
LIBERATED LITERACY
Adolescent excellence in literacy
After the Evaluation

What you will find on this page:
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Understanding the evaluator's report
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Commonly recommended accommodations and treatment options for dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD
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What to do if you don't agree with the school evaluation
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How to hold your child's school responsible
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Finding an advocate

Understanding the evaluator's report
You've gone through so much to get your child evaluated, and now you're reading the report and you have many questions. While most evaluators will explain their report to you in person, these glossaries will help you ask more informed questions. It will also help you hold your child's school accountable for implementing any strategies or accommodations recommended in the evaluator's report.
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Want to know more about the IEP and 504? Go to All About The IEP/504

Commonly recommended accommodations and treatment options
Dyslexia
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ADHD
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Medication alone is not the most effective treatment. Classroom accommodations and executive functioning coaching are equally as important.
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What to do if you don't agree with the school evaluation
Always remember that you know your child better than anyone else, so if you don't agree with any part of the school evaluation, you can do the following:
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Schedule a meeting with school administration and ask as many informed questions as you can to try to understand their perspective.
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Ask for another evaluation or a type of evaluation they did not provide. This is why it is so important to know the types of evaluations for each learning difference.
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Find an advocate who will attend meetings with you, help you formulate your questions, and ask for additional evaluations.
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Ask the school to pay for a private evaluation. In some cases, if you've already had a school evaluation that you disagree with, the school may be required, by law, to pay for a private evaluation. Read here for more, which includes a sample letter to request a private evaluation.

How to hold your child's school responsible
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Is your school refusing to accept the recommendations for accommodations from an outside evaluator?
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A school may claim that they do not have to accept the diagnosis or recommendations for accommodations provided by a private clinician. However, you still have the ability to convince them to accept everything an outside evaluator suggests. Much like the steps suggested in the previous section, you need to do the following:
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Do your best to understand the report (for more on understanding the IEP or 504 plan, go here.)
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Get an advocate to help you understand the report, prepare for a meeting with school administration, and help you understand your legal rights.
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Seek legal advice from a special education lawyer in your state
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Learn from the experience of parents who have gone through this process. Parent and Dyslexia Advocate, Winnifred A. Winston shares her experience and all she has learned in this episode of the Black and Dyslexic podcast.
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Finding an advocate
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Did you know there are advocates who specialize in supporting parents of children with special education needs? Advocates...
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attend IEP and other school meetings,
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help you prepare for the meetings
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can help you understand the evaluation report and recommendations
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can help you find legal support if necessary
Make a list of what you would like in an advocate because not all advocates have equal experience and knowledge with the specific educational needs of your child.
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Read this extensive guide for how to find an advocate.
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Learn more about when you may need an attorney, not just an advocate
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If you are in Ohio, here are a few resources that will help you find advocates and legal support
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The Ohio Dyslexia Committee is working on compiling a list of dyslexia screeners that meet the requirements of the dyslexia support law. Check this page for updates and more information on the work they are doing.
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