Questions You Might Want to Ask the Evaluator
How long does the evaluation take?
A comprehensive evaluation may take about five to six hours or
more. Very short evaluations (one to two hours) may be primarily
screening experiences and will not provide complete information.
What kind of information will be provided at the end
of the evaluation?
You should find out ability levels, achievement levels, types
of processing deficits, strengths, needs, types of instruction
that could be most effective and specific recommendations for
the classroom teacher, remediation (educational program) and the
family.
What is your level of training and experience?
The person(s) doing the evaluation should have experience and
training working with children, knowledge of the suspected problem
areas and experience using assessment instruments and explaining
the results.
What types of test will be used?
It is important to have more than an IQ test and a screening test
for achievement. The most important considerations are: all areas
are assessed, more than one test is used in the areas of deficit,
and the specific deficits are considered in selecting and/or interpreting
the intelligence measures.
How much does the evaluation cost?
Public school evaluations are done without cost to the family.
The cost of private evaluations varies considerably. It is important
to ask what is included in the fee and if classroom observation
is available.
Does the evaluation include some consideration of attention?
Although the actual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD/ADD) is usually made
by a physician, the psychoeducational evaluation can be helpful
in documenting the presence or absence of a problem with attention,
and its impact on the child's ability to learn.
Who provides information about my child for the evaluation?
It is important that the evaluator(s) have as much information
about the student as possible. Knowing exactly what kinds of problems
there are is important to interpret the results of the evaluation
and in making recommendations. Information should be collected
from school personnel, parents, physicians, or any other professional
who has contact with the student and/or knows the history of the
problem(s).
Who should get the evaluation report?
Parents are in control of who receives reports. The parent must
give permission for the report to be sent to the appropriate people.
It will be helpful for school personnel as well as professionals
who are or will be working with the student to receive copies
of reports.
What if I don't understand the report?
Whether the evaluation is done in the public school or privately,
it is the evaluator's job to make certain that the results are
understood. It is your responsibility to continue to ask for clarification.
It is important for the parent to have the evaluation report and
to understand the reasons for the recommendations in the report
prior to the PET Meeting.
How often should the student be evaluated?
Public schools typically reevaluate every three years. It is important
for you to keep up with the progress. You should keep copies of
all reports, scores, report cards, progress reports and some work
samples. This is helpful information for further evaluations,
giving history of the problem, and determining services for your
child.
What should/can I do if I disagree?
Parents and the classroom teacher should recognize the student
when the evaluators discuss the assessment results with you. When
the results don't describe the student accurately, the evaluator
is probably missing some valuable information. Additional and/or
different testing may be required.
