Tests and Evaluations

Most kids with serious emotional disturbances are evaluated using a battery of psycho educational tests. These tests help the educational consultant, teachers, administrators, and parents determine the best course of treatment for their child.

Not all programs require tests before admitting a child and some programs do the testing themselves. In fact, one of the best reasons to send a child to a wilderness program is that those programs can often assess the child in a day-to-day situation that might be missed in a standardized written test. 

What are these tests?

Among the most commonly given tests are:

• Wechsler Intelligence
• Stanford Binet test
• Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities
• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
• Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III)
• Sentence completion tests
• Rorschach test
• Tests for specific conditions or disabilities, such as ADD, ADHD, or dyslexia

How much do they cost?

Prices vary from $2,000-$4,000, depending on the test, who administers it, and who evaluates the results.

Who pays for the tests?

It depends. Your local school district might order them as part of the Individual Education Plan process. In that case, the school district pays for them.

If you want to have any of these tests administered, you pay for it yourself.

How long does it take to schedule a test?

In Los Angeles, we hear a child can wait 3 months for a test. If you suspect your child needs evaluation, get the process started as soon as possible.

How do I apply for testing for my child?

If you want to have your child tested, you need to send a letter requesting a test to your child's principal. Here is a sample letter.

What if I disagree with the school's evaluation?

If you do not agree with the results of an evaluation, you have the right to obtain an independent educational evaluation (IEE). An IEE is conducted by qualified people who are not employed by the school. The school district must provide parents with a list names of possible examiners. The district must either provide the IEE at no cost to the parents or initiate a due process hearing to show that its evaluation was appropriate. If the result of the hearing is that the district's evaluation is appropriate, parents still have the right to obtain an IEE, but not at school district expense.

What if my child attends a private school?

If your child attends a private school and you believe she may have a learning disability as defined by IDEA, your local school district may be required to pay for testing and evaluation. For more information, see this informative article from Pacer.

Where can I get more information on testing?

An educational consultant will be able to give you a better idea of the types of tests you should consider.

Next: Educational Consultants

Has your child been through a battery of tests? What was your experience? Let us know in the Comments section below. Or join the discussion in the Community Forum.