Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)

We Meet The Needs Of Working Families While Providing Speech Therapy in a Variety of Locations across Texas and Arizona.
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Helping Families Better Understand Their Child’s Educational Needs

When parents have concerns about a school evaluation or feel additional information is needed to fully understand their child’s strengths and challenges, they have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).

At Speaking of Speech and Language Therapy, LLC, we provide comprehensive, family-centered Independent Educational Evaluations in the areas of speech-language and occupational therapy. Our evaluations are designed to provide meaningful insight, practical recommendations, and legally defensible data to help families advocate for appropriate educational supports and services in both Arizona and Texas.

Serving Families in Texas and Arizona

Speaking of Speech and Language Therapy, LLC proudly provides Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) for families in both Texas and Arizona.

Texas Service Areas

We proudly provide Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) for families throughout Johnson County and surrounding communities within approximately a 50-mile radius.

  • Johnson County

  • Tarrant County

  • Ellis County

  • Hill County

  • Parker County

  • Hood County

  • Somervell County

  • Bosque County

  • Dallas County

  • Denton County

  • Wise County

  • Kaufman County

  • Navarro County

Arizona Service Areas

We also provide Independent Educational Evaluations for families in Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding areas, including:

  • Phoenix

  • Avondale

  • Goodyear

  • Glendale

  • Peoria

  • Surprise

  • Buckeye

  • Litchfield Park

  • Scottsdale

  • Mesa

  • Chandler

  • Gilbert

  • Tempe

Services may be available in-clinic, through teletherapy, community-based settings, or in collaboration with local schools depending on the needs of the child and family.
Our team understands both Texas and Arizona special education processes and provides evaluations designed to support families in navigating educational services, eligibility decisions, and individualized recommendations.

What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation completed by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district responsible for your child’s education.
An IEE may be requested when a parent:
  • Disagrees with the results of a school evaluation
  • Feels the evaluation was incomplete
  • Believes important concerns were overlooked
  • Needs additional information regarding diagnosis, eligibility, services, or educational impact
  • Wants a second opinion from an outside specialist
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have important rights regarding evaluations and access to educational services which allows them to obtain a second opinion without the out-of-pocket cost.

Parent Rights Under IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives parents the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation if they disagree with a school district’s evaluation.

IDEA 34 CFR §300.502 — Independent Educational Evaluation

Under IDEA:
  • Parents have the right to obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense if they disagree with an evaluation obtained by the public agency.
  • School districts must either:
    • Agree to fund the IEE, or
    • File for due process to show their evaluation was appropriate.
An IEE can provide additional information regarding:
  • Communication abilities
  • Educational impact
  • Functional performance
  • Assistive technology needs
  • Sensory and regulation challenges
  • Classroom participation
  • Access to curriculum
  • Social communication and peer interaction
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Who Benefits From an IEE?

An Independent Educational Evaluation may benefit children who:
  • Are struggling academically or socially
  • Have limited verbal communication
  • Use or may benefit from AAC devices
  • Demonstrate speech or language delays
  • Have Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Have sensory processing or regulation challenges
  • Are minimally verbal or nonverbal
  • Have complex communication needs
  • Are not making expected educational progress
  • Have difficulty accessing classroom instruction
  • Need clarification regarding special education eligibility or services
  • Don't fit the textbook definition of certain diagnoses
Our families benefit from:
  • Objective outside input
  • Detailed recommendations
  • Clear explanations of findings
  • Increased understanding of their child’s needs
  • Support during ARD/IEP meetings

Services We Provide

Speech-Language Evaluations

Our speech-language IEEs assess communication skills that impact educational performance and daily functioning, including:

Areas Evaluated

  • Expressive language
  • Receptive language
  • Speech articulation
  • Speech intelligibility
  • Social/pragmatic communication
  • AAC and assistive technology needs
  • Fluency/stuttering
  • Voice and resonance
  • Functional communication

Occupational Therapy Evaluations

Our occupational therapy IEEs evaluate skills related to school participation, independence, and regulation.

Areas Evaluated

  • Fine motor skills
  • Visual motor integration
  • Sensory processing
  • Emotional regulation
  • Executive functioning
  • Self-help skills
  • Attention and participation
  • Handwriting
  • Adaptive functioning
  • Classroom accessibility and participation

Evaluation Components

  • Standardized testing
  • Parent interviews
  • Teacher input
  • Clinical observation
  • Sensory and functional assessments
  • Educational impact analysis

How Is an IEE Different From a Traditional School Evaluation?

 

Traditional School Evaluation
Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Conducted by school district staff
Conducted by an independent outside evaluator
Often focused on determining eligibility
Provides additional insight and recommendations
May be limited by district resources or timelines
Allows for a more individualized and comprehensive review
School district determines testing procedures
Independent evaluator selects appropriate assessment tools
Typically focused on school-based concerns
Evaluates educational, functional, and real-world impact
Recommendations may vary by district resources
Recommendations are based on clinical and educational need

 

An IEE is not intended to replace the school evaluation. Instead, it provides another professional perspective that can help families and school teams make informed decisions regarding supports and services.

Why Families Choose Us

At Speaking of Speech and Language Therapy, LLC, we understand that navigating special education services can feel overwhelming.
Families choose our team because we:
  • Specialize in pediatric communication and developmental needs
  • Have expertise in AAC and complex communication needs
  • Have experience in both school-based settings and private practice environments
  • Understand how communication, sensory, and functional deficits impact educational performance and access to the curriculum
  • Recognize the connection between clinical deficits and adverse educational impact within the school setting
  • Provide compassionate, family-centered care
  • Understand special education eligibility and evaluation processes in both Texas and Arizona
  • Deliver detailed, easy-to-understand reports
  • Offer practical and meaningful recommendations
  • Collaborate with families and educational teams
Our combined experience in school settings and private practice allows us to evaluate the whole child across educational, functional, social, and real-world environments. This provides families and educational teams with a more comprehensive understanding of how a child’s challenges may negatively impact academic progress, classroom participation, peer interactions, communication, independence, and overall access to educational opportunities.
Our goal is to help families feel informed, empowered, and supported throughout the evaluation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Request an Independent Educational Evaluation

If you have concerns about your child’s school evaluation, educational progress, communication abilities, or access to services, we are here to help.
Our team provides compassionate, comprehensive Independent Educational Evaluations designed to help families better understand their child’s needs and advocate for appropriate support.
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