Private vs. school-based evaluations for special education

Understood Explains

What is a neuropsychologist? What can this specialist do that a school psychologist can’t? (The answer involves making diagnoses.) Listen as host Dr. Andy Kahn and fellow psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten explain why some families pay for private testing when school evaluations are free. Learn ways to help cover the cost, like asking the school to pay for an independent educational evaluation. And hear from parenting expert Amanda Morin about a tricky topic: what to say if your child is getting private testing after being evaluated by the school.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

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Related resources

• Private evaluations: What you need to know
• Pros and cons of private vs. school evaluations
• Neuropsychological evaluations: What you need to know
• Independent educational evaluations (IEEs): What you need to know
• Why different evaluations may have different results

How-to resources

• 13 questions to ask before hiring a private evaluator
• How to get a free or low-cost private evaluation for your child
• Download: Sample letters including how to request an IEE