Should I have my child assessed for an IEP first or medical diagnosis first?

When a school determines that a child is eligible for an IEP, it is not the same as having a medical diagnosis, so you may wonder if it's better to get one before the other.

School assessments and doctor evaluations often use the same tests, and you don't want evaluations to be repeated. It is typically easiest to focus on one at a time. What’s the main goal? Getting school support in place or getting a diagnosis? There are benefits to both.

Some parents choose to complete the IEP process first. Tell the school all areas of concern, which then becomes an area of suspected disability, and the school should test in that area. Then, parents can take the school's assessments to a pediatric neurologist to get a medical diagnosis if desired. In this situation, the doctor doesn't have to do the rating scales again because they’d just been done. You can also ask for school assessments first and then request an IEE if they are not thorough.

Sometimes, getting the medical diagnosis first can help get the school supports, especially if you are concerned that your child might not qualify for an IEP but you can get a 504 plan with medical reports.