An IEP supports students in school and can be an extremely helpful resource for those who need early intervention or special education services. Getting an IEP is a thorough process that ensures your child receives the support they need, and parents play an active role in it.
So, parents must know everything they can before the process starts. We created this guide to inform parents about what an IEP assessment is and what to expect from the process.
What Is an IEP Assessment?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) (sometimes also known as an Individualized Education Plan) assessment is the determination process to see if a child is eligible for special education-related services.
The right to an IEP is protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which governs the rights of children with disabilities.
In IEP assessments, parents, teachers, and medical and special education professionals work together to assess the child. If eligible, the team sets reasonable learning goals and provides services that ensure academic success.
An IEP assessment is not meant to be a judgment of your child or parenting.
What Are the IEP Eligibility Requirements?
For your child to be eligible, they must be three years old or older, attend public school, and need special education or related services due to a disability. Eligible conditions may include:
- ADHD or ADD
- Asthma
- Autism
- Deafness
- Deaf-blindness
- Diabetes
- Hearing impairment
- Heart conditions
- Intellectual disability
- Learning disability (e.g., dyslexia and developmental aphasia)
- Orthopedic impairment
- Serious emotional disturbance
- Speech or language impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment
Any health condition that affects a child’s ability to learn may qualify under IDEA.
11 Signs Your Child May Need an IEP Evaluation
You may notice your child struggling with a mix of the challenges below—which may mean they need an IEP evaluation.
1. Struggling with Reading, Math, or Writing
While general challenges with academic performance can be a sign that your child’s disability is affecting their ability to learn—trouble with math, reading, and writing specifically is very common.
2. Poor Grades Despite Best Efforts
Does your child put all their effort into school and still somehow have low grades? They study, they ask questions, they do their homework. They are doing everything right, yet there seems to be a disconnect with the results.
This can be a sign that current learning conditions aren’t working, and they need more support.
3. Emotional or Behavioral Outbursts
Okay, we know most kids don’t love school. However, if they hate school and will do anything to avoid it, there is a larger problem at work.
Your child could be having such an extreme reaction to school because of how it makes them feel. If they are constantly struggling in school, they could be feeling depressed, anxious, angry, and other negative emotions—leading to behavioral or emotional outbursts.
4. Struggling with Following Instructions
A significant portion of academics is listening and following directions. If your child struggles with focusing, comprehension, or completing tasks, they may need an IEP assessment.
5. Difficulties with Paying Attention
If your child has ADHD, autism, or general challenges with paying attention, they need an IEP evaluation.
Recommended: Tips for Your Student with ADHD
6. Delayed Speech and/or Language Development
Delayed speech or language development can affect your child’s ability to express themselves, follow instructions, read, write, interact with peers, and take part in classroom discussions. All of which will affect their education.
7. Coordination Issues
Coordination issues can range from difficulty holding a pencil to struggling with physical activities (catching a ball, running without tripping, etc.). Such challenges can make everyday learning tasks extremely difficult.
8. Not Connecting with Peers
Does it seem like your child can’t connect with others? If your child has an emotional condition or autism, that can contribute to social dynamics and affect their ability to enjoy school.
9. Sensory Processing Challenges
If your child is sensitive to certain stimuli—such as fabric types, loud noises, or bright lights—they can benefit from school accommodations. Limiting stimuli creates a calmer, more focused learning environment.
10. Teachers Bringing Up Concerns
Teachers spend hours with your child in the classroom. If your child’s teacher brings up concerns about their academic performance or suggests they need extra support, try to listen to them with an open mind.
11. Parent Intuition
You know your child best. If you feel something is wrong—something bigger than the usual ups and downs of childhood—trust your gut.
How to Request an IEP Assessment (Step-by-Step)
- Request an assessment: You will have to ask the school for an IEP evaluation. Your request should include the challenges your child has, if they have any official diagnoses, why you think an assessment is needed, and that you consent to the evaluation. The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers template IEP request letters.
- Wait for the school to respond to your request: The response may not come right away because the school wants to gather the right people for the assessment. However, the assessment should take place within 60 days of the request being sent. Longer wait times are a violation of federal law.
- Schedule the assessment: When all parties are ready, the assessment will be scheduled.
What Happens During the IEP Evaluation Process
1. Meet the Evaluation Team
Depending on your situation, either just you or both you and your child meet the evaluation team. The team will include your child’s teacher(s) and various medical professionals.
2. Assess Your Child’s Various Skills
The team will evaluate your child’s skills in:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Problem solving
- Following instructions
- Physical coordination
- Speech
- Social interaction
- Sensory procession
- Emotional regulation
3. Review Assessment Results
Once the evaluation process is finished, the team discusses the results with you and your child (depending on the situation). The results should explain where your child needs extra support and what their current strengths are.
The team (including you) will consider whether your child is eligible for the IEP. The team will not focus solely on academics but will also consider your child’s emotional, social, and behavioral needs. The whole team needs to agree before a final decision is made.
No matter the result, you should get a copy of the report.
4. Discuss What Support Needs to Be in Place
If your child is eligible for an IEP, the plan will be developed. The team will work together to discuss what support is needed and how to implement it. The plan should include:
- Current evaluation result
- Learning goals
- The services and support that will be used
- How often will these services be used
- Where the services will be used
- Who will provide those services
- How your child’s progress will be monitored
- How often communication will occur with you and the school
5. After Evaluation: Implementation and Annual Reevaluation
Once the plan is finalized, everything will be put in place. Your child will get the support they need, and the team will record their progress as agreed.
Your child’s IEP should be evaluated annually because a lot can change in a year. The evaluation may show that certain aspects of the IEP need to be changed. It’s a legal requirement of IEP implementation to review and revise the plan every 12 months.
What If Your Child Is NOT Found Eligible?
If your child is not eligible for an IEP, try not to panic. You have a few options:
- Request an independent evaluation and request the school pay for it.
- Look into other support options, such as tutors, a 504 plan, etc.
- Ask the evaluation team for suggestions.
- Contact a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), which helps parents with special education services.
- Ask for a mediation with the evaluation team.
- File a due process complaint if the law was not followed.
Your Rights as a Parent
As you go through the IEP assessment process, remember that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA), you have the right to:
- Have your child get an evaluation within 60 days of your request
- Have your child evaluated by the school for no cost
- Be a part of the entire assessment process
- Get all information regarding your child’s assessment costs
- Get a clear explanation of the assessment result
- Ensure no assessment happens without your consent
- Get a prior written notice before any changes to the IEP
- Get an independent education evaluation (IEE)
- A free appropriate public education (FAPE) for your child
Your Child Deserves a Quality Education
Having the right support can completely transform your child’s school experience for the better. While gaining an IEP can be overwhelming at first, you should have a team of people who want the best for your child to help you.
If you need outside input, contact Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic. We specialize in helping children with various neuropsychological conditions through noninvasive interventions.
Contact us today to schedule a neuropsychological assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an IEP evaluation take?
An IEP evaluation can take several hours to complete. The school has 60 days to complete the evaluation, so it may happen over several days or weeks.
Can I request an IEP evaluation without the school?
Yes, but only if the school has already given its evaluation and determined that your child isn’t eligible for an IEP.
What if the school refuses testing?
The school cannot legally refuse to evaluate your child for an IEP. If they attempt to do so, contact a lawyer immediately.
How do I know if the evaluation was thorough?
You’ll know the evaluation was thorough if multiple experts have given their opinions. Thorough evaluations should reveal a full picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Can my child lose their IEP later?
Yes, your child can lose their IEP later if it’s determined that they no longer need it. Plans and eligibility are reviewed every 12 months.
What’s the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
The difference between an IEP and a 504 plan is that an IEP is a customized education plan, while a 504 focuses on accommodations.
