How to get my child tested

[quote=Leeleesmom]My daughter ahs a reading disability. She does well in math and other nonreading subjects and does not have emotional, pyschological, or behavioral issues. I feel she has dyslexia. The school she currently attends is willing to test her but we are moving back to another state and she will be in the same school she was before we moved originaly. In TN I have had a lot of problems getting them to test her. They say it is not something that schools test for anymore. Here in NC they say that is not so and will test her. The problem is we will have moved before the testing can be finished. How do I make her school in TN test her. They do have an IEP for her and resource reading but I want more for her. I don’t want this bright child swept under a rug.[/quote]

Have the eval done privately. DO NOT TRUST THE SCHOOL! They will be more than happy to sweep your daughter underthe rug and let her get walked upon.

[quote=Leeleesmom]My daughter ahs a reading disability. She does well in math and other nonreading subjects and does not have emotional, pyschological, or behavioral issues. I feel she has dyslexia. The school she currently attends is willing to test her but we are moving back to another state and she will be in the same school she was before we moved originaly. In TN I have had a lot of problems getting them to test her. They say it is not something that schools test for anymore. Here in NC they say that is not so and will test her. The problem is we will have moved before the testing can be finished. How do I make her school in TN test her. They do have an IEP for her and resource reading but I want more for her. I don’t want this bright child swept under a rug.[/quote]

Have the eval done privately. DO NOT TRUST THE SCHOOL! They will be more than happy to sweep your daughter underthe rug and let her get walked upon.

The disability of “dyslexia” falls under the umbrella of Specific Learning Disability. It could be in the area of basic reading skills, reading comprehension, or multiple other areas. See the TN Dept of Education website under Special Education. Find the .pdf for Specific Learning Disability.

The schools do not respond to the term dyslexia. So if your child already has an IEP for a Specific Learning Disability in Reading Comprehension or Basic Reading skills, the school feels the problem is being addressed.

I would keep the process going where you are, and the day you set foot into the TN school I would request in writing that a comprehensive assessment be conducted to include but not limited to assessment of basic reading skills, reading comprehension, and speech and language skills based on the difficulties your child is having at the previous school.

They must address the issue within a required time period. They may decide not to test. At that point, you should file an appeal.

Getting an outside evaluation is a good idea if you can afford it. Not everyone can do that. Get vision checked by a reputable developmental optometrist or vision therapist (same thing but different areas call them different names).

Get familiar with the Dept of Education of Tennessee. The laws for Special Education should be accessable on-line. Sometimes local schools tell you what they think they can get away with. So if you asked for testing for dyslexia - no they don’t do that. If you do not ask in writing you may not get. Also, if they say no, ask (in writing) for written response for the reason of rejection. Get everything in writing and save copies of what you send and their response.

Thank you all so much. I will definitely be taking your advice.