re-eval after IEE?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
re-eval after IEE?
3
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 11:39pm

We just finished an Independent Evaluation (that my school district paid for). The independent doctor diagnosed Asperger's and Communication Disorder. I asked for the IEP meeting and the school program specialist said now I have to allow the school psychologist to asses him for autism. This same school psychologist assesed my DS 6 months ago and said he was "normal" and pushed to exit him from services.

We used the "stay put" rule to keep DS in services (OT , Speech and Language, Counseling)while we continue to disagree with the school.

Am I crazy to think that seeing this guy is not a good idea for my DS?

Paula (mom to Joel, 10, aspergers, and Sarah 14, typical)

I posted on IEP and 504 board also, and I wanted to get opinions here. TIA for your help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 6:12am

I would ask what exactly does it mean to asses him for autism. What are they planning on looking at now that they didn't look at 6 months ago. Had your ds met all of his goal for speech, OT, and counseling? What happens if you refuse to allow the assesment?

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 7:33am

Paula,

I only had one IEE and the SD didn't request any more assessments, although the laws and practices may be different in your region.

Is this assessment for autism services or is it to accept/refute the DX? I would politely ask in writing for the purpose, procedures (what type and duration of tests will be performed, and by whom? will any other individuals be involved?), goals and deliverables of this assessment. It is your right to know this and the impact it may have on Joel.

Also, if you are a member of any local parent groups who have dealt with this school district, (I'm thinking maybe CHADD, ASA, SEPTA, etc), it might be good to get local advice, to see if this is standard practice and what you might expect from it.

HTH and GL
-Paula R

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 5:07pm

Well I can think of 2 scenarios for the reason.

1- Autism is an educational category but Aspergers is not. Speech/language is a category as well. So the evaluaation may be to determine if given the IEE diagnosis of Aspergers and communication disorder, where he fits educationally (autism, OHI or Speech-language impaired- since he has a communication disorder as well). Also, they may say they still need to determine eligibility because an outside or medical diagnosis doesn't automatically qualify for an IEP. However, that is weird to me. An IEE is usually done because you didn't agree with the school assessment so the IEE should be the one that determines eligibility. I could be wrong however. But it doesn't seem right that they should have to do another assessment. Should be able to determine eligibility based on the IEE.

If they insist on doing another evaluation tell them that first, you want compensatory services dating back to the initial time line or when the first set of evaluations should have been complete (because it is there fault he has not been recieving services for all this time. You want that agreed to in writing. And then also, since this lady messed up the eval the first time, you want someone else to do the assessment, preferably someone who works alot with autism spectrum disorders.

2- They still disagree with the ASD diagnosis and don't want to agree to it so are refuting it.

Renee

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