Which First - School Eval or Private Eval? HELP!

Go to the school one first and see what they say (sometimes it takes a while to get the ball rolling). Then, if you are still wanting a 2nd opinion (regardless of what the school days or specifically if you don't like their opinion) you can seek a private evaluation.

Here's my take on it (I'm a special ed administrator)...
Ask yourself this question- do you want a diagnosis or an educational plan first?

If you elect to have a private evaluation done on your son, the district does NOT have to accept the results and will require an evaluation conducted by their own team. Private evaluations are very pricey and I have found that they have little or no educational relevance. The developmental pediatrician will give you a written summary of his/her observations as well as a suggested diagnosis. Typically there are few (if any) recommendations surrounding school placements, strategies or supports.

A school-based evaluation will not necessarily provide you with a diagnosis (not required for special education), but will provide the team with baseline learning levels, language and behavioral levels and cognitive information on your child. If your son needs special education, then he will need a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment, which cannot be conducted by a developmental pediatrician b/c they do not have the qualifications to do so.

My suggestion is to reach-out to the school district and request an evaluation through them. Be candid about your concerns and let them know that you are considering a private evaluation. Many times, I would suggest that parents let "us handle" the cognitive, language and educational assessment component, but to seek-out the medical consult regarding any possible conditions that may be contributing to the child's difficulties.

Truthfully, the more information the better and school districts really don't like to over-classify students... dramatic and quick to label? Nope. Actually, we tend to be quite hesitant and slow to do so which ticks most parents off. Special education should be the last resort after everything else has been tried to remediate delays.

Also keep in mind that not all children on the spectrum require special education!

I would do a couple of private evals first. You are correct in that the public system tends to label for ease of process and you want to go in informed. I actually ended up sending all of my children to private after a bout with public and them telling me my son was seriously behind and needing to repeat a grade. Ultimately, I had him evaluated by 4 different places and found out he is GT. He is totally flourishing in private and getting art, music, and PE as well as Christian influence. I couldn't be happier.

The biggest thing I learned is to trust your instincts, it is the best! The more you know going in the better you can do for your child.

Good luck to you!

Hi S.,
I think I just answered another one of your questions...here's my take on this one.
IMHO, I would have him tested privately first and when you have the eval in your hand then I would call the school and let them know that you have a soecial needs child with ____ disability and prior to him starting PreK you would like to have a meeting with the Special Ed staff to discuss an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting to be held prior to him starting school. By doing it this way you'll already have a diagnosis and TPS will be required to hold a SpecEd IEP meeting prior to his first day in school.
Here's a couple helpful hints.
1) start a three ring binder for your son. Make sure it'sa then kind that has a clear cover on the front so you can place a picture of your son on the outside (it's a visual reminder to the staff that they are dealing with an actual child, not just another number. Make sure that when you sit down with them for your first meeting, have your three ring binder along with you and place it on the table in front of you...it helps to have the photo inserted upside down to you so it's a frontal reminder to all involved. I divided my son's binder(s) into a) diagnosis and medical records; b) current immunization record; c) school records; d) school correspondence; e) medication history (if applicable); f) list of physicians and their part in his treatment; IEP copies; I think that was all of the ones I have used. You would be surprised at the difference that the school officials respond to you when you pack in your binder. I've been able to provide SpecEd staff with test results or past IEP's when they discovered they had forgotten to include it with their paperwork required for an IEP. Believe me, the more prepared you are prior to going to a meeting...be it for an IEP, therapy, doctor's visit, etc...it'll become a habit to have your binder with you. You are your son's champion his cause for a fair education designed especially for him. It's the law, if something extra (like a para) is needed to educate your son the school district has to accomidate his needs.
2) bring a plate of cookies to every IEP meeting. The staff will appreciate it and you start off on the right foot...working as a TEAM to educate your son. We made the common mistake of thinking that we would have to fight the SpecEd staff. When in fact we all wanted what was best for my son. People do make mistakes however, so it's your job requirement now to ensure that he will receive all the benefits available to him and that the school staff follows the IEP exactly.
3) We had a college student who was finishing up her docterate in SpecEd attend a couple of our meetings and take notes. We paid her for gas money but nothing else. She was able to use the experience in writing her thesis. We got a set of notes from the meeting from her viewpoint which helped us to champion the IEP and our son with the viewpoint of three instead of two...especially a third party who doesn't know your son. A non-partial individual with no agenda other than to take notes. We found that some of things in her notes were things we had missed in the meeting.
If you would like me to attend his first IEP meeting with you I'd be happy to be your support.
One more thing, ALWAYS ask for an advance copy of the IEP in a timely manner. You'll need to peruse they document and make changes or notes where you have a suggestion or question. Also, you DO NOT have to sing off on the IEP at the meeting, you have the right to take the final document home so you can stuidy it in the privacy of your home, or take it with you to a doctor appointment (one who is treating him for his disability) and ask the doctor if the services that the school district will provide is the correct services for your son. If you want to do it that way it's helpful to make your doctor's appointment within 24-48 hours after the IEP meeting. By doing this you will build up your confidence in the way you are handling everything and it'll be quick enough to request another IEP review to discuss anything he might need added or deleted from his IEP.
Pick my brain if you like, our journey with our sons education is coming to a close. He'll soon turn 18 and I have his entire medical and psycological records ready for him.
I hope this response is as helpful as it is long (lol). Good luck. If you need an advocate in your corner just say the word and I'll help you start your journey.
BTW, I have a blog where I have addressed different aspects of living with and caring for a loved one with disabilities. My address is http://shortnsweetsreflections.blogspot.com/. I hope to see you there...it has become my mission in life to assist others with children with developmental disabilities. I'm no expert by any means, but I have been through the entire process and by having this blog I might just help someone who has heard the diagnosis they never thought they would hear.
Good luck to you and your son. Merry Christmas!
W.

Call for both, no reason you have to do 1 or the other. Usually for private evuls there is a wait.

get the private eval... then work on the issues... then go with the school eval after some time... see how things go. good luck
also you the parent have the last say where your son will go. My son they wanted to put in a help class because of how he tested.. i said no.. because i knew he could do the work.. they said let's see how it goes for 3 months.. he did excellent... so you the parent can override anything the school say..

You need both, and it does not matter which one comes first, but it may be better if you get the private results first, espcially since he is high functioning.

Call a Developmental Pedatrician and get the next appointment, which will be many months out. Also, write, do not call, the local school district and request a meeting to grant your consent to evaluate your child becuase you suspect that he has a disablity.

School distrcits educate children, doctors treat childres medical needs. Autism is a medical condition that creates educational needs. The school cannot diagnose autism, all they can do is identify educational needs assoicated with or consitent with a particular diagnosis. If the school district finds that your son needs services, they will still need a doctor to sign off on his diagnosis.

You have the wrong worry. The school district is not out to lable your child, they are more likely to take one look at him, and tell you that they dont see a darn thing going on. You need not fear a lable at all, there is nothing about a diagnosis that will hurt him, and you will find yourself fighting to get recognized, not to keep them from excluding him...this is a very common unfounded fear. The thing you have to fear is that your son will need educational services and get none, until he starts to get into trouble or fails a state assessment, and then, and only then, will they listen to you that something is going on and your son needs help. Special ed is not a place, it is a service, and you will be spending the rest of his educational days arguing that he needs more than they are ever willing to give him.

Log on to www.wrightslaw.com. Scroll down the left side of the page. Click on retention. Read about it. You need to get your son to kindergarten on time. He does not need to be older than his class, he needs to get as much intervention as he can get as early as he can get it, and he won't get that if some of his delays are masked by his age. Holding a child with needs back is one of the most devistatingly destructive things you can do.

Read about advocacy on wrightslaw. There is much you need to learn about this process. If it feels overwhelming, find your states yellow pages on the site, and find an educational advocate to help you. It is much different than you think.

M.

What does your pediatrician recommend? That would be my first call.