Screening, diagnosis and learning difficulties: What to do when your child’s screening is cause for concern.

Your child has been screened for executive function or dyslexia and the report indicates that they are at risk or show significant deficits in key skills. Now what?  There are a few key elements that will keep you moving forward on the path to get help for your child.

Get your child help at school

A good first step in getting help for your child at school is to talk to their teacher about any challenges they’re facing, if you haven’t already done so. Use the screening report as a basis for this conversation; it can help connect your child’s specific weaknesses to their performance in school. Keep in mind that a teacher’s ability to support your child can greatly depend on the severity of your child’s needs and the teacher’s own background and skills. While this initial step is important, it doesn’t guarantee future support from other teachers or provide any special services your child may need to be successful.

Requesting Special Education Evaluation

The next step is to write a letter to your child’s school requesting an evaluation for special education services. This letter should explain why you believe your child may need special education and it’s a good idea to include the screening report. Having the screening report does not guarantee your child an IEP, but it reduces the odds that the school will dismiss your concerns without an evaluation.

Including the screening report with your request letter can be very helpful. Here’s why:

1. Evidence: The screening report provides concrete evidence of your child’s specific needs, making your request for evaluation more compelling, and strengthening your case for the necessity of an IEP or 504 Plan..
2. Guidance for Evaluators: It gives the evaluators starting points for their assessments. Knowing your child’s struggles with executive functioning can help them tailor the evaluation to better understand your child’s needs.
3. Speeding Up the Process: Having this information upfront could potentially speed up the evaluation process because the evaluators will already have some data to work from.

Make sure to mention in your letter that you’re including this report and briefly summarize the key findings that point to the need for an evaluation and support through an IEP or 504 Plan. You should request a comprehensive evaluation in all areas of suspected disability. So if there are concerns about the child’s performance that are not covered in the screening report, make sure to mention them in the letter so that the evaluation will cover those as well. 

The Evaluation Letter

When you request an evaluation for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, your letter should be clear and include specific details to support your request. Here are some key points to include:

1. Your Child’s Information: Start with your child’s full name, date of birth, and the school they attend. Include your contact information as well.
2. Request for Evaluation: Clearly state that you are requesting a comprehensive evaluation for special education services in all areas of suspected disability.
3. Reasons for Request: Explain why you believe your child needs an evaluation. Include any observations about your child’s academic performance, behavior, or any diagnoses from healthcare providers or other evaluations that relate to their learning or school experience.
4. Specific Areas of Concern: Mention any particular areas where you notice your child struggling, such as reading, math, attention, behavior, social skills, etc.
5. Previous Interventions: If your child has received any interventions in school or outside support, describe them and their impact.
6. Consent: Indicate that you give consent for the school to evaluate your child and that you are willing to cooperate with the school in the evaluation process.
7. Request for a Meeting: Ask for a meeting to discuss the evaluation process and any immediate steps that need to be taken.
8. Closing: End with a statement expressing your hope for collaboration in supporting your child’s educational needs.

The letter should be sent to the Special Education Director or school Principal. Remember, it’s a good idea to keep a paper trail of this communication for your records and send it through registered mail or email with a read receipt to ensure it’s received. There are rules in each state about timelines and evaluation processes. KidvoKit is a great resource to instantly answer your questions about special education so you can advocate for your child. 

School Support for Learning Disabilities

If your child is found to have a disability, then the next step in the process would be to develop an IEP or a 504 plan with the school.These document what support the school will provide and is driven by the results of the school evaluation. While the evaluation is going on, it’s worth doing some research of your own about what types of accommodations and modifications and educational services are common for kids with challenges similar to your child.

Get a diagnosis

In order to qualify for special education your child will have to be identified as having a disability. A screening report is a great tool but it’s not equivalent to having a diagnosis of a disability. (Wondering if schools diagnose dyslexia?)

Obtaining a diagnosis from a neuropsychologist in addition to the school’s evaluation can provide comprehensive insights into your child’s needs, offer an independent perspective, and support your requests for specific accommodations or services. While such evaluations can significantly inform the development of an effective IEP or 504 Plan, the final decisions regarding eligibility and accommodations are determined by the school and IEP team. 

Keep in mind the potential costs of neuropsych evaluations run in the thousands. You may want to explore options like insurance coverage or whether your child could be diagnosed by a pediatrician (e.g. ADHD). Also you have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at the school district’s expense if there’s significant disagreement with the school’s evaluation. 

Don’t stop.

As you navigate the journey of securing the appropriate support for your child, remember that each step taken—from discussing concerns with teachers to requesting detailed evaluations and obtaining a formal diagnosis—builds a stronger foundation for their educational success. The screening and evaluation processes are crucial in painting a full picture of your child’s needs, thereby guiding the development of a tailored IEP or 504 Plan. 

While the road may seem daunting, your proactive approach and persistence are key. Advocating effectively involves being informed, prepared, and resilient. Use available resources like KidvoKit for guidance, and don’t hesitate to seek external evaluations if needed to ensure all your child’s needs are comprehensively addressed. With the right support and interventions, your child can thrive in their educational journey.