60 days before they can test my son.?

Question

The school said it is going to take the full 60 days before they can test my son for dyslexia. By then it will be almost summer and he will be heading in to the second grade. Are there any other options for me to get my son tested. Regardless if I have to pay I would just like it done sooner than what the school system is saying. Then I can create a plan of action and get him going in the right direction.

Answer 1

My daughter (who is severly dyslexic) was tested at the end of 2nd grade by a pediatric psychologist who specialized in the field of learning disabilities. Many health insurances will cover the cost. She went through 20 hours of testing that cost us nearly $2000.00 because our insurance did not cover it. It was worth every penny because we had a complete picture of her capabilities, difficulties and strengths. I totally recommend having your child tested outside the school, if at all possible. You will get a much more accurate diagnosis. I am also a teacher who has seen the testing that schools do. It is incomplete and no where near what we got by going outside the school.

The great news is you are catching any difficulties very early. In the meantime, there is software that will help him if you can afford a couple hundred extra dollars. There is a great program called "Soliloquy" which will really help him. Also, get him books on tape at the library and have him follow the words in the hardcover. Play memory games with him as often as possible.

I wish you luck. I know how frustrating waiting is when you want to help your child. Do not fear dyslexia.  I am convinced that dyslexia is our daughters greatest gift. She is now in upper middle school, an honors student and a great blessing in our lives. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I honestly don't think it will make a difference overall, trust me. My friend just got diagnosed with dyslexia and he is 19 and at uni with me! You would be surprised how quickly kids will catch up. I should think there will be a way to get him tested if you pay, but over here it costs over £250 pounds, and at the age your son is at I really don't think it is worth it. Ask the school if there is somewhere that will test him if you pay, or have a look on google and see what local dyslexia organisations there are near you, and give them a call and get their advice. Good luck.

Answer 3

A general rule of thumb (although things can vary from state to state a little)

Student has issues or parent indicates students have issues - discussion on issues - what interventions or support can be given to the student to assist in educational success?  Then they have to try them and document success.  If these interventions or accomodations were enough - great they are in place your child is doing better.

If they do not help - testing for special education catagory will begin - Dyslexia is NOT a special education catagory in any state that I am familiar with.  It is lumped in with Learning Disabilities.  In Learning disabilities your student needs to be behind peers to a certain degree.

If you want to test ONLY for Dyslexia - you will likely have to find an outside agency like the Orton-Gillingham Society.

Schools evaluation are typically all emcompasing as they should be and we never go in with a pre-concieved notiion as what category would work the best for a child.

Special Education is a big deal - most schools want to provide what students need to be successful within the regular education community.

Why do you think he is dyslexic?  Does he reverse some letters or numbers?  Some kids just do that and it's more related to maturity than a learning disibility.  

Hope some of this helps you.

Answer 4

You can go to a private psychologist, but it won't change any of the other dates.  I'm glad you are proactive.  Unfortunately, it won't speed up the process much.  There is a lot that the school will do on its end (vision and hearing screening, record reviews, educational testing, observations, teacher interviews, etc.)  that will occur before your son actually sits down with a school psychologist.  

A private psychologist will likely take several weeks to complete and cost into the low thousands.  It's just not the dyslexia testing.  It's also the IQ testing and other hand -eye coordination tests.  

Sorry it's just the norm.  The school has 90 days to test your son and have the results meeting according to federal law.  You may be asked to come in after school is out and create an IEP (plan) for next year.  

Nothing this year will change, regardless of testing dates.  There isn't enough time to get anything meaningful in place.

Sorry

Answer 5

Hi there. Schools cannot test specifically for Dyslexia. They can, however, test to determine if your child has a reading learning disability (Dyslexia is, however a learning disability!)  The 60 days is a time line set forth by law.  Have you tried asking them if they could expedite the process? The school staff may feel for you and do the testing sooner.

Good luck!

Answer 6

take your son to the hospital dont let the school evalutate him it is not going to be done correctly

Answer 7

Hey sissy, did you write this befoer I wrote back to you? Like I said, schools can NOT test for dyslexia.

As for testing for special education eligibility , most states DO require they be FINISHED within 60 days of your parent written consent and not START it in 60 days.

Some states are 45 days. If you would like me to check the days for your state just email me.

Schools can not do testing without parent written consent.

If you pay for testing yourself, this will do no good in making things go faster because children can not qualify for special ed unless and until schools do their own testing.

They will not use your testing alone to see what he needs for help.

You can however use the testing you pay for as part of the eligibity process to see if he does qualify for special ed.

If you request the testing now they are suppose to have it finished and hold eligiblity IEP meeting to say if he qualifies or not  no longer than by the end of April.

If they decide if he qualifies in this meeting, the services are to begin immediately and they can't wait until next year.

Answer 8

The schools do take a while to get through the process, but they generally are able to do it within the guidelines that are mandated by law. If you want to get him tested sooner, talk to your pediatrician to find out who in your area can do that. Most hospitals have a department that will do developmental testing. When you get the test results, bring them to the school and let them know that you want to start addressing it as soon as possible. If you're getting an IEP, it may not be final until the beginning of 2nd grade. But that doesn't mean you can't start doing something about it sooner. Good luck!

Answer 9

check the laws in your state. my state has 30 day time limits. If it's still not quick enough for you, it wasn't for me either, then take him to a private place to be tested.

Answer 10

try an educational pyschologist or independent Learnign Disabilities Teacher Consultant-not knowing where you are i can't suggest anything specific

try googling something dyslexia testing-learning disability testing-private IEP evaluators---and add your state abbreviation