Questions to Ask Specialists Who Evaluate for Learning Disabilities

Hiring a private specialist to conduct a psychoeducational evaluation of your child is a big commitment of time, effort, and money. To find someone competent, ask other parents or school staff for their recommendations. You’ll probably want to interview more than one specialist before choosing the person who will work with your child. If you get a recommendation from someone outside the school, make sure the private evaluator has the qualifications and/or credentials your state or district requires.

Before hiring a specialist to conduct psychoeducational testing, you will want to interview her about her professional qualifications, procedures, and fees. The responses will allow you to screen a prospective specialist to see whether you feel comfortable with her, and to discover any potential “mismatches” with your child’s needs. The conversation can also help you prepare your child for the evaluation process.

You’ll be better prepared to interview an evaluation specialist if you have some background information on evaluation for special education eligibility and/or learning disabilities. The articles in the box below provide that information, and may also help you determine your specific expectations and goals for the evaluation.

Some Questions to Ask a Prospective Evaluation Specialist

• What are your credentials/training in educational testing?What experience have you had with testing students my child’s age?
• How long have you been doing evaluations? Are you familiar with evaluation practices/personnel at local public schools?
• What information will you want me to provide?
• Will you contact my child’s school for information and records? Will you interview school staff?
• Will you observe my child in the classroom?
• Will your final report integrate all of the individual tests done so that I have an overall picture of my child’s strengths and needs?

Review and Follow-Up Questions about the Evaluation Report

• Was the report of evaluation results clear? If not, was the evaluator able to answer all of my questions?
• Do I understand what the professional is recommending for my child based on the test results?
• What action should I now take? What’s my plan for getting several recommended actions completed?

Excerpted from “Questions to Ask Specialists Who Evaluate for Learning Disabilities” on LD Online. Read the full article to view the comprehensive list of interview and follow-up questions.

Source: LD Online | Questions to Ask Specialists Who Evaluate for Learning Disabilities, http://www.ldonline.org/article/32106 | ©2022 WETA

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