IEP Review, Attendance and Development
It’s often beneficial for a neuropsychologist to attend school meetings to summarize neuropsychological testing results, share key insights with the school, and help develop individualized support plans. These meetings typically occur after testing, but can also be held for information gathering, ongoing management, or consultation purposes.
- Prepare and attend IEP meetings with the family
- Review the IEP and goals with the family
- Assist with progress monitoring and benchmarks
- Provide ongoing IEP monitoring
School Observations, Classroom Observations, Program Observations
School observations offer valuable insights into a child’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning within the classroom. This helps in developing targeted, individualized interventions to support learning and improve overall functioning. By observing in a natural setting, specific behaviors can be evaluated in detail, providing a clearer picture than behavioral rating scales, which can sometimes lack nuance.
Program observations are also offered, when needed, to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of a school-based program/classroom/placement.
Observations also help educators better understand how a child’s neurocognitive strengths and weaknesses impact their classroom performance. Unlike teachers, who must manage an entire class, an observer can focus solely on the child, providing undivided attention over time. Observational data often complement rating scales, offering a deeper understanding of the causes and functions of specific behaviors by assessing the events that precede and follow them.
Whether or not a school observation is necessary as part of a comprehensive evaluation is decided on a case-by-case basis. For some students, it is a crucial element, while for others, it may be less essential.
Navigating the Education System (SOS)
Schools conduct evaluations with varying levels of thoroughness, often limited by budgets, staffing, and available programs. Navigating this process can be overwhelming and confusing for parents, especially when schools provide limited information or unclear grading systems. Our team offers expert opinions on the completeness of school evaluations, ensuring that critical questions are addressed and testing is thorough enough. We also review the adequacy of recommendations and discuss next steps with parents, whether it’s supplementing the evaluation or pursuing a more comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, we provide personalized, ongoing support to help parents advocate for their child, understand available supports, and navigate the school system with confidence. By knowing the right questions to ask and understanding your rights, you can better partner with the school to ensure your child reaches their full potential. Common concerns:
- My child struggles, but the school says they’re fine. What should I do next?
- My bright child receives reading support every year but still falls behind. What now?
- The school says my child doesn’t need extra support. What do the test scores really mean?
- My child has an IEP, but are they getting what they need? What should I do next?
- The school says my child is making progress. How can I be sure? What should I ask?
- I have a meeting with my child’s teacher. What should I ask?