I moved to arzonia from PA in PA I fought the school and challenged there MR diagnoisis, after going to a neuro psy. got the correct diagnoisis of Auditory processimg disorder. Moved here and they of course wanted to re-evaluate her they did and came up with MR wow what a surprise. I was told by them in the IEP meeting that was the only way she would qualify for the specail services that she needed. I was exhausted from just finishing fighting PA that I agreed to go with it so that she could be in the class room that she needed to be in. She hasn’t made much progress in the last year and here we are with new school year they are sending home same math that she had last year and I truly feel they are not pushing her to be successful. I am at a lost for what way to turn and what to do next? I know I need to get her into a evaluation outside of school to get a second word. I guess I am just looking for advice
wrong diagnoisis
Hi Alyssa,
I would ask what tests they used to diagnose MR?
If they took into account the APD when giving the tests?
If they didn’t, then it’s rather like giving a child who is Deaf or Blind a standard test, and not taking into account their lack of hearing or vision.
Then concluding that they have MR.
APD can qualify for services under OHI (Other Health Impairment).
Re: wrong diagnoisis
Hi Alyssa:
I’ve practiced all over the US and have encountered this problem everywhere. As you know, the evaluations are only as good as the tests used by the professionals doing the evaluation. Almost always, school districts don’t realize that a full language processing needs to be a part of the evaluation. If you don’t test for it, you won’t see it or understand what to do about it.
Depending on how old your initial evaluation is from the neuro psy from PA, you might be able to use some of that information and augment it with additional outside testing.
Also, I would seek consultation from local attorneys in your area that specialize in educational law and the federal requirements to provide your child with an appropriate educational setting. I’d start now because it is going to take some time. Ask around and find out who the top lawyers in this area are and see if they’ll do a consult with you.
You’re better off going into the schools with a strong team behind you so your daughter doesn’t have to suffer needlessly.
Let me know how it goes…You can reach me at www.doctormichaelhart.com . It’s brand new!
wrong diagnoisis
If I were you, I would contact OCR (Office of Civil Rights) to determine if the school is following the law for children with disabilities. Schools often change diagnosis to fit what the school needs and not what the student needs. It is possible that the school is trying to keep your daughter in the best services posible.
Compare state core standards for the grade she is in to the work she is actually performing at. That can be valuable in giving you leverage. How long ago did they reevaluate the IEP? Why did you allow them to re-evaluate when you had the evaluation from the neuro psych? Was the neuro psych over three years old? Did they not take into consideration its findings when they did the re-eval?
Take a look at this article: http://www.ldonline.org/article/Sample_Letters%3A_Requesting_an_Independent_Educational_Evaluation_%28IEE%29_at_Public_Expense