Post-Evaluation Guide for Parents

You’ve just gone through the evaluation process and had the feedback meeting. It’s a lot of information! I’m sure you are eager to move forward and take some actionable steps.

1. 1. First, how are you doing with all of the information? It’s really a lot. Families can experience a range of emotions, from relief, to grief, to guilt, to hope. Take some time to process your own response to the information. It is natural and normal for parents to want to jump into “what do we do to make it better?” but the “wow, this is a lot, and this is pretty hard” phase is important to spend some time in. Name how you’re feeling about the evaluation results and determine what support you need first. If you can do this, it will make the supports and interventions you put in place for your child more effective.

• • • • For more about why our thoughts and feelings as parents are important, read this: https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/monitoring-our-mental-health-as-parents/

• • • • Wolff Child Psychology offers post evaluation consultation services. Some families want extra time to process the information with a provider who is knowledgeable about the testing process and a range of diagnoses. Reach out if you feel like this would be a good next step for you.

1. 2. Feel like you’re in a good space to take action?

• • • • Research the diagnoses. Your understanding of the diagnoses and your comfort level with them will make a huge positive difference for your child. Here are some good places to start to learn more:
        • • ADHD
            • • https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/all-about-adhd/
              • https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/adhd-interventions/
              • https://www.understood.org/en/adhd
              • https://childmind.org/topics/adhd-attention-problems/
          • Autism Spectrum Disorder
            • • https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/what-is-autism/
              • https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/autism-diagnosis-now-what/
              • https://autisticadvocacy.org/
          • Dyslexia
            • • https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/learning-about-dyslexia/
              • https://www.understood.org/en/dyslexia
              • https://dyslexiaida.org/
      • Talk with your child or teen. In whatever language you feel confident in, tell your child about their evaluation results. For some guidance, check out these resources:
        • • • • https://www.wolffchildpsychology.com/should-i-tell-my-child-about-their-diagnosis/
              • https://explainingbrains.com/blog/
      • If educational accommodations were recommended, email the school’s IEP and/or 504 coordinator to get the process started.
        • • Here are two good resources on 504 plans and IEPs:
            • • https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans
              • https://www.additudemag.com/iep-vs-504-plan-idea-adhd-disability-education/

• • • • • • Here are some resources on common accommodations:
            • • https://www.understood.org/en/articles/classroom-accommodations-to-help-students-with-learning-and-thinking-differences

• • • • • • Here is a good how-to for requesting a 504 Plan:
            • • https://www.understood.org/en/articles/get-504-plan-for-your-child

• • • • • • Here are some resources for requesting an IEP:
            • • https://www.additudemag.com/parent-request-for-special-education-evaluation-for-adhd/
              • https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/developmental-disabilities/Pages/Individualized-Education-Program.aspx

• • • • • • Ask for referrals. If other services were recommended (therapy, occupational therapy, tutoring, etc.), ask for referrals. It can be hard to choose a provider or to know what to look for in a provider. Referrals can be a good place to start.