| Are you concerned that your child may have | | | | Ask that all evaluation reports be sent to you by mail |
| Asperger's Syndrome or be on the Autism Spectrum | | | | at least 10 days prior to the eligibility meeting; so that |
| even though special education personnel in your school | | | | you can be a full participant in the process. |
| district say that they don't? Is your child struggling | | | | Step 4 is the actual evaluation. The school has 60 |
| academically even though school personnel say | | | | days in which to complete the evaluation. Most |
| everything is fine? This article is for you! I will be | | | | evaluations have interviews with one or both parents |
| discussing the 6 steps to special education eligibility, and | | | | especially if a Vineland or an Autism Rating Scale is |
| how you can prepare for each step to increase your | | | | being given. Rating Scales should be filled out by |
| chances that your child will be found eligible! | | | | parents because they know the child best; and this will |
| The federal law that covers special education is called | | | | increase the reliability of the Scale. |
| the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 or | | | | Step 5 is the Eligibility Conference and the Individual |
| IDEA 2004; which all states must comply with. | | | | Educational Plan Meeting. If at all possible bring another |
| Step 1 is the Request for Evaluation. According to | | | | parent or an advocate who is familiar with special |
| IDEA 2004 school districts must find, locate and | | | | education. |
| evaluate all children with disabilities, under the Child Find | | | | Ask lots of questions especially about terminology that |
| section. You may submit a written request that your | | | | you do not understand. Ask evaluators to fully explain |
| child receive a comprehensive psychological evaluation, | | | | their report, and especially any scores that are below |
| to determine if they have a disability. | | | | grade level. If scores are below grade level evaluators |
| You should include any information that supports your | | | | should be able to tell you why? For example: A third |
| case that your child has a disability. Outside evaluations, | | | | grade student that reads at a first grade level may |
| medical reports, district and state wide standardized | | | | have undiagnosed learning disabilities. Any area that is |
| testing, teacher comments etc. Also in your request, | | | | below grade level means that a child may need |
| mention all areas that you think your child may have a | | | | related and or special education services in this area, in |
| disability in because schools must test in all areas of | | | | order to benefit from their education. |
| suspected disability. | | | | If the child is found eligible then an Individual Educational |
| Step 2 is the decision by the school district whether | | | | Plan (IEP) must be developed for the child. All services |
| they are going to test your child; which is usually done | | | | needed should be included on the IEP, as well as |
| at a meeting between parents and school personnel. | | | | minutes per week that the child will receive the service. |
| You must stand up for your child at this meeting, and | | | | Step 6 is Consent for special education Placement. |
| absolutely insist that your child be tested in all areas of | | | | IDEA 2004 requires that parents sign for initial related |
| suspected disability. | | | | and special education services. Special education is not |
| Step 3 is the consent to evaluate. If the school agrees | | | | necessarily a special class, but can be services that |
| to evaluate your child you must sign a consent form | | | | your child needs for their education. Related services |
| for this testing. IDEA 2004 requires that parents give | | | | are things such as therapies, assistive technology, |
| informed consent. What does this mean? This means | | | | counseling, etc. |
| that you understand what tests are going to be given | | | | While eligibility is not guaranteed, advocating for your |
| and in what areas. You may withhold consent to test | | | | child you will increase your chance of having your child |
| in one area, or to give a specific test if you do not | | | | found eligible for special education services! |
| agree. | | | | |