How do you get a child evaluated for OT at school as part of his IEP ?

Question

he is havivg trouble writing , his teacher has noticed it also.

he has TS

Answer 1

Put your request in writing with the date and your signature and submit it to the school principal. Also send a copy to the Special ed director of the school system. That does not guarantee an OT evaluation and placement, but it does start the ball rolling. Something must happen within 90 days.

In NC a child cannot be served OT as a primary service. The student must have another placement category. Read over a copy of the parent's rights handbook for your state for further direction.

Answer 2

If an evaluation has not been done as part of his original assessment, or if things have gotten worse you can try sending a written request for the eval, or seeing if the teacher can request it, This sort of thing varies from place to place. If all else fails, insist there be an CSE held to approve an eval.

Answer 3

Write a letter to the district special ed director requesting it. Schools do not do testing to DIAGNOSE this, they ONLY do testing to see if child qualifies for help thru special ed for this problem.

This testing should show the extent of the problem and the person doing the testing should write recommendations for the school to do to help the child.

Answer 4

All you have to do as a parent is request an IEP meeting. As a parent, you are part of the IEP team. You can request a reevaluation in the area of Occupational Therapy. Your child may or may not qualify, but that can't be determined until the OT tests him, then the IEP team will reconvene to review the results of the test. The decision is a team decision and must be educationally relevant. If the teacher is a general education teacher, he/she will give their input, too. Best wishes.

Answer 5

If he already has an IEP then you just speak to the special education teacher and tell her you want to call an IEP meeting. At the meeting you present your request in writing for your child to be evaluated by the OT. In your request you state why you feel he needs this. It is nice if you have the support of the teacher. If they say no, they have to give you a reason and back it up with proof for example  they say he doesn't need it and then show you proof of how well he is doing. I don't know what the person above me is talking about because once you have an IEP, it can be changed and adjusted as needed, you don't need another IEP.

If they say no and you want to push the issue you can call for a due process hearing. If your child has an IEP they school is required to do all they can to give him a free appropriate education and if you feel he needs OT in order to receive that then he should get it. You should write something in your request like "in order for my son to get an appropriate education, he needs to be evaluated by the OT to determine if he is eligible for OT services" this comment will let them know that you know your rights and they will be less likely to fight you on it. Remember as a parent you are part of the PPT (planning and placement team). YOU can call a meeting anytime you feel there needs to be an adjustment or for any reason at all f you don't feel your child is making progress in an area.

My son sees the school OT once a week.

Answer 6

His teacher should follow up for an evaluation with the occupational therapist.  He has probably already been assessed, but they need to observe him again.  They can possibly give him and the teacher support in the classroom without another IEP, but if that does not work they should see assess him again and see him on a regular basis...typically 1 to 2 hours a month depending on his individual need.

If for some reason he does not qualify for OT at school you may want to seek private therapy for him; however, advocate for him if you feel he needs it.

Good luck to you!