While some insurance covers educational, neurological and related testing, in most cases it does not. In addition, insurance companies typically allow only a handful of practitioners - the wait is often long and sometimes they might not be the evaluators of choice.

Also, while you can request an IEE from a district (an independent educational evaluation), be sure to familiarize yourself with federal and state laws and regulations. It may not be a simple as submitting your expenses. At the very least, you must allow the district to evaluate. If you disagree with their evaluation for any reason, in writing ask for an IEE. The district has the option to either grant the IEE or to fight your request via due process (special ed legal proceedings). Some states have guidelines on the maximum rate that the districts must pay. Most districts will have policies about the qualifications of the evaluations and procedures to submit the invoices. You want to be sure that you work within these parameters if you want reimbursement.

Often times the most expedient way to get the evaluation, diagnosis and recommendations is to pay for the evaluation yourself. In some circumstances the cost can be taken as a medical expense.

I agree that if the child has reading and writing problems, a speech and language evaluation and possibly an OT evaluation may be warranted in addition to the neuropychological evaluation.

Oh, You can request reimbursement for testing that you obtain. You can request all of the aforementioned tests from the Department of Ed, but DO YOUR OWN TESTING (as a second opinion). Always keep in mind, the Department of Ed will do whatever they can to discourage having to pay for any sevices whether your child needs it, or not...

Hi...If you have Medical Insurance- Get your own testing and bring the results before them. The Board of Ed will fight and ignore a diagnosis of Dyslexia if they do the testing, because it is not a Learning Disablity the Board of Ed recogonizes. I went through this and I fought them and WON!!!!!!!!! --- Get a CAPD & Extensive hearing Evaluation, A Speech and Language Evaluation, An OT Evaluation all at New York Eye & Ear and/or Beth Israel, A Neuropsychological Evaluation. (Dr. Rimma Danov- 718 921-1922) A complete extensive eye exam across the street from Bryant Park (manhattan) and after everything is done, get a complete Medical Exam and get familiar with the Dyslexic Association (call Diana Naples (212) 691-1930. Get an advocate, request an Impartial hearing for an appropriate school setting and placement of your child. Make sure the IEP contains the right diagnosis in order to get the right services. If you don't get what your child needs, FIGHT LIKE (you know what) to make sure you do get what your child deserves, an Education. Oh, READ up on the LAWS about a child with Learning disablities. (I gave you all NYC locations) If you live elsewhere, Do your research...Best of Luck, Whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP, OR GIVE IN. YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN AND WILL FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF YOUR CHILD!!!!!!!!

We realize all the information we're talking about can seem overwhelming. Before worrying about writing an IEP, please re-read my original response, and get your child evaluated. If you don't feel the school's results are thorough or accurate, you have the right to an IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation) which is basically a 2nd private opinion at the school's expense. Once you know exactly what your child's current levels of performance are, you can begin to address goals for his future.... Again, please also join the Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11554, where many other discussions cover these topics in greater detail.

healthy11 is correct. As a parent, I was the one who fashioned my child's IEP and presented it to the school. You must be your child's advocate. Research on line about IEPs and how to put it together. Make sure that the school administration is on board with the IEP.

In addition to accommodations, the school should be able to provide remediation via an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) so that your child actually improves his reading/spelling/writing issues, not just compensates or "works around" his weaknesses.

If your child attends a public school, request that your child undergo testing. As michellea stated, the public schools can only determine if your child requires special ed eligibility. Keep in mind that the schools are "conservative" in their evaluation and they try not to tag the child, although it could be a disservice to your child if he/she has any form of dyslexia. Your best bet is to search on the web site for experts/psychologists who can test for dyslexia. It can be financially overwhelming, however, it is for your child's future. This testing is necessary in order for you to advocate for your child's accommodations requirements. Your child is in 5th grade now so time is of the essence to have your child tested. Once you receive the results, you will file the test results with your school and your child is now legally entitled to have his/her school work fashioned to accommodate his/her level of dyslexia. Accommodations could be from giving your child extra time to finish tests to having an instructor assist your child within boundaries.

First - you need to talk to your sons pediatrician. Express your concerns and request a recommendation of a Dr. who diagnoses learning delays/issues. We have a well recommended Dr here in coconut creek but you have to pay her out of pocket and then get reimbursed by the insurance company.
Once you have a medical diagnosis, then you go to the school and inform them. Some schools have a reading coach (my sister in law is one) and that person works with the children to get their levels up. The school has a school psychologist and a team of "professionals" that then do their own testing (not all schools do this though). Once that has been accomplished, the school is then required to implement a program or new reading class for that student. usually in the form of a reading coach.
- Also do research on dyslexia and how to help your child at home. The more support the child has at school and at home, the better the child will be.

I have a seventh grade son that was diagnosed with SLD (specific learning disability) in reading and writing in Kindergarten. He has dyslexia, but as Healthy says, most schools will not use that word. It is best to request testing to help understand his difficulties in reading and writing and go from there!

So, how to do it? Under Federal special ed law called IDEA, schools MUST evaluate for LD if a parent makes a referral. If your child attends public school, I would start with a school evaluation. Keep in mind that schools evaluate with the purpose to determine special ed eligiblity - not to diagnose. So, at some point, you may want to get a private evaluation to get more information.

I always recommend starting with the school because they only have to "consider" private evaluations.

Hi. Your questions, unfortunately, don't have simple answers. What state do you live in? Unless it's Texas, most states don't recognize the term dyslexia, but they do refer to "SLD's in Reading" (Specific Learning Disabilities) When dealing with schools, it's a matter of using the same terminology they do.
Who tested your son to know he's currently at a 3rd grade reading level? Was the testing done as part of a comprehensive educational evaluation? If not, you need to formally request, in writing, that the public school does one. Sites like www.wrightslaw.com and www.concordspedpac.org have lots of information, sample request letters, etc.
Rather than go into more detail here, I encourage you to join and post in Greatschools Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11554, where you'll find plenty of other parents to guide you.