Is Your Child’s IEP Missing These Critical Evaluations?

If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or you’re in the process of trying to get one, you may already know how overwhelming it can feel. Parents often assume the school will test for everything their child needs, but here’s the truth:

👉 Schools usually only evaluate the area you specifically request.

That means your child could be missing out on crucial services and supports simply because no one asked for the right evaluations. And when your child has autism, ADHD, sensory needs, or developmental delays, those missing pieces can make all the difference.

The good news? You can request these evaluations, preferably in writing, and schools are legally required to respond.

Here’s what should be on your IEP evaluation checklist:

1. Speech and Language Evaluation

This should go far beyond checking if your child can pronounce words correctly. A thorough speech evaluation looks at:

Receptive language: how well your child understands words, directions, and concepts
Expressive language: how your child uses words and sentences to communicate
Social/pragmatic language: how your child uses language in interactions with others (for example, taking turns in conversation or asking for help)

For children with autism, ADHD, or language delays, this evaluation is essential to identify gaps that may not be obvious in everyday speech.

2. Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluation

If your child struggles with sensory processing, picky eating, food aversions, or fine motor skills (like writing, cutting, or using utensils), an OT evaluation is a must.

OT can provide:

Sensory regulation strategies (noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, sensory breaks)
Support for feeding difficulties and food variety
Handwriting and fine motor development supports

Too often, OT is overlooked, BUT it can transform a child’s ability to focus, learn, and participate in the classroom.

3. Psycho-Educational Evaluation

This type of evaluation looks at how your child learns — identifying both strengths and weaknesses. It can flag learning disabilities, attention challenges, or processing difficulties that impact academic success.

With the results, your child’s team can build supports like:

Small group instruction
Modified assignments
Additional time on tests
Academic interventions targeted to their needs

4. Behavioral or Social-Emotional Evaluation

Behavior is communication. If your child is having frequent meltdowns, shutdowns, or struggles with friendships, a behavioral or social-emotional evaluation can uncover what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Supports that may come out of this evaluation include:

One-on-one counseling with the school counselor
Small group “lunch bunch” social skills sessions
Coping strategies and emotional regulation supports

Don’t Forget: Classroom Accommodations

Beyond evaluations, accommodations make a huge difference in daily school life. Some common supports include:

Sensory breaks throughout the day
Visual schedules or reminders
Flexible seating (like wiggle stools or floor cushions)
Reduced workload or chunked assignments

These accommodations don’t change what your child is learning — they just make the environment more supportive so your child can actually access the curriculum.

Always Put Requests in Writing ✍️

This is the step so many parents miss. Verbal requests can be brushed aside, but written requests create a record. Schools are legally required to respond, and it puts you in the driver’s seat of your child’s education.

A simple email or letter can start the process:
“I am formally requesting a speech, OT, psycho-educational, and social-emotional evaluation for my child. Please respond with a timeline for when these evaluations will be conducted.”

Feeling Overwhelmed? You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Even with an evaluation checklist in hand, it’s easy to feel stuck: What exactly should I say in my request? What if the school pushes back? How do I make sure my child’s rights are respected?

That’s exactly why I created my FREE Advocacy Guide for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids: Know Your Rights.

This guide is designed to take you beyond just “knowing what to ask for,” it gives you the exact legal protections, scripts, and strategies you can use when schools resist or deny services.

Here’s what you’ll learn inside:
✅ Your child’s legal protections under IDEA, Section 504, and ADA
✅ Immediate rights when your child faces suspension, restraint, or isolation
✅ Red flags that signal your child’s rights are being violated
✅ Step-by-step escalation strategies when schools won’t listen
✅ Exact phrases that get results in IEP/504 meetings
✅ Emergency contacts and resources for when you need backup fast

Get FREE School Advocacy Guide for Parents

You don’t have to figure this out alone — and you don’t have to settle for schools that ignore your child’s needs. With the right knowledge and language, you can make sure your child gets the support and respect they deserve.

And if you’re ready for personalized, one-on-one help, I also offer parent coaching packages where I walk you step-by-step through the IEP process and give you individualized strategies for home and school.

Your child has rights. You have power. And this guide will help you use it. 💪