Questions to ask a Private Evaluator

It's a good idea to ask your evaluator the following questions.

Initial telephone call (secretary):

  1. When is their first available appointment?
  2. How much do you charge of an evaluation?
  3. Do they accept your insurance?
  4. Do they have a sliding scale?
  5. Will they accept state rate from the school for testing?
  6. Who will do the actually testing?


When talking with the evaluator on the telephone (before your initial apt.):

Have your child's school reports in front of you.
Formulate a description of your child issues.
Be prepared to tell the evaluator why you are seeking an evaluation.

  1. What testing does the evaluation include?
  2. Will they review the school evaluations and add to what you already know about your child?
  3. Will they highlight gaps in your child learning and help you document your child's educational progress or lack of progress?
  4. Are they knowledgeable about the disabilities and language used in state and Federal laws?
  5. How detail will their recommendation be? Will their recommendations include number of times/days for therapies/remediation?
  6. Will they recommend specific programs?
     
  7. What is the average length of their reports (at least 3 pages)?
  8. How much of that are the recommendations (at least 1 pages)?
  9. How long after the testing can you except your report (avg. 6-8 weeks)?
  10. Will they attend your Team meeting at school, is there an extra cost?
  11. Do they have a referring relationship with school district?  (is there a conflict of interest)?
  12. Have they done work for your school district or regional collaborative?
  13. Will they charge you extra, if your case goes to hearing?

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