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

[Anonymous]

Years ago our private school said we must go through our insurance or pay privately for more testing. We've done only the initial ADHD tests at this point.

Our child's grades were good and behavior was too so school said MCPS would not help us.

It's now over a year later and grades and behavior are no longer very good. I'm sure the teacher would agree that intervention is needed.

We are doing neuro psych testing soon but they said all of the educational aspects are left to the schools and they won't do that part (through insurance anyway).

How can I talk to my child's private school about getting more help from MCPS? What exactly would they be testing for?

(One reason why I want to see what MCPS has to say is that we might have to move our child to public school soon. Private school has no services that he needs.)

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

OP contact this office and then send something in writing to them stating that you want to have your child evaluated for learning and behavior problems due to a suspected disability.

You do not need to go through your private school to contact this office and get the process started.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/special-education/programs-services/private-religious-schools.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP contact this office and then send something in writing to them stating that you want to have your child evaluated for learning and behavior problems due to a suspected disability.

You do not need to go through your private school to contact this office and get the process started.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/special-education/programs-services/private-religious-schools.aspx

THANK YOU!!
I will do so.

[Anonymous]

MCPS has psychologists who do not have the credentials or time that private psych have. They will not do a full neuropsychological evaluation on your child, which is what he needs, for a complete picture of his cognitive functioning and where his strengths and weaknesses are. A neuropsych will also tease out if there are other learning disabilities, or whether they is giftedness. Private psychs will also write up a long report laying out everything you need to know.

And lastly, but most importantly, do you really want an evaluation by the institution that will also decide on your child's placement, service and accommodations??? That's a HUGE conflict of interest.

[Anonymous]

What is your ultimate goal? A diagnosis? Service?

[Anonymous]

MCPS is also biased against providing services which are costly to them.

[Anonymous]

Who is doing the neuropsych testing? I'm not sure what you mean by the educational aspects being left to the schools. Our neuropsych testing included everything, so maybe this is different. But ADHD is a medical diagnosis and something like dyslexia is not, so it doesn't make sense to me that that part of the testing would be left to MCPS to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is doing the neuropsych testing? I'm not sure what you mean by the educational aspects being left to the schools. Our neuropsych testing included everything, so maybe this is different. But ADHD is a medical diagnosis and something like dyslexia is not, so it doesn't make sense to me that that part of the testing would be left to MCPS to do.

I agree with all of this.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP contact this office and then send something in writing to them stating that you want to have your child evaluated for learning and behavior problems due to a suspected disability.

You do not need to go through your private school to contact this office and get the process started.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/special-education/programs-services/private-religious-schools.aspx

THANK YOU!!
I will do so.

This is right. Be a bit more specific in your letter and in addition to asking for evaluation due to suspicion if disability due to learning and behavioural provlems, also explicitly state that you are asking for an IEP to address these issues. This gets the IEP process started rather than the 504 process. The former has a more specific structure, requirements and protections under the law. If you are evaluated and declined for an IEP, the IEP team can move right into considering a 504 plan, but that can't happen vice-versa because certain people are required for an IEP meeting who are not tequired in a 504 meeting.

[Anonymous]

Op you need to be sure you aren't starting a clock that you are not ready to have run. I am with the other PPs whose neuropsych testing includes all of what the school would do. And while we could have opted only for the psychoeducational part (which is what the school does), you cannot get the other parts separately. So you may not understand what you've already arranged.

If you proceed with MCPS you run three immediate risks. One that tests can't be don't by your neuropsych because they can't be repeated without a long break. Second that you get conflicting testing results and you have to fight for your to be accepted. Third is that you start a clock running and your neuropsych results won't be available.

You should learn more about this before you start maki g calls and asking for things.

[Anonymous]

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)”

[Anonymous]

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.