Special Needs Evaluations: The Boss Level of Parenting Quests

Has your parent spidy-sense kicked in and you feel your child needs a little extra support- like a Special Needs Evaluation? Welcome to the superhero club!

Let’s tie our capes and masks on tight and explore some ESA options.

MET, IEP and 504 - received at a public school

The amount of acronyms which pop up all the time in the special education realm can seem like alphabet soup! These are three that you will see often and need to get acquainted with. Before we break this down like the glass your child just dropped, let's get a cheat sheet together that explains what these acronyms mean.

• MET: (Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team) - the evaluation which determines eligibility.
• IEP: (Individual Education Plan) - A customized education plan with goals and services (for students under the IDEA law).
• 504: Accommodations without special instruction (for access and equity).

Something to note, METs, IEPs and 504s can only be created by a public school. For you to obtain one, you will need to contact your neighborhood school to set up an appointment. Local schools are required to complete these for any student under “Child Find” and A.A.C. R7-2-401(D)(1). These laws state that public schools must do an evaluation for a MET/IEP/504 for any child suspected of having a disability.

What if you don’t want to jump through these hoops like a pro-basketball player? Rest easy, there is a better way- IEE!

IEE Explained: Because sometimes parents need a second option

This is the route I took, and to be honest, I did it because I didn't want to have to schedule with the local school. The public school system was difficult to work with and I was tired of the push back. (If you know, you know). I picked up the phone and called my beloved pediatrician. She’s the one who actually cares about her patients, the one who you want to sit down with over a cup of coffee and pick her brain on all the things that linger in the back of your parent-mind. This phone call is what literally changed my child’s life - for the better.

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Find an MD, DO, psychologist, or psychiatrist who is willing to listen and help determine the medical diagnosis affecting your child’s educational needs.

Step 2: Make an appointment with that MD, DO, psychologist or psychiatrist.

Step 3: The wait for a helpful practitioner may be long, but trust me, this is more pleasant if you are working with the right professional. When you attend your child’s first appointment come with these things:

• A list of learning challenges you have observed whether that be something like “My child can’t sit still in their seat” to a more thorough description of “My child’s handwriting is visibly delayed. They are unable to hold a pencil properly and they hold it in a fist like a clench”. Any detail that you provide to the physician will be helpful in determining if there is a diagnosis which affects your child’s education.
• You will want to come armed with a formal document that makes your physician’s life easier - linked here! If you would like help filling this out, reach out to us and we will connect you with an ESA proMom who can help!
• Testimonials from anyone working directly with your child in an educational setting.
• They should explain any challenges they see your child has. Make these short and sweet. Pro-Mom Tip: Highlight the key areas you want the physician’s eyes to be drawn to.

Another way to get an IEE is to simply search for a specialist. For example, if you have a child who has a speech delay, you can have an evaluation completed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (an SLP). Then bring that documentation to an MD, DO, Psychologist or Psychiatrist for them to sign off that they are in agreement with the findings.

Seems overwhelming? Don’t worry. We got you! Give us a call or a text at (833) 348-6330. We can help walk you through this process and give you first-hand guidance from experienced parents. Your child’s education matters. You don’t need to do this alone.

Superhero Mom…. you’ve got this! It’s time to untie the cape, take off the mask, and start that bubble bath you so desperately want. You are equipped with the right team beside you. Let us know how we can help.

Your friend,

-Stacey Brown, Pathfinder Founding Mom