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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Where do you go to get a neuropsych exam done?

The school has been useless.  When I talked to the gifted resources counselor, she was not allowed to refer me to a private evaluator, and the only thing they could do for me is put her through the county process of being evaluated to receive gifted services in the school system, which isn't exactly what I'm after.[/quote]

You may feel that the school is being "useless," but school is a highly bureaucratized process.  You need to know the magic words to use.  Are you only concerned that your DC is not being challenged enough and you want him/her placed in a higher class or given access to more challenging materials? Then the "county process of being evaluated to receive gifted services in the school system" is all there is to offer you.

Are you concerned that your DC is gifted but has some other issue (like ADD, learning disability, speech/language issue, health issue, emotional or anxiety issues, etc.) that is preventing your DC from accessing the curriculum, demonstrating their skills fully or benefitting from the curriculum or is demonstrating a level of achievement that is significantly below what you suspect is your DC's ability?  Then you want to ask for an IEP (if you think "specialized instruction" is necessary to remedy the situation) or a 504 plan (if you think that no specialized instruction is necessary but that your child needs some "accommodations").

If you think either a 504 or IEP is necessary, my advice is to write a letter and ask for an IEP.  In your letter you will have to say that you suspect three things (1) disability, 2) adverse educational impact and 3) need for specialized instruction.  Children do not have to be receiving "failing grades" or be "behind grade level" to receive an IEP.  You just have to show that the disability is having an adverse educational impact and that special instruction is needed.

Why do I suggest an IEP?  Because the IEP process offers greater legal protections as to timeline and obligation to evaluate, and who participates.  In most school systems if the school refuses to grant an IEP, then a 504 can be considered in the alternative at the same meeting.  However, if a 504 meeting is first held and the school (or parent) thinks an IEP is necessary, then the school might have to schedule a new meeting (which they can take another 30 days to do) because IEPs require the participation of certain school personnel on the IEP team.  [/quote]

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