School psych eval vs private

[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.

And conversely some private providers have a conflict of interest in the other direction because they then recommend services through their own clinic, or refer for additional evaluation and services to somebody they're friendly with and vice versa (you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours). Let's not see this in black and white that all school evals are bad and all private providers are amazing and pure as the driven snow.

[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.

And conversely some private providers have a conflict of interest in the other direction because they then recommend services through their own clinic, or refer for additional evaluation and services to somebody they're friendly with and vice versa (you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours). Let's not see this in black and white that all school evals are bad and all private providers are amazing and pure as the driven snow.

School evals are not "bad" but they are limited in scope as any special ed person with emphasize.

[Anonymous]

I work in the schools. The private psych evals I see are not more extensive than school. I think school evals are way more comprehensive. Private evals also don’t include input from the school team, who has invaluable info to add about how the student is actually doing at school. School psych evals can do the testing and the parent rating scales.
I also see private evals frequently making recommendations for what should happen in the school setting, and the providers clearly have no idea or understanding of school model, Doe/LRE requirements, or laws. Of course the private providers think they are better and think they know best.

Private providers not accepting insurance is unethical and those providers have a conflict of interest (financial) with every single case. Remember you are their Customer And profit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

There is some overlap and some differences. First, a school psychoeducation evaluation will determine if your child is eligible for one of thirteen special education disability categories as defined in IDEA. A private eval will use DSM diagnoses. If your child has autism, the school evaluation may say they qualify for special education with an autism classification (IDEA doesn't break autism into levels). The classification isn't as specific as the DSM but directly links to school services. It is also possible that the school eval might say your child meets diagnostic criteria for autism, but not for an educational classification of autism (meaning they have autism, but it doesn't impede their access to the gen ed curriculum). The same goes for ADHD (OHI).

If you want school services, you will need a school psychoeducational assessment. If you have a private eval, you can provide it to the school and they will consider those results in their own evaluation. So: a private eval will provide you with more diagnostic details and provides treatment recommendations (but does not qualify your child for services), and a school eval determines if your child meets criteria for a disability and requires special education (and qualifies your child for school services).

If I were you, I would consent to the school evaluation and keep your waitlist spot of the neuropsych eval.

[Anonymous]

PP here - the only thing to consider is that many psychological tests cannot be administered more than once within a year. This is not necessary an issue, because there are numerous cognitive assessments to choose from. Just make sure you provide the school eval to the neuropsychologist so they know what has been administered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

That wasn’t the experience at our school. The school will not do as complete of an evaluation as private. Personally because I could pay, I didn’t wait for a place that accepted insurance. Loss of time and the difficulties not being properly accommodated and lack of appropriate services was a big price to pay. If I didn’t have the money I’d go with the school eval because it’s faster. I might supplement with an insurance covered eval but not all tests can be repeated unless there is a significant waiting period.

[Anonymous]

Also, if a private provider completes testing, another provider cannot administer the same test for an entire year. Be sure you are communicating, collaborating, and sharing reports.

[Anonymous]

A DCPS evaluation will have a cognitive test, academic achievement tests, and parent and teacher rating scales (for ADHD and/or autism, depending on concerns). It's not a terrible place to start if it can get you started with services, but it won't be anywhere near as thorough as an evaluation through someplace like CAAT. I don't know how Children's compares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

so subtle it cannot be detected by a psychologist administering normed tests? lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

did you get an OT evaluation from the school? we had an OT evaluation by an OT and the WISC etc by the school psychologist. We had gross motor done by an Early Stages PT earlier as well.

I have lots to complain about in terms of special ed, but testing isn’t one of them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in the schools. The private psych evals I see are not more extensive than school. I think school evals are way more comprehensive. Private evals also don’t include input from the school team, who has invaluable info to add about how the student is actually doing at school. School psych evals can do the testing and the parent rating scales.
I also see private evals frequently making recommendations for what should happen in the school setting, and the providers clearly have no idea or understanding of school model, Doe/LRE requirements, or laws. Of course the private providers think they are better and think they know best.

Private providers not accepting insurance is unethical and those providers have a conflict of interest (financial) with every single case. Remember you are their Customer And profit.

+100. Our school psychologist knew our DS already so he was able to note where the tests were not accurate due to fine motor/rigidity; and also was able to get DS to make more of an effort because they already had a rapport.

[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.

That's really offensive to well meaning professionals. They take an oath that covers ethics and I don't know anyone who would jeopardize their certification and licensure for a school district. As a school provider, I don't give a moment's thought to the school's resources because it simply isn't my problem and it goes against professional ethical requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

so subtle it cannot be detected by a psychologist administering normed tests? lol.

The two models are looking for entirely different things. Privately, the provider is looking for any area of weakness. In a school, they are looking for disability to consider qualification. You're not comparing apples to apples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

so subtle it cannot be detected by a psychologist administering normed tests? lol.

Yeah if they don't test for it they won't find it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in the schools. The private psych evals I see are not more extensive than school. I think school evals are way more comprehensive. Private evals also don’t include input from the school team, who has invaluable info to add about how the student is actually doing at school. School psych evals can do the testing and the parent rating scales.
I also see private evals frequently making recommendations for what should happen in the school setting, and the providers clearly have no idea or understanding of school model, Doe/LRE requirements, or laws. Of course the private providers think they are better and think they know best.

Private providers not accepting insurance is unethical and those providers have a conflict of interest (financial) with every single case. Remember you are their Customer And profit.

Having dealt with submitting claims to my insurance company and knowing friends who are physicians that do accept insurance, I absolutely understand why many providers do not take insurance.

Our entire healthcare system is profit driven, including providers that take insurance.

FWIW our private provider that doesn't take insurance did parent and teacher rating scales and a school observation.

So you are saying you know best, and the private providers think they know best. Do you see a pattern here?