The parent had participated in several intervention meetings about her child and was frustrated because nothing was happening.  She approached me.

“I heard that you are a school psychologist.  I don’t know what to do to get my child help.”

I handed her a paper and dictated a short request for assessment. 

“Doesn’t it need to be more formal?” she asked.

“No.”

“This is all I have to write?”

“Yes.”

She dated it, signed it and turned it in.  She received an assessment plan the next week and the evaluation was completed the following month.  Her child qualified for services.

My blanket advice to all parents in special education regarding requests or concerns is this:

1. Put it in writing.
2. Date it.
3. Sign it.
4. Take a picture.
5. Turn it in.

You want an assessment?

Different goals?

Meeting?

Disagreement with results?

1. Put it in writing.
2. Date it.
3. Sign it.
4. Take a picture.
5. Turn it in.

This is not being adversarial. 

This is being a clear communicator. 

This also is setting up a timeline for response. 

This is what is best for the child.