? about requesting evaluation by district/keeping her in private school

thetwinkies&Vivi

DD1 is enrolled at a private preschool for now, but we are weighing options after speaking with her coordinator. She suggested contacting the public school district as there is concern of how well DD1 will do at school/how well the staff will implement her therapy there. I called the Special Needs office at our school district to ask about having DD1 evaluated,citing her new ASD diagnosis. The lady immediately mentioned they are swamped with school starting next week, which I understand. With DD1, just getting her diagnosis last week, I know we are at a disadvantage time wise. She said if we don't hear anything by November, call back. She said they only evaluate twice a month, so we are looking at the earliest having her enrolled in September, but more likely Oct/Nov. She said she would email over the forms we will need to have filled out now, and we should bring our out side Dx report when we have an appointment.

From the limited knowledge I have, DD1 must show need for educational support, just an ASD diagnosis doesn't guarantee anything. Being that she is high functioning for the most part (receiving OT for SPD, and ST for relapse with language), and that the bar is low for a 3 year old, it's possible she will not receive service via the public school district at this time, correct?

Should we be making a formal request for evaluation in writing to ensure the timeline is stuck to? 60 days for evaluation and 30 for placement, right?

The private school has agreed to 6 weeks of trial placement before enforcing their solid contract after that. Meaning, if we both (school, parents) agree it's not a good fit anytime during that period, we can leave with no penalty, after that the full year's tuition is due. Preschool begins next week. Given the time estimate by the public district, she could be out of her trial and us locked in at the private school before a public spot is offered, if it even is.

Words of advice? Anything I am missing?

thetwinkies&Vivi

You are absolutely the best, auntie. Thank you. I will be making the formal written request and consent tomorrow. I've also found a friend who is a teacher in the public school district and has a son who is HFA. She had to fight the district herself, even as an employee. Hopefully she will be a good local support person.