Family: Organize roles in marriage and household to share the mental load.
W – Win
Stack small victories and celebrate progress.
  • Advocacy: Track wins — services added, goals met, teacher collaboration improved.
  • Stress: Celebrate even 5 minutes of self-care or one boundary you held.
  • Family: Acknowledge moments of connection or cooperation that went right.
E – Energize
Refuel your mind, body, and faith so you don't run dry.
  • Advocacy: Use affirmations and devotionals to stay grounded before meetings.
  • Stress: Incorporate movement, deep breathing, or quick resets into your day.
  • Family: Infuse joy into your home — play, laugh, and pray together.
R – Reclaim
Take back your identity, boundaries, and peace.
  • Advocacy: Reclaim your voice and remind the team you are the parent — the decision-maker.
  • Stress: Reclaim time for yourself without guilt.
  • Family: Reclaim harmony with clear communication and firm boundaries.
Cognitive (IQ) Testing
Purpose: Measures intellectual functioning and processing abilities.
Autism Connection:
  • Identifies uneven cognitive profiles (e.g., strong verbal vs. weak nonverbal reasoning).
  • Helps determine whether intellectual disability co-occurs with autism.
  • Informs placement, accommodations, and support levels in IEPs.
Academic Achievement Testing
Purpose: Measures reading, math, and writing performance.
Autism Connection:
  • Reveals gaps between cognitive ability and academic achievement (common in autism).
  • Identifies areas impacted by executive functioning or language comprehension challenges.
  • Guides academic goals and accommodations.
Speech & Language Evaluation
Purpose: Assesses communication skills — expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language.
Autism Connection:
  • Core to autism diagnosis and intervention, as communication is a diagnostic domain.
  • Pragmatic (social use of language) testing is especially critical.
  • Helps design goals for conversation skills, understanding social cues, and expressive language.
Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluation
Purpose: Examines fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living skills.
Autism Connection:
  • Sensory processing differences are hallmark features of autism.
  • Supports regulation, handwriting, dressing, and other adaptive behaviors.
  • Leads to sensory diets or regulation plans in school and therapy.
Behavioral & Social-Emotional Assessments
Purpose: Measures behavior, emotions, and social skills through parent/teacher reports or direct observation.
Autism Connection:
  • Identifies emotional regulation challenges, anxiety, and social interaction differences.
  • Common tools: BASC-3, Vineland, or Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2).
  • Guides behavioral supports, social skills training, or counseling.
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
Purpose: Analyzes why behaviors occur (function) and how to modify the environment to support success.
Autism Connection:
  • Used when behaviors interfere with learning (meltdowns, avoidance, aggression, etc.).
  • Identifies triggers and reinforces replacement behaviors.
  • Legally required under IDEA when behavior impedes education.
Adaptive Skills Evaluation
Purpose: Assesses everyday living skills — communication, self-care, socialization, and community use.
Autism Connection:
  • Captures real-world functioning beyond academic skills.
  • Critical for understanding independence and transition planning.
  • Common tools: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, ABAS-3.
Executive Function & Attention Testing
Purpose: Evaluates planning, organization, impulse control, and working memory.
Autism Connection:
  • Executive function challenges are common (difficulty starting tasks, shifting focus, organizing).
  • Helps differentiate between autism, ADHD, or co-occurring conditions.
  • Informs supports like visual schedules or task breakdowns.
3 Takeaways:
1
Order Is Part of Grace:
God isn't the author of confusion. Each test gives us insight — a piece of His plan revealed through data, not disorder.
2
Information Leads to Intervention:
Knowing your child's strengths and struggles equips you to advocate confidently, not guess anxiously.
3
Strategy Builds Stability:
When you understand the "why" behind behaviors or needs, you can build systems — not stress — around your child's growth.
Ultimate Mama Advocacy Toolkit
Checklists and scripts to help you stay organized & strategic when reviewing testing results or preparing for your IEP meeting.