Your Child Deserves a Complete Evaluation
If you feel the school evaluation missed something, you are probably right. We provide thorough, independent evaluations and stand behind our findings at IEP meetings.
We hear you. When the school says your child is "fine" but you know something is not right, it is frustrating. Our comprehensive independent evaluations dig deeper to find what your child actually needs.
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Stacey Cames, CCC-SLP · 20+ Years · 500+ FamiliesPresent and defend our findings
Not influenced by district budgets
Not a quick rubber stamp
Qualified to stand behind results
We Do Not Just Write a Report and Walk Away
We attend your child's IEP meeting to present our findings and advocate for the services your child needs. The school district must consider our independent evaluation when making decisions about your child.
Parents Who Fought for Their Children
"The school kept telling me my son was just 'a little behind.' Their evaluation said he didn't qualify for services. I knew something was wrong. The independent evaluation found significant language delays the school had missed."
"I felt dismissed every time I raised concerns. The school's 30-minute evaluation said everything was 'within normal limits.' The independent evaluation took multiple sessions and found issues with pragmatic language and auditory processing that explained everything I was seeing at home."
What Makes an Independent Evaluation Different?
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is conducted by a qualified professional who does not work for the school district. This matters because our only focus is your child, not the district's budget or timeline.
What School Evaluations Often Miss
- Limited testing due to time constraints
- May use screening tools instead of comprehensive tests
- Evaluator may have caseload of 50+ students
- Pressure to minimize eligible students
- Brief observation periods
- Focus on eligibility, not on what child actually needs
What Our Independent Evaluation Provides
- Thorough testing across all speech-language areas
- Multiple sessions (about 1 hour each) to see the full picture
- Objective perspective with no district influence
- Detailed recommendations for specific services
- Focus solely on what your child needs
- We attend the IEP meeting to present findings
Your Right to an Independent Evaluation
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you have the legal right to request an independent evaluation at public expense if you disagree with the school's evaluation. The district must either pay for the IEE or prove in a hearing that their evaluation was appropriate. They cannot simply say "no."
When to Request an Independent Evaluation
Trust your instincts. If something feels off about the school's evaluation, you may be right to seek an independent assessment.
The Evaluation Felt Rushed
School evaluations are often squeezed into tight timelines. If testing took less than an hour or seemed incomplete, important issues may have been missed.
Your Child Was Found "Not Eligible"
When you see daily struggles at home but the school says your child does not qualify for services, an independent evaluation can provide the comprehensive data needed to demonstrate their needs.
Results Do Not Match What You See
You know your child best. If the evaluation results do not reflect the difficulties you observe every day, something may have been overlooked.
You Want Specific Recommendations
School evaluations often stop at "eligible" or "not eligible." Our reports include detailed, specific recommendations for intervention that guide the IEP team.
Services Were Cut or Reduced
If the district wants to reduce or eliminate services but you still see your child struggling, an independent evaluation can provide current data on their needs.
You Need Someone in Your Corner
IEP meetings can feel like you against the district. We attend the meeting to present our findings and explain exactly what your child needs.
Not Sure If an Independent Evaluation Is Right for Your Child?
We can review your situation and help you understand your options - at no cost and no obligation.
Our Thorough Evaluation Process
We take the time to get a complete picture of your child's abilities. This is not a quick screening - it is comprehensive testing designed to find what your child actually needs.
Contact Us and Request IEE
Call or email to discuss your situation. We help guide you through submitting a written request to your school district for an IEE at public expense.
Review Records
We thoroughly review your child's educational records, previous evaluations, IEP documents, and any other relevant information to understand their history.
Complete Testing
Testing occurs over more than one session, about 1 hour each. This allows us to assess all areas thoroughly and see your child on different days.
Receive Comprehensive Report
You receive a detailed written report with test results, clinical observations, diagnostic conclusions, and specific recommendations for services and IEP goals.
Attend IEP Meeting
We attend your child's IEP meeting to present our findings, answer questions from the team, and advocate for the services your child needs.
What Our Comprehensive Evaluation Covers
We test all areas of speech and language development to provide a complete picture - not just the minimum required for eligibility.
Articulation Assessment
Standardized testing of all speech sounds in different positions (beginning, middle, end of words) and in conversation. We identify error patterns and determine stimulability for treatment.
Receptive Language
Assessment of your child's ability to understand spoken language, including following directions, understanding vocabulary, answering questions, and comprehending complex sentences.
Expressive Language
Evaluation of how your child uses language, including vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, storytelling abilities, and age-appropriate language skills.
Fluency Assessment
Analysis of speech fluency including stuttering behaviors, secondary characteristics, and impact on communication. Assessment of attitudes toward speaking when appropriate.
Voice Evaluation
Assessment of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, and resonance. Identification of any voice disorders that may impact communication or require medical referral.
Pragmatic (Social) Language
Evaluation of social communication skills including turn-taking, topic maintenance, understanding nonverbal cues, conversational skills, and perspective-taking abilities.
Detailed Written Report with Actionable Recommendations
Every evaluation includes a comprehensive written report that can be defended at an IEP meeting. The report is written in clear language and includes:
- Background information and developmental history
- Standardized test scores with interpretation
- Clinical observations and language samples
- Diagnostic impressions and severity ratings
- Specific, actionable recommendations for services
- Suggested IEP goals when appropriate
- Recommendations for frequency and duration of services
Know Your Rights Under Federal Law
The District Cannot Simply Say "No"
When you request an IEE at public expense, the school district has only two choices: agree to pay for it, or file for a due process hearing to prove their evaluation was appropriate. They cannot delay indefinitely, require meetings first, or make the process so difficult that you give up.
Key Rights Protected by IDEA
- Right to Request: You can request an IEE at public expense any time you disagree with the district's evaluation of your child.
- District Must Respond Promptly: The district cannot delay or avoid your request. They must act "without unnecessary delay."
- Results Must Be Considered: The IEP team is required by law to consider the IEE results when making decisions about your child's services.
- Choose Your Evaluator: While the district may provide a list, you can select any qualified evaluator who meets their criteria - you are not limited to their list.
- One IEE Per Evaluation: You are entitled to one IEE at public expense each time the district conducts an evaluation you disagree with.
What to Do If the District Pushes Back
Some districts may try to discourage IEE requests or make the process difficult. Know that:
- They cannot require you to explain why you disagree
- They cannot require a meeting before responding to your request
- They cannot limit you only to evaluators on their list if other evaluators meet their criteria
- If they are not responding appropriately, contact us - we can help guide you through the process
IEE vs. Private Evaluation: Understanding Payment
IEE - District Pays
When you disagree with school evaluation:
- Request IEE at public expense
- District pays directly for evaluation
- No insurance claims or copays
- No out-of-pocket cost to parents
- Report goes to district and parents
- We attend IEP meeting to present findings
Private Evaluation - Insurance Pays
When seeking evaluation for other reasons:
- Not related to school disagreement
- For private therapy planning
- Insurance billed (if accepted)
- Subject to deductibles/copays
- Report belongs to parents
- Can share with school if desired
Not Sure Which Applies to You?
If you have received an evaluation from the school district and you disagree with the findings, you likely qualify for an IEE at no cost to you. Call us at (707) 366-5246 and we will help you determine the best path forward for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We conduct a completely independent, thorough evaluation regardless of what the school found. Our testing is comprehensive and often takes longer than school evaluations. We have no relationship with the school district and no incentive to confirm their findings. Our only focus is accurately identifying your child's needs.
Many parents come to us after school evaluations that seemed incomplete or inaccurate. In many cases, our comprehensive testing reveals issues that were missed or underestimated in the school's evaluation.
Yes. Unlike many evaluators who just send a report, we attend your child's IEP meeting to present our findings directly to the team. We explain our test results, answer questions from school staff, and advocate for the services our evaluation shows your child needs.
This is one of the most valuable parts of our service. Having an independent expert at the table changes the dynamic of the meeting and ensures our recommendations are clearly understood and considered.
When you request an IEE at public expense because you disagree with the school's evaluation, there is no cost to you - the school district pays for the evaluation directly. Our IEE rates meet district criteria and typically range from $800-$1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of testing needed.
If you choose to get a private evaluation (not an IEE), costs may be covered by insurance or paid privately. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Our evaluations are conducted over multiple sessions, typically about 1 hour each. This allows us to:
- See your child on different days when they may present differently
- Complete comprehensive testing without rushing
- Reduce fatigue effects that can skew test results
- Get a more accurate picture of your child's true abilities
The complete timeline from initial contact to completed report is typically 4-8 weeks, depending on district response time and scheduling.
Unfortunately, some districts try to discourage IEE requests or make the process difficult. Remember:
- You do not have to explain why you disagree with their evaluation
- They cannot require a meeting before responding to your request
- They must respond "without unnecessary delay" - they cannot stall indefinitely
- They can only deny your request by filing for a due process hearing
We can help guide you through this process. Call us at (707) 366-5246 and we will discuss your situation and help you advocate for your child's rights.
The IEP team is required by law to consider the IEE results when making decisions about your child. While they are not legally required to adopt every recommendation, the independent evaluation carries significant weight - especially when we attend the meeting to present and explain our findings.
In practice, comprehensive IEE reports with detailed recommendations often lead to improved services because they provide clear, defensible evidence of what the child needs.
Serving Dixon, Solano County and Surrounding Areas
We provide Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) for families throughout Solano County and surrounding communities:
Dixon - Vacaville - Fairfield - Davis - West Sacramento - Woodland - Winters
We work with school districts throughout the region including Dixon Unified, Vacaville Unified, Fairfield-Suisun Unified, Davis Joint Unified, and others.
Office location: 255 N. Lincoln St. Suite A, Dixon, CA 95620
Get the Evaluation Your Child Deserves
You have fought hard for your child. Let us help with a thorough, independent evaluation and someone in your corner at the IEP meeting.
- Free initial consultation - no obligation
- Help navigating the IEE request process
- Comprehensive, multi-session evaluation
- We attend IEP meeting to present findings
- Response within 24 hours
Or call us directly:
(707) 366-5246
