Is it Time for an Evaluation?
As a parent, you know your child.
I have worked with many parents who have declared to me that they wished they had pursued services earlier from their public school. So, when is it time to request an evaluation and what does this process look like?
When your child experiences difficulty in school, it can be extremely frustrating. Power struggles erupt at home over homework, you may see symptoms of anxiety or depression in your child, and it feels like you are on an island.
The first step you should take is to talk with your child’s teacher or counselor. These staff members can give you insight into what they see happening at school, both academically and emotionally.
They also have an objective viewpoint because they see a large number of students who serve as a comparison population. They know what typical academic achievement and/or emotional functioning looks like among your child’s age group.
If you don’t get more insight or you feel like you walk away with more questions, there are still several steps you can take.
Here are some options:
Request a case study evaluation, in writing, to your school. This usually can be addressed to the school psychologist or director of special education. The team will have 14 school days to consider your request and must respond in writing. If they deny it, there must be multiple reasons that it is denied. If it is approved, the team will consider a domain meeting and review the components of a case study. In IL, the team has 60 school days to complete the case study and convene an eligibility meeting.
Pursue an independent evaluation. This is expensive, however, some people are more comfortable with doing this rather than having the school complete a case study and it can be a quicker process. You can always submit the evaluation for the school team to consider once it is finished. Once it is submitted, schools should consider it a request for a case study and will either deny the request, determine they need to collect more information, or move quickly through the domain process and right into eligibility.
This can be a tricky process, especially when you are emotionally taxed and dealing with a child who is struggling. If you are denied a case study for your child and truly feel it is necessary, appeal in writing to the next level of administration. Explain, in detail, the reasons why and include any data that you may have.
If needed, consult with an expert advocate or an attorney. Sometimes, having an outside person with expertise can not only help you navigate the process, but free your time to allow your energy to be directed to supporting your child on a daily basis.
Stay tuned for more helpful information...
*Timelines are specific to the State of Illinois.
All the best,
