What if my child's IEP doesn't include a service that I feel they need?

Related services in an IEP can include occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and many others based on the needs of the child. Areas of need are determined based on assessments.

If an assessment was done within the last year and you disagree with its results — for example, the assessment showed that your child doesn't need a service, but you feel they do — then you can ask for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). If there was not an assessment done in the past year, start the process by requesting evaluation in writing for that area of need. After the report has been presented at the IEP meeting, and you disagree with the results, you can request an IEE. There's no need to be specific in the request; you can give a general answer, e.g. "This doesn’t match what I have been seeing." If the reasons get too specific, you might give the school grounds to deny your request for an IEE.

If team asks broadly, “Do you agree?” then you can specify that you don’t agree or you're not really sure yet and you’ll need time to review the information you got during the meeting.