Why Do Outside / Independent Evaluations:

Independent Assessments can provide a more detailed, non-biased review of a child with autism. Many parents find value in obtaining outside independent assessments over what is provided by regional center and or school district personnel who are directly responsible for providing services to their child.

Often assessments done by the party financially responsible in fulfilling the child’s needs can be lacking in detail or objectivity. It is important to note that this is not always the case for every child, every evaluation. In addition, case load for public agencies versus non-public agencies can vary and details can be lost.

Parents who wish to obtain independent assessments from non-public agencies (NPA) can request these from their school district or regional center or acquire these on their own. In addition, parents must make their child available for assessments from the school district or regional center if they are the responsible party for providing services.

Non public agencies are typically credentialed professionals and have expertise with autism spectrum disorders. These NPA’s typically will review the child’s detailed history, previous assessments and performing their own testing, do school site visits, sometime home observations, and will make final recommendations. Typically assessments and testing are followed by a detailed written report of their findings and recommendations unique to the child’s needs.

If parents do not agree with the program recommended or provided by your regional center or school district – or – you wish to obtain a more individualized program such as an in home program, it is recommended in obtaining an INDEPENDENT outside evaluations on your child to indicate what would be appropriate for necessary education. These assessments can dictate the need for certain services that uniquely address the child’s needs.

Outside evaluations may or MAY NOT be covered for reimbursement from regional center, school district or health insurance company.  It is good to ask the resources prior to ordering an outside evaluation about reimbursement possibilities.  I find outside evaluations key to understanding;

• What your childs strength / deficits are
• What goals would be appropriate for your child over the next year
• And when done on an annual basis – how far your child has come over the past year

Many families look at independent assessment for the following reasons:

1. You have a school district / regional center NOT providing the services they should be providing or there is a disagreement in the level of services currently provided.
2. Progress is not happening with the current program.
3. Parents want to have an outside assessment and testing above the existing services team to compare findings to ensure program offering.
4. There is a disparity between goals, objectives and what goals & objectives have been met (sometimes across multiple environments such as what a child can do at home and in school.)
5. The child has great difficulty in making progress and needs some specialized attention from a number of professionals (such as child neuropsychologist, behavioral specialist, speech pathologist, occupational therapists, etc.)

Obtaining Outside Independent Assessments can provide a detailed view into a child affect by autism and their world. These report results are not just rows and columns of data but rather a recipe card for what the unique needs of the child require to make progress with solid recommendations based on a professionals opinion.

For many families like mine, I have budgeted about $4,000 a year for annual testing. The final reports have been a great asset for my family in determining the needs of my child.

Some potential professionals to consider and approximate pricing can be:

Professional Type	Approximate First Time Fee	Approximate Annual Fee
Child Neuropsychologist or developmental specialist	$2,000 - $5,000	$1,000- $2,000
Speech pathologist	$500-$1,000	$500-$1,000
Occupational therapist	$500-$1,000	$500-$1,000
Behavioral assessment (typically by an ABA provider)	$1,000-$3,000	$500-$1,000

Please note: pricing may vary by geographic area and professionals credentials.

ASSESSMENT NOTES:

1. The final assessments and reports were crucial for succeeding in fair hearing. And even with a contested IEP with our school district.
2. Health Insurance will sometimes cover outside independent assessments. Parents need to check with their health insurance provider prior to scheduling an assessment. PPO coverages are more likely to cover these assessments over an HMO. It is important to obtain authorization prior to service commencement! With out prior authorization there are no guarantees for reimbursement.
3. The final assessments and reports have been an invaluable tool in challenging our current team, identifying our son’s strengths in building up his deficits. These final reports also provided important mile markers as to our son’s progress over the years.
4. See list of TACA parent recommended providers.
5. Many providers may have wait lists for therapy and services but can schedule evaluations and testing without a wait list. Be sure to ask about assessments versus providing long term services.
6. A handy web site has most of THE STANDARDIZED TESTS done on special needs kids including children with autism. You can obtain a list of the assessments and testing to be performed and review these testing guidelines with each professional reviewing your child's case. This website can show you what these professionals will test and the goals of each test. http://www.stoeltingco.com/tests/store/viewlevel1.asp
7. Each evaluation should include: testing, full report and parent conference to review the results.
8. When parents and funding resources (such as regional center or school districts) do not agree on assessment reports, goals & objectives and placement for a child the parents can request for a paid outside independent assessment. It is best to make any request for outside independent assessments in writing. Because outside independent assessments are requested in writing is not a guarantee these will be paid for by funding resources (such as regional center or school districts.) But by law, parents can request assessments to be completed when there is a conflict.
9. If there is a major disagreement including who pays for outside independent assessments parents may wish to consult with a special education attorney or advocate on their childs rights and next step planning.
10. If an assessment and report will be used to define required services they need to be provided prior to any official meeting with the school district or regional center. It is important to give them time to review it prior to any scheduled meeting.
11. If the assessments are not going to be used to define services and are acquired and paid for by parents these reports are not required for any official meetings.