ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY
In order to have a child assessed, there are a number of things you can do as a parent before going through 16 weeks of intervention and 4 more weeks of evaluation by the Saint Paul Schools. Not every learning problem needs the same type of evaluation. Depending on family circumstances, and the frequency, severity, and type of issue your child is having, different approaches may be called for. You may want to explore some of the following suggestions.
1. If There is a Physical Component:
Begin with you doctor/hospital/clinic/insurance program. If a child is suspected of having a learning disability, a complete physical examination can rule out any health problems. If specific health problems are ruled out, you have other options for 'next sterps'. Many hospitals and clinics have a team approach. Your insurance may or may not cover the cost of physical tests, which includes testing for the neuerological condition Attention Deficit Disorder, but not the educational tests (although they can done through a hospital program ). There is sometimes a three to six months wait for this type of assessment, especially in the spring, but the reports are usually quite complete and very helpful.
2. If There is a Complicated Learning Issue:
The Learning Disabilities Association and Groves Learning Center both do an excellent job of educational assessment, usually written within a month. Both write excellent reports with helpful suggestions. However there are many other places that also provide very good, comprehernsive service. Prices range quite a bit, anywhere from $600.00 to $2,000.00. They can look for ADD, anxiety and depression, but all programs are not equipped to diagnose physical or psychological conditions. There are may good private psychologists who are qualified to give the WISC (intelligence) and Woodcock-Johnson (achievment) tests, which are what most school districts use. These private clinics are sometimes better options for perhaps less costly evaluations. Private agencies also offer the best options for giftedness assessments.
3. If There Are Significant Psychological, Emotional, or Behavioral Issues
Many large hospitals have very good programs. The Fairview University Medical Center has a developmental psychiatric clinic for children and adolescents with ties to University of Minnesota. Also, St.Paul Children's and United Hospitals have such clinics. The Wilder Foundation and Fraser Clinics also have highly regarded programs for children and families with such needs. These clinics address psychological needs as well as educational, behavioral and attentional ones. They also sometimes provide team systems in order to give a holistic approach to significant school issues. There are any number of private child psychologists who specialize in working with school age children with complicated educational/behavioral situations. Our school councelor or learning specialist can provide you with a resource list.
4. If You Have More Time and Less Money and There Is a Significant Learning Issue:
As taxpayers you have the right to request educational testing through your local school district (for Saint Bernard's that generally means the Saint Paul Public Schools, but for some students it is the school district in which they live) The primary purpose of such an assessment is to find out whether or not your child qualifies for some sort of service due to the exsistence of a disability. There must be significant evidence of a learning issue. The process can be lengthy and complex. If you live beyond the boundaries of the Saint Paul Public Schools your local public school district may ask that the Saint Paul district do the assessment. Minnesota law states that student assessments be paid for by the district in which the private school student attends, and that the local district where the student lives pays for the actual services.
Whatever your questions or concerns, please keep in close contact with your child's classroom teacher and Saint Bernard's learning specialist. Good communication can be key when dealing with learning issues that need strong partnerships between school and home in order to be effectively addressed.
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