Ever had your kid evaluated outside of school and the results just didn’t sound the same as what the school said? Yeah, that happens a lot. It can be a real head-scratcher for parents, leaving you wondering what to believe.
Been there, done that. As a parent and someone who helps families like yours, I get it. And I want to help you make sense of it all.
Why the Confusion?
Think of it like this: doctors and schools speak different languages.
Doctors use a big book (The DSM5) with tons of specific labels for different challenges (for insurance purposes) kids might have.
Schools have a shorter list of categories they use to figure out what extra help a kid might need.
Sometimes, what the doctor says doesn’t fit perfectly into what the school uses. But don’t worry! That doesn’t mean your child won’t get the support they need. We just need to translate doctor talk into school talk.
Making Sense of It All
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Trouble with reading, writing, or math: School calls it a Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
ADHD (trouble focusing): School calls it Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Feeling anxious, down, or having a hard time adjusting: School calls it Other Health Impairment (OHI) or Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD)*
Trouble with speech: School calls it Speech-Language Impairment
It’s Not Just About School Stuff
Remember, kids need more than just help with schoolwork. They need help with their feelings, how to get organized, and how to get along with others.
Keep in Touch!
I’ll be doing a free online chat soon to talk more about this stuff and give you some tips. Follow my emails and social media to find out when.
Got Questions?
This blog is for you, so tell me what you want to know more about. Send me an email at info@soareduservices.com. Your feedback helps me know what’s important to you.
*we try not to use this elgilbilty especially for BIPOC.
From Chaos to Collaboration℠