Many parents suspect their child may need support WAY before the school notices and some pursue private evaluations for an IEP. This can include starting with their child’s physician, and then progressing to a speech and language assessment, occupational and/or physical therapy assessments, academic assessments, or a complete neuropsychological assessment.
Any of these professionals will test the student in all areas related to the assessor’s area of expertise, and do a deep dive into strengths and areas where the student needs additional support.
Sometimes parents receive the news that the student does not need support. Others will receive a detailed report of where their child needs support and specific suggestions on how to provide it. The support needs discovered in these assessments can help guide a number of parent decisions including:
Might my child be eligible for an IEP?
Do they need speech services?
Would occupational therapy make a difference for my child?
Is there a learning difference?
Sometimes the academic assessment or neuropsychological assessment can indicate learning support needs. In many cases, before hiring private assessors, the parents have reached out to their child’s school district and requested assessment in all suspected areas of disability, and the district has declined to assess. It is important to know where your child needs support, and often it is necessary to have them supported while in school.
Many parents write a new email asking the district to assess in all suspected areas of disability. They attach the private report to show there are significant discrepancies or support needs in the child’s ability to learn.
The district will not accept your private report instead of conducting their own, but they will likely weigh what is says when deciding whether or not to assess for special educational eligibility. We can help you write that email as persuasively as possible to get the initial evaluation for an IEP whether or not you have private evaluations for IEP.
For help at your child’s next IEP meeting, more information about our special education advocacy services, or for a FREE 20-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit for you, call or email today!
As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.