I just sent in a letter based on a LD website asking for testing (nonspecific request), and listed symptoms DS is experiencing. He already has the gifted dx and I signed something last school year, but I think it was just permission for setting up services (they didn't test him, we submitted our private records and they just added him to the gifted program, which he is now out of altogether).
Thanks for the timeline notice. I was thinking we could get testing for LD through the school, but if we need a neuropsych to dx dysgraphia, the school would not be able to diagnose that, correct? We could still use them for SLP perhaps. Or try to get OT help with. But I didn't mention anything about SLP problems in my letter or request specific services.
The school will not Dx dysgraphia mainly because the school operates under federal IDEA law, not DSM classifications. If the school comes up with a dysgraphia-type classification, it will be "specific learning disability in reading and writing", or words to that effect. But school personnel absolutely have the training (will and clinical competence, I can't speak to) to do a comprehensive evaluation that results in need identification and service provision appropriate to dyslexia/dysgraphia.
How long ago did you send in the request letter? The school should respond to you within 10 school days (five, in some states).
If you want the school to do testing, when the permission comes, see if it has what you want on it. If not, check the box that says, "I consent, and request these additional tests," then list the additional assessments (SLP, OT). You can also refuse permission for specific listed assessments, and consent to the others. Do follow up with a phone call to explain why, though. If I receive a consent form with a little note from the parent written on it, with a phone number or email, I always contact them for more info.
