How to get MCPS to test ADHD for child in private school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you called MCPS to see what they say? It's not up to your private school to deal with MCPS. I know when we looked into it (a few years ago so things have probably changed) MCPS would provide services but during the school day at our home school. That was not practical for us because DCs school was in DC.

Frankly I'd get the full testing done privately rather than rely on MCPS.

Public school does testing when a child can't "access the curriculum." Good or bad grades really aren't the issue.

You need to contact your local public school and put the request in writing to even start the process, but suspecting ADHD isn't enough reason for them to evaluate your kid.

This is wrong.

No, it is completely correct:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/elig.add.grades.htm

“A child with a disability is not automatically eligible for special education and related services under IDEA. The key phrase is "who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services."

Does the child's disability adversely affect educational performance? To be eligible for a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) under the IDEA, the child must have a disability and must need special education and related services. (see pages 20-21 in Wrightslaw: Special Education Law)”

The OP is seeking an evaluation right now. Not necessarily services or special education. She has a right to ask this of her county and they must do SOMETHING, but she doesn't have the right to dictate exactly what kind of evaluation her county will do.

Honey, the only reason they evaluate is to assess if a kid needs services. That’s what the law is for. They don’t test just because the parent suspects adhd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you called MCPS to see what they say? It's not up to your private school to deal with MCPS. I know when we looked into it (a few years ago so things have probably changed) MCPS would provide services but during the school day at our home school. That was not practical for us because DCs school was in DC.

Frankly I'd get the full testing done privately rather than rely on MCPS.

Public school does testing when a child can't "access the curriculum." Good or bad grades really aren't the issue.

You need to contact your local public school and put the request in writing to even start the process, but suspecting ADHD isn't enough reason for them to evaluate your kid.

This is wrong.

No, it is completely correct:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/elig.add.grades.htm

“A child with a disability is not automatically eligible for special education and related services under IDEA. The key phrase is "who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services."

Does the child's disability adversely affect educational performance? To be eligible for a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) under the IDEA, the child must have a disability and must need special education and related services. (see pages 20-21 in Wrightslaw: Special Education Law)”

The OP is seeking an evaluation right now. Not necessarily services or special education. She has a right to ask this of her county and they must do SOMETHING, but she doesn't have the right to dictate exactly what kind of evaluation her county will do.

They are required to hold a screening meeting. That's it. If the IEP team does not suspect an educational (key word) disability, they can refuse to test. If OP disagrees with that, she can file for due process, but the screening meeting is the only obligation. It's not like a re-eval for a student who has already qualified for special ed where they have to test if you ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are required to hold a screening meeting. That's it. If the IEP team does not suspect an educational (key word) disability, they can refuse to test. If OP disagrees with that, she can file for due process, but the screening meeting is the only obligation. It's not like a re-eval for a student who has already qualified for special ed where they have to test if you ask.

NP here. From what I know of the process, this sounds right. OP, do your research on how to prepare for a screening meeting. When you request one, the school has 30 days to respond. They will use the 30 days to do classroom observations and you might want to do the same. The current teacher will be asked to give input. The goal of a screening meeting is to determine whether a disability is suspected, which impacts the students access to the curriculum.