Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
IEE Authorized Provider in San Diego County
What is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
An Independent Educational Evaluation is the equivalent of getting a second opinion in regards to special education services. It’s a comprehensive, unbiased assessment completed by a qualified professional outside of your child’s school system.
This is a publicly funded service where the school district agrees to pay for an evaluation in response to a parent’s concerns and request for an outside opinion.
The team at Radiant Kids Therapy is able to complete evaluations focused on educationally relevant skills within speech, occupational, or physical therapy. Combining personalized attention and professional excellence, every IEE is thorough and provides clear recommendations tailored to how services are provided within school districts.
Reasons to Seek an IEE
This step is available if you have reservations about the outcome after your child went through the evaluation or Individualized Education Program (IEP) process at school. Under the regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request a separate assessment which is paid for by the school.
Reasons could include:
You believe your child should qualify for special education services but the school district disagrees.
You don’t agree with the recommendations outlined in the school’s report or IEP.
You’re concerned the evaluation completed by the school wasn’t thorough or unbiased.
You don’t feel like your child’s educational needs are adequately understood or addressed.
We provide a fresh perspective combined with expertise to guide parents and school staff to appropriate education solutions.
IEE for Speech Therapy
A speech therapy IEE looks at speech and language for your child’s educational needs.
An IEE for speech therapy might assess:
- Speech clarity
- Cognition
- Understanding of spoken language
- Ability to express needs and wants
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication AAC needs
- Social and pragmatic language and communication skills
- Speech fluency
- Functional communication
- And more!
IEE for Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist is able to complete an IEE which looks at skills that impact your child’s ability to learn or fully participate in the classroom.
IEE for OT might assess:
- Motor skills (e.g., fine motor, gross motor)
- Handwriting
- Sensory processing
- Self-regulation
- Daily living skills
- Classroom behavior
- Visual perceptual skills
- Focus and attention
- And more!
IEE for Physical Therapy
A physical therapy IEE will look at your child’s physical abilities related to academic and classroom participation.
IEE for physical therapy might assess:
- Gross motor skills
- Walking and gait
- Strength
- Endurance
- Playground safety
- Ability to get around the classroom or school
- Posture and core stability for sitting
- Wheelchair seating
- And more!
Why Choose Radiant Kids Therapy for your IEE?
Children always deserve great experiences. That’s why — whether we’re providing private therapy or contracted assessments — we’re uncompromising when it comes to taking the time to really listen and connect with each child and their family.
Many of our therapists have worked in school districts, among other settings (private practice, prestigious pediatric hospital settings and more). As a result, we have insider knowledge when it comes to the inner workings of the special education system and California eligibility criteria for special education services.
With a strong reputation for excellence, Radiant Kids Therapy is proud to be a recommended Independent Education Evaluation provider for a growing number of San Diego County School Districts.
Keep in mind: Parents have the right to request our services even if we’re not currently on your school district’s preferred provider list.
Understanding the IEE Process
Once we have confirmed authorization from your child’s school district, we’ll begin to gather the necessary information. This includes any recent or previous IEPs, reports, medical history, and information from caregivers.
Every situation is different, but our process is thorough from start to finish including detailed assessments at your preferred location of home or school (with school approval), observations, and interviews with you, the parents/caregivers, and your child’s teachers.
We’re able to dedicate the time and resources to a thorough evaluation and a complete report of findings and recommendations. Truly, our goal is to gather all the needed information, then offer recommendations based on the best interests of your child.
You’ll receive a comprehensive report that details all findings from our assessments and provides educationally relevant recommendations. This report will be shared with you and your child’s school system.
Our therapists are also typically able to be present at the subsequent IEP meeting to discuss the results of the evaluation with the IEP team and answer any questions. Our goal is to guide parents and educators with appropriate educational resources to meet the needs of your child.
