Learning disability diagnosis FCPS

[Anonymous]

Can someone please help me. DC has an IEP. There has never been a diagnosis or dyslexia or dysgraphia but that’s what I suspect. Why are FCPS not able to make a diagnosis and put it on paper?

[Anonymous]

They don't test for those - you have to do it privately. Or, if the school has evaluated and you feel like the evaluation did not catch or cover everything, you can request an Independent Educational Evaluation. FCPS will pay (to a certain amount) to have a private evaluation done. You can go to your own tester (you pay and get reimbursed) or choose one that is on the FCPS list (FCPS pays directly).

We just went through this and requested an IEE. The evaluation came back with dyslexia and dysgraphia, so we got that evaluation to FCPS for repayment and to the school and we will have an IEP meeting to regroup in the upcoming weeks.

My recommendation is not to rely on FCPS or the teachers. Most teachers are just not equipped to identify dyslexia, even if they were allowed to do so. Our school won't even let teachers tell you they suspect a problem.

Find a tester you like and have your child tested. It will cost $4000+, but it will be worth it because you will get ALL the info you need including recommendations for your IEP. We used https://www.pascualvaca.com/ and they were fabulous.

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much. This is very helpful info.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP, but also, don't rely on the school to actually provide meaningful reading or math instruction even with a diagnosis. You may get some services at school but they won't be enough. Focus on finding private tutoring or a specialized private school - the earlier the better.

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier and agree with the private tutoring/private school rec. We have been working with a private tutor for several years and truly the progress our son has made is because of the tutor. We're now looking to move to a private specialized school because it is clear our public elementary school cannot teach our child effectively. We should have done the private school switch so much sooner than this, so honestly, get the private testing then find a private tutor who is trained in Orton Gillingham methods ASAP. If you can afford the private specialized school, get into that ASAP. I can tell you I have lost all trust in FCPS and it is sad.

[Anonymous]

Schools use IDEA categories, which includes the term Specific Learning Disability (SLD) rather than dyslexia or dysgraphia. The DSM uses specific learning disorder (SLD), also in place of dyslexia or dysgraphia. While both dyslexia and dysgraphia are common terms used by parents and professionals, it does nor correspond to official diagnostic terminology. When private providers diagnose dyslexia, they are using that term because that is what people are familiar with, not because it is the official diagnostic term. What is your child's special ed classification? SLD in reading is synonymous with dyslexia, SLD in writing is synonymous with dysgraphia, and SLD in math is synonymous with dyscalculia.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. What is DSM? Does anyone have feedback on Siena School in Oakton?

[Anonymous]

The school system does not diagnose children with anything officially. That is the role of medical or psychological professionals. Schools will assess children and provide recommendations for placement and accommodations. The results of testing can point to one condition or another, but only address the school setting, as opposed to all areas of a child's development. The needs drive the placement and services, not the diagnosis or other labels.

[Anonymous]

DSM is the diagnostic and statistical manual - the official book of psych and neuro diagnoses.

This is semantics, to some extent, especially for learning disabilities. School psychologists "identify" students with specific learning disabilities. A private psychologist "diagnoses" specific learning disabilities. For learning disabilities, which are not covered by insurance for anything typically, this difference doesn't really matter. For other things, such as autism and ADHD, a school identification of ASD or OHI is different than a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD. IMO, it is definitely helpful to have a private diagnosis for everything other than learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

IEEs are the way!