What Steps Occur When Your Child Is Referred for Evaluation

Referrals for a speech evaluation can come from a variety of sources. A few of these sources may include parent, teacher, speech pathologist, school psychologist, doctor, or student. Referrals may come as the result of a classroom screening or as the result of direct observations.

Once the referral is made, the following steps will occur:

• Parents will receive a notification letter, a permission form, and the "Whose IDEA Is This?" booklet.
• Parents need to return the permission form, stating whether or not permission is granted.
• The SLP will notify the parents of who will evaluate and what methods will be used.
• The evaluations will be completed and the SLP will collect information from other evaluators.
• The Evaluation Team will discuss the results and determine eligibility.
• An IEP (Individual Education Plan) is written to address the child's needs.
• An IEP meeting is held with all members of the team (including the parent(s) and student) during which the team explains evaluation results and eligibility for special education.

At the conclusion of the IEP meeting, all team members must sign the IEP in order for therapy to be initiated.