Where do I start looking for an assessment?

[Anonymous]

My son has been struggling with following instructions and doing schoolwork to completion. The head of school says he has self regulation and attentional issues. It's a private school and he's 9. Where do I even start to try to figure out what is going on? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the school suspects ADHD. Any academic or behavioral concerns?

If cost is not an issue, you can get a complete neuropsychological exam which will determine if he has ADHD or any learning disabilities. It can be a good way to learn how your child learns best.

[Anonymous]

If cost is an issue, the school district can do the evaluation. Google "private religious school special ed" for your jurisdiction. But understand it won't be as thorough as a private evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If cost is an issue, the school district can do the evaluation. Google "private religious school special ed" for your jurisdiction. But understand it won't be as thorough as a private evaluation.

So even if he's in a private school, the public school will do a referral?

[Anonymous]

OP there are a lot of recommendations on this forum for private psychologists who do neuropsychological evaluations.

Just type the term "neuropsychological" in the search box above and you will get a ton of recommendations.

Private is the bets route to go, but it will run between $3K-$4K, and these doctors do not accept insurance.

You can go the "free" route and have the testing done through your school district but in my opinion, with this you get what you pay for. The testing is not nearly as thorough and for montgomery county at least, the people doing the assessing are not PhD's, rather they have their Masters.

Basically if you can swing it, go private!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If cost is an issue, the school district can do the evaluation. Google "private religious school special ed" for your jurisdiction. But understand it won't be as thorough as a private evaluation.

So even if he's in a private school, the public school will do a referral?

Yes they have to do an evaluation for any child. But as someone mentioned above it will likely be pretty cursory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP there are a lot of recommendations on this forum for private psychologists who do neuropsychological evaluations.

Just type the term "neuropsychological" in the search box above and you will get a ton of recommendations.

Private is the bets route to go, but it will run between $3K-$4K, and these doctors do not accept insurance.

You can go the "free" route and have the testing done through your school district but in my opinion, with this you get what you pay for. The testing is not nearly as thorough and for montgomery county at least, the people doing the assessing are not PhD's, rather they have their Masters.

Basically if you can swing it, go private!

Children's Hospital and the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore also do neuropsychological assessments and are often covered by health insurance. But it can be a 3-6 month wait to get an appointment.

If you only suspect ADHD and dont want to explore anxiety or learning disabilities, you can see a psychologist for a more limited (less costly/less time intensive) evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If cost is an issue, the school district can do the evaluation. Google "private religious school special ed" for your jurisdiction. But understand it won't be as thorough as a private evaluation.

So even if he's in a private school, the public school will do a referral?

Yes they have to do an evaluation for any child. But as someone mentioned above it will likely be pretty cursory.

Well yes and no. They "have" to screen your kid, but that may not mean testing of any kind, e.g.,
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/special-education/programs-services/private-religious-schools.aspx

OP, you can self refer to start the IEP process. The school doesn't need to on your behalf. Wrights Law is a good resource/guide.

[Anonymous]

I recommend a place like Stixrud.

[Anonymous]

MCPS is responsible for screening if your child attends a private school in MOCO. If the private school is in DC or VA, MOCO is not the responsible jurisdiction regardless of state/county of residency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend a place like Stixrud.

They jumped the shark a couple of years ago.

Used to be the gold standard, that is no longer the case. Part of the reason for this is that many more very qualified doctors have come on the scene in the DC area so there are just more choices. The other factor is that the practice has lost its luster in general. I have never liked they have "psych associates" who do the first part of the testing, with the psychologist doing the second day. If you're paying $4K for testing, one would expect the psychologist to do all of it. Including the write up!