When Your Child May Need Further Assessments
As a parent, ensuring that your child receives the best education possible is a top priority. For those of us with children who have special needs, this often means navigating the complexities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Yesterday, we had our annual IEP revision meeting for my child, and I wanted to share our experience, particularly how additional assessments have helped us better understand his learning styles and needs.
Our IEP Revision Meeting
IEP meetings can be both daunting and enlightening. These annual meetings are designed to review your child’s progress, set new goals, and ensure that the necessary services and supports are in place. During our recent meeting, we took a deep dive into my child's current IEP, evaluating his progress over the past year. We discussed his achievements, the areas where he faced challenges, and how well the current interventions were working.
However, despite the detailed review, I had lingering concerns about certain aspects of his learning that seemed to be overlooked. His teachers had also observed some inconsistencies in his performance across different subjects. This led us to consider whether there were underlying issues that had not been fully identified by his existing assessments.
Why We Decided to Request Additional Assessments
Several signs indicated that further assessments were necessary for my child:
Academic Struggles: Although my child excelled in reading, he struggled significantly with writing. This discrepancy suggested that there might be specific learning difficulties that we hadn't yet uncovered.
Behavioral Issues: Over the past few months, there had been an increase in his frustration and occasional outbursts during homework sessions, which seemed to stem from the challenges he faced in writing tasks.
Feedback from Educators: His teachers reported that he was having trouble staying focused during certain activities and seemed to be particularly sensitive to noise, which affected his ability to concentrate in class.
Developmental Delays: At home, we noticed that he had difficulty with fine motor skills, such as tying his shoes and using scissors, which seemed atypical for his age.
Given these concerns, it was clear that we needed a more comprehensive understanding of his needs. We decided to request additional assessments to gain a better insight into his learning styles and potential areas of difficulty.
How We Requested Additional Assessments
To initiate the process, I wrote a formal request to the school's principal and the special education coordinator. In my letter, I outlined the specific areas of concern and the reasons why we believed further evaluations were necessary. Here is a sample of the letter we used:
Dear [Case Manager], I am writing to formally request further assessments for my child, [Child’s Name], who is currently [Grade Level] at [School’s Name]. I have noticed several areas of concern that I believe warrant additional evaluations to ensure [Child’s Name] receives the appropriate support and services. Specifically, I am requesting assessments in the following areas: - Speech and language - Occupational therapy - Psychological evaluation These concerns are based on observations at home, feedback from teachers, and noticeable discrepancies in academic performance. I believe that further assessments in these areas are crucial for accurately identifying [Child’s Name]’s needs and ensuring they receive appropriate support. Please confirm receipt of this request and inform me of the next steps in the evaluation process. I look forward to working with the IEP team to support [Child’s Name]’s educational progress. Sincerely, [Your Name]The Assessment Process and ResultsAfter submitting the request, the school promptly responded and scheduled the assessments. Over the next few weeks, qualified professionals conducted a series of evaluations, including a speech and language assessment, an occupational therapy evaluation, and a psychological assessment.
The results provided us with invaluable insights. The speech and language assessment revealed that my child had a language processing disorder, which explained his difficulties with writing. The occupational therapy evaluation highlighted fine motor skill delays, and the psychological assessment indicated that he had mild sensory processing issues that affected his ability to concentrate in noisy environments.
The Impact on His IEP
With these new findings, we were able to make significant adjustments to his IEP:
New Goals: We set specific, measurable goals to address his language processing and fine motor skills.
Additional Services: We included speech therapy and occupational therapy sessions in his IEP.
Classroom Accommodations: To help with his sensory processing issues, we arranged for a quieter workspace and provided noise-canceling headphones.
Moving Forward
The additional assessments have been a game-changer for us. They have given us a clearer picture of my child's unique learning profile and have allowed us to tailor his educational plan more effectively. If you suspect that your child’s needs are not fully understood or if they are struggling despite existing interventions, I highly recommend considering further assessments.
Tips for Other Parents
Pay Attention to Signs: Look for consistent academic struggles, behavioral issues, developmental delays, and feedback from educators.
Communicate: Regularly discuss your child's progress and any concerns with their teachers and other school staff.
Document Observations: Keep detailed records of your child's performance and behavior at home and in school.
Be Proactive: Don’t hesitate to request additional assessments if you believe they are necessary.
Collaborate: Work closely with the IEP team to ensure that the new information is effectively incorporated into your child’s plan.
By being proactive and informed, you can help ensure that your child receives the comprehensive support they need to thrive in their educational journey.
