IEP IEE question

[Anonymous]

If the evaluator asked me to pay him in addition to what the school paid him, and then also wrote me a letter saying he requires me to have my son do therapy with him before the IEE evaluation/testing and continuing on after it is over (as in, for months or years to come) all at my expense,.. is that ok? Or is that not “independent”?

[Anonymous]

That does not sound either independent or ethical!

[Anonymous]

Uh, hard no. He actually put this request in writing? Have you told the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh, hard no. He actually put this request in writing? Have you told the school?

Yes, he sent a letter.
No, I haven’t told anyone yet because I didn’t know if it was normal.

Husband is a fed and says maybe “independent” just means not a school employee and this is ok? It feels off to me though, like soliciting business, and I worry that there’s an unspoken layer of how the IEE will look if we don’t give this evaluator money now.

[Anonymous]

how were you referred to him?

An IEE means you get to choose the evaluator. The school may provide you with a list of evaluators but you absolutely do not have to use anyone connected with or suggested by the school.

The school may have criteria - such as being a licensed psychologist in the state (or DMV).

What state & scholl district are you in?

[Anonymous]

We just agreed with the advocate’s choice. She chose him from the list that the school sent us.

Is this actually ok? Or is it not “independent” after all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just agreed with the advocate’s choice. She chose him from the list that the school sent us.

Is this actually ok? Or is it not “independent” after all?

It's still independent because it doesn't involve the school. But it's not at all ok. Choose someone else -- you aren't limited to the people on the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just agreed with the advocate’s choice. She chose him from the list that the school sent us.

Is this actually ok? Or is it not “independent” after all?

It’s independent. But it’s going to be expensive for you if you agree. I would choose someone else and I’d seriously question continuing with that advocate. Even if the advocate didn’t know of this requirement, they should have.

[Anonymous]

No no no.

[Anonymous]

Sounds totally unethical to me. I would let the advocate know.

[Anonymous]

File a professional complaint.

[Anonymous]

This is between you and the evaluator. Choose someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just agreed with the advocate’s choice. She chose him from the list that the school sent us.

Is this actually ok? Or is it not “independent” after all?

I would not choose a person on the school's list. What is he charging for the evaluation itself?

It is highly unethical that the evaluator is insisting that you commit to paying for additional therapy before and after the evaluation and requiring an additional payment from you for the assessment in addition to what the school is paying for the assessment.

The entire idea of an IEE, is that you get a complete assessment of your child for free. You are not supposed to have to pay extra.

I would engage with the assessor enough so that you have documentation of the exact dollar amount he is charging for the assessment and how much of that he expects you to pay and how much he expects to receive from the school and how many hours/total cost he is asking for for meetings or therapy prior to the assessment and post assessment. Document all this info by written emails or tape phone calls if you are in a one party recording state. You want to keep these records so if you choose an assessor NOT on the list and the school district subsequently complains about a higher cost than they pay to listed people, you have evidence as to the true cost of the listed assessor and the unethical demands. You don't need a reason to go off list, but that documentary evidence would provide strong justification for doing so.

Then I would go back to the advocate and simply asked why she picked this person off the list all versus someone else. Listen to her explanation and follow up by asking her specifically if it's possible to use an off list assessor, and if so, what is the process for that. Listen again carefully.

By law, the school district cannot restrict you to their list of assessors only - that is not considered an IEE. You have a right to an assessment by someone of your own choosing as long as that person meets the general qualifications set forth by the school district.

Aside from the problem of the assessor, I don't think it reflects well on the advocate that she recommended someone on the school district's list. And, there are legal aspects to an IEE. You might wish to consult a lawyer in your area to be sure that you get your IEE.

[Anonymous]

This is so unethical. This is also funded by tax pay or dollars. Please consider.