My 7yr. old son has PDD-NOS. How can I have him placed in the right schools if he's always been homeschooled?

Question

My son's psych evaluation states that he needs to be in a school for PDD children. How can I cut through all the red tape?The Phila. school dist. says we need a recommendation from a public school. How would I acquire that as technically he has never attended a public school.

Answer 1

My question is: why is this diagnosis coming in the form of a psych evaluation, when PDD-NOS is a *neurological* disorder and can only be accurately diagnosed by a neurologist?  I mean, some people could argue that a Dr.'s a Dr. - but I'm willing to bet you wouldn't go to a gyno to treat a brain tumor.  Find a good Pediatric Neurologist in your area and have another evaluation done - you might be surprised at the results.

If you're intent on enrolling your child in PS, I would call the school district and ask them to SPECIFICALLY state what services they would provide for your child (get it in writing if you can).  I've talked to numerous parents who were promised daily therapies and assistance, then enrolled their kids and found that they got a whopping 60 minutes a week in "help".

Answer 2

I also live in PA, so I know a little about this.  A  district may accept a private evaluation by a certified school psychologist, so you could ask about that.  Otherwise, you should send the district where you live a request for evaluation.  They only have a limited number of days to complete it.  Hopefully, they will agree with the assessment, if that is what you want for your child.  The district will be paying for it, so they might not be as willing to agree to an outside placement.  But they might be accommodating, especially of they are not equipped to handle kids on the spectrum.

A few hours of time from an educational advocate up front might save you a lot of headaches down the road.

Good luck with the schooling.  My aspie son is in public school, and it can be very difficult.

Answer 3

I would try getting him evaluated by special education and see what they have to say first. That is the only advise I can offer. Most school districts have a special education department I would make some calls and see if they can suggest something.

Answer 4

This is for FireflyMOM (since I can't email or IM). Sorry, but your information is not correct. When I was in the process of having my son evaluated by a child neurologist, I was flat out told by the diagnostician at the school that a neurologist could not diagnose autism, because they base the diagnosis on behaviors. After the neurologist, we saw a developmental ped. AND a child psychologist.

Answer 5

The issue here is that to get put into a special program with it paid for by the state/school ditrict, the student has to be a public school student.  In order for him to be placed, he will have to be enrolled in school and go through the same process as any other student...being assesed by the school, having his level of needs determined and a placement and education plan developed.  It is extremely likely that he will iniitially be placed in  programs already in place in the public schools before they will agree to placement in a special program.  The laws for free and appropriate education are only applicible to children in the public schools..children who are in private schools and homeschooled are not covered by them.  To access the services of the public schools, your son must be enrolled in them.  There really is no other way.

PS...What many people do not know is that a school system does not have to accept testing or recommendations from psyhcologist, doctors or testing facilities outside of the school system to enroll a child in special ed services.  These reports may be used as reference for beginning the evaluation and placement program, but just getting a letter from a private practioner will not get the child into special ed services.  The schools will test and asses the child and then make a determination of eligability and need.  If you disagree with the results, you may request testing be done again by an independent professional, at the schools exspense, but you will generally be referred to one the district has a contract with...you can not choose your own.  This is part of the laws governing free and appropriate education..you can't skip this unfortunately and calls to the school board will most likely result in being told the same thing.  Add in that the majority of public schools do some form of testing on homeschoolers returning to class rooms (generally in math and reading) before placing them, regardless of being special needs or not.

Answer 6

Begin with a letter requesting an evaluation/assessment - write it to the principal of the local school and the head of special education at the school.  They MUST give you an evaluation within 60-90 days - then they will make recommendations...and your child should recieve services - even if they are home schooled.  Start with the letter - follow up with phone calls requesting the evaluation date - consult the local regional center for disabled children to get a social worker on your side and to get state and federal funding.

Take care - and keep on the district for their recommendation.

Answer 7

May I ask why you've decided to stop homeschooling?   There are a lot of us that homeschool our kids on the Autism Spectrum.  

I wouldn't dream of putting my son into the system no matter whether they 'specialized' or not.    I know that homeschooling isn't for everyone and that's okay.  I just want to let you know that homeschooling is still an option!   A good one actually.  :)

As for your school district I would be going to the higher ups and forcing the issue.   A letter from the psych. should be good enough.