Do you have a child in PRIVATE SCHOOL that you suspect has a disability, but cannot get additional supports at your school without a medical diagnosis or educational eligibility for an IEP?
In my 17 years as a public-school School Psychologist, I have tested many children in private schools who clearly had a disability, but were not allowed accommodations or services at their school without a formal diagnosis or IEP. As a public-school school psychologist, I could only give an educational eligibility and offer an IEP. Not a clinical diagnosis. This felt silly, as the parents almost always wanted to keep their child in the private school setting, where they could not get services from an IEP that I recommended, and where most private schools did not have any additional supports.
These days, however, many private schools do have special teachers for providing pull-our reading and math support, and will create a 504 plan for testing or classroom accommodations. The catch? The child still needs to go through an evaluation to determine if they qualify.
Do I have to use the public school district for my child’s educational or medical evaluation?
Quite simply, no, you do not. For parents seeking an evaluation for their child attending a private school, choosing between a public school evaluation and a private one can be challenging. While your child is entitled to a free evaluation through your home public-school, private evaluations often offer advantages that may better suit the needs of students in private school settings.
From quicker results and a less tedious process, to personalized recommendations and flexible scheduling, a private evaluation from a Licensed Educational Psychologist (available in CA), clinical psychologist can provide families with an efficient, tailored, and highly individualized experience. Unlike public school evaluations, which can involve lengthy waiting periods and multiple meetings, private evaluations are designed to be convenient, thorough, and immediately actionable, offering valuable insights and support to ensure students reach their full potential.
Here’s 10 Reasons why a Private Disability Evaluation is a BETTER choice than a Public School Evaluation
- Quick Results: Private evaluations often offer faster scheduling and turnaround times, meaning families can receive results and recommendations much sooner than through a school evaluation process.
- No Hassling with the School District: Since private evaluations are conducted independently, families avoid the often lengthy and bureaucratic process involved in school district evaluations, such as waiting periods and administrative delays.
- Single Comprehensive Appointment: Private evaluations typically take place in one or two sessions, eliminating the need for multiple meetings that are common in school-based evaluations.
- Personalized Attention: Private evaluators focus entirely on the individual needs of each client, offering more in-depth analysis and tailored recommendations based on the specific challenges the child or adult faces.
- Confidentiality: Families have control over the information, choosing whether or not to share the results with the school. This ensures a level of privacy that is not always possible with school evaluations.
- Broader Range of Tests: Private evaluators can select from a wider variety of assessment tools, beyond those approved by the school district, providing a more nuanced understanding of an individual’s abilities and challenges.
- Detailed Written Report: Private evaluations typically include a comprehensive written report with actionable recommendations, helpful for both academic settings and personal understanding.
- Focused Recommendations: Private evaluators are able to recommend supports and accommodations beyond what schools might provide, which can be valuable for families seeking additional resources or therapeutic interventions.
- Flexible Scheduling: Private evaluators often offer more flexibility with scheduling, including options for weekend or afterschool appointments, so students don’t have to miss instructional time.
- Independent Perspective: Private evaluations provide an objective perspective, free from the constraints of school policies or budgetary limitations, giving a clearer, unbiased picture of the individual’s strengths and needs.
Why wouldn’t I want my child’s doctor to give me the diagnosis?
While medical doctors can be qualified to give a medical diagnosis, my experience is that their diagnosis is based on minimal direct evaluations, observations of the child in the school setting, and are solely based on the parents’ observations. This makes for a result that may not be the full picture or be able to provide accurate recommendations, other than medication, for your child’s learning. While your insurance may cover the cost, it is not an educationally based diagnosis and cannot provide your child’s school with the accommodations or service recommendations that are specific to your child, only generalizations of recommendations for children with that specific disability.
For Families living in California, there are affordable private evaluation options
For families in California, SoCal Educational Evaluations is an great choice for private evaluations from a Licensed Educational Psychologist. With flexible options for virtual testing throughout the state and in-person services across Southern California, SoCal Educational Evaluations offers convenient and accessible support for students of all ages. The psychologists at SoCal specializes in providing thorough, timely, and personalized educationally-based evaluations for a range of needs, from early childhood assessments to accommodations for college-bound students.
Their commitment to high-quality, individualized care ensures each client receives a clear, detailed understanding of their strengths and challenges, along with actionable recommendations. By choosing SoCal Educational Evaluations, families can feel confident that they are getting a professional, compassionate, and effective evaluation experience tailored to support their child’s unique educational journey.
Click HERE to Learn more about SoCal Educational Evaluations!