School psych eval vs private

[Anonymous]

We're on a wait list for a neurpsych eval with a group that accepts insurance but it's a long wait. School requested an eval as well and it seems like it'll be less of a wait. We have also considered paying for a private eval since we could likely have it completed over the summer. Any experience with the school evals and whether they truly cover the same as a private one? I'm not sure what we're dealing with ASD 1 vs ADHD vs ? Just hoping to figure out how best to help and accommodate my kiddo. Any insights are appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Age?

[Anonymous]

I would let the school do it bc at my child’s school they required they do their own regardless of what my insurance did and diagnosed. Your insurance evaluation will be better and more detailed. We live in DC and he attends a public charter school. Our insurance covers neuropsych evaluations every other year for my son.

[Anonymous]

Our only experience is with a private eval (at CAAT - center for assessment and treatment). It has been expensive, but we have no regrets. We had a therapist basically say the ones that take insurance are not as good. Since this will have such a significant impact on our child, we were willing to pay. What we got out of it was very clearly explained diagnoses (despite our child's case being quite subtle) and recommendations for supports. The supports recommendations are so important and our evaluator was really specific about which types of services our child needs.

I can't personally speak to how it compares to school evals or evals paid for by insurance. My impression is that the scope of the school eval is not the same as a full private eval. Not sure exactly what the difference is.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in 6th private and we just did it through mcps. Started the paperwork in Nov, school had to do part snd so did we. Turned that in in Dec and just got an ADHD diagnosis 2 weeks ago. So just over 4 months total time. Now our school is working on accommodation plan. She’s eligible for a 504 thru mcps but our private doesn’t call it the same thing.
I would go through your school system unless they’re not seeing what you’re seeing.

[Anonymous]

Our insurance sent us to KK and it was very detailed and great recommendations. I’m the same poster about having the school do it as well.

[Anonymous]

OP. Child is 5 (grade K) and we're in DCPS. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Out experience was that the public school's evaluation was not as specific as a private one. However, the public school needs to agree to "accept" a private evaluation, especially if information related to the need for additional services is demonstrated by the private evaluation.

[Anonymous]

School does a psycho-educational eval, not a neuro psych.

Start with the school one for sure, see how it goes. Does it give you enough information to support your kid? Then maybe you don't need an expensive one. Or maybe you still do but you'll have some basic info to start with.

[Anonymous]

What school does is not comparable, it's more limited in scope, and school based specialists don't have same credentials as a pediatric neuropsych practitioners, usually. Also school based staff have inherent conflict of interest - based on their conclusions school has to ration scarse public resources, so if something is subtle, it may not be included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What school does is not comparable, it's more limited in scope, and school based specialists don't have same credentials as a pediatric neuropsych practitioners, usually. Also school based staff have inherent conflict of interest - based on their conclusions school has to ration scarse public resources, so if something is subtle, it may not be included.

Our school eval was basically identical to the Children’s eval. I don’t think they did ADOS though. And disabilities are not “subtle” anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School does a psycho-educational eval, not a neuro psych.

Start with the school one for sure, see how it goes. Does it give you enough information to support your kid? Then maybe you don't need an expensive one. Or maybe you still do but you'll have some basic info to start with.

there’s no established difference between “psycho educational” and “neuropsych.” Our school and Children’s assessments largely overlapped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What school does is not comparable, it's more limited in scope, and school based specialists don't have same credentials as a pediatric neuropsych practitioners, usually. Also school based staff have inherent conflict of interest - based on their conclusions school has to ration scarse public resources, so if something is subtle, it may not be included.

Our school eval was basically identical to the Children’s eval. I don’t think they did ADOS though. And disabilities are not “subtle” anyway.

I guess you missed it when they have told you repeatedly that many disabilities are in fact invisible. Do you go yelling at people who park in the handicapped spots because they don't have a wheelchair or cane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What school does is not comparable, it's more limited in scope, and school based specialists don't have same credentials as a pediatric neuropsych practitioners, usually. Also school based staff have inherent conflict of interest - based on their conclusions school has to ration scarse public resources, so if something is subtle, it may not be included.

Our school eval was basically identical to the Children’s eval. I don’t think they did ADOS though. And disabilities are not “subtle” anyway.

Good for you. But my child had a documented gross motor and small motor delay (by a developmental pediatrician at childrens) and the school eval didn't mention either one. Lower elementary age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Child is 5 (grade K) and we're in DCPS. Thanks!

I’d definitely go for a thorough private including a full diagnostic eval, developmental assessment, speech and language, OT, PT, the works. Also hire an advocate, the first IEP is the most important.