In some situations, it can be helpful to get an outside evaluation from a doctor yourself in addition to the evaluations your local organizations provide.
Most evaluations are done by a small group of teachers and therapists. A doctor may or may not be part of the evaluation; however, they may be needed for a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, depending on the laws where you live.
In some circumstances, an outside medical evaluation can be very valuable. First, for a child on the autism spectrum, you have a diagnosis, and many doctors are also willing to write specifically how many hours and what types of interventions they feel would be most appropriate for the child.
In some circumstances, this can be very helpful at your IEP or IFSP meeting. Every region is a little different in how they do things, and each situation is unique as to whether this would be helpful or not.
Wrightslaw has a wonderful article "10 Tips How to Use IDEA 2004 to Improve Your Child's Special Education", by Wayne Steedman, which touches on many aspects of the IDEA 2004 changes, including how to pick a diagnostician that's qualified and choosing someone who your school district listens to. Read more...
- Sandra Sinclair
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