Is Neuropsychological Testing Necessary for My Child to Get an IEP or 504 Plan at School?
If your child is struggling in school, you may be considering whether they can receive extra support through an IEP or 504 plan. First, let’s clarify the key differences between these two types of support for students with disabilities or learning differences.
What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Program. Federal special education law (IDEA) specifies the areas of disability under which students may be eligible for an IEP. Individual states have their own criteria for eligibility based on the federal law.
The purpose of an IEP is to provide specially designed instruction and supplementary aids and related services to students with disabilities so they can receive a free and appropriate education in a public school setting.
What is a 504 plan?
The term “504” comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in federally funded programs. In public schools, a 504 plan typically includes accommodations for students with disabilities that are necessary for them to participate in, or benefit from, public education.
Does my Child Need Neuropsychological Testing to Get an IEP or 504 Plan at School?
The short answer is no.
If you suspect that your child may have a disability, you can request an evaluation from their school to determine whether they are in need of special education services through an IEP or accommodations through a 504 plan. The evaluation is provided at no cost to you. Even if your child attends a private school, you can still request a free evaluation through your local public school district.
So why would parents seek neuropsychological testing if free evaluations are available through their public school system?
Diagnostic clarification
A school-based evaluation is intended to determine whether a student meets eligibility criteria for special education but does not provide a medical or clinical diagnosis. For example, a student who has significant difficulty with paying attention in class might be found eligible for special education services under the classification of Other Health Impairment, but the evaluation may not determine the underlying reasons the students has difficulty with paying attention (e.g., anxiety, ADHD, etc). In this situation, a family may seek neuropsychological testing to get more information about their child’s needs.
Additional reasons families may pursue neuropsychological testing is to understand more about their child’s areas of relative strength or difficulty and to inform mental health treatment.
Medical or clinical diagnosis to access services
To access some types of community-based services, a medical or clinical diagnosis is required. This is often the case for autism-specific services that are covered by health insurance plans.
Therefore, even if a child has been found eligible for special education services under the educational classification of autism, a clinical diagnostic evaluation, such as neuropsychological testing, may be required to access behavioral health services outside of school.
Independent evaluation
There may be situations in which a family disagrees with the outcome of a school-based evaluation and wants to obtain a private evaluation to further inform decisions related to special education eligibility. In specific situations, public school systems can be required to pay for an independent education evaluation.
Although neuropsychological testing is not required to access an IEP or 504 plan, there are situations in which families can find it helpful when seeking additional support for their child at school.
If you are looking for an evaluation in Madison, WI for possible ADHD, autism, or learning differences, such as dyslexia, check out my FAQ page and complete the Testing & Evaluation Request form linked below.