How a Pennsylvania Public School Evaluates Your Child for Autism

Two different questions about the same child

Maybe a teacher has mentioned that your child plays alone at recess, or struggles when the class routine changes. Asking the school to take a closer look is an ordinary and sensible step, and Pennsylvania gives parents a clear way to do it. It helps to know first that a school evaluation and a clinical diagnosis answer different questions.

A clinical diagnosis asks whether a child is autistic. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that health care providers diagnose autism by evaluating a person's behavior and development, using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

A school evaluation asks whether a child is eligible for special education. Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a child with a disability is one who is evaluated as having a listed disability, autism among them, and who, by reason of it, needs special education and related services. So the school looks at learning and school life, not only at the condition. This article is general information, not legal advice.

How IDEA describes autism for school purposes

The IDEA regulations describe autism as a developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, is generally evident before age three, and adversely affects a child's educational performance. They list other characteristics often associated with it, such as repetitive activities and movements, resistance to change in routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.

Two more points in that definition are worth knowing. A child whose signs become noticeable after age three can still be identified as having autism if the criteria are met. And the autism category does not apply if a child's educational performance is adversely affected mainly because of an emotional disturbance, as the regulations define it.

Putting your request in writing

Under 22 Pa. Code § 14.123, parents may request an evaluation at any time, and the request must be in writing. The school must make its permission to evaluate form readily available for that purpose.

If you raise it out loud, for example with a teacher or principal, the rule says that staff member must give you a copy of the permission to evaluate form within 10 calendar days. Writing from the start keeps a clear record. A simple approach:

1. 1Write a short, dated letter or emailSay that you are requesting a special education evaluation and that you would like autism considered. Address it to the principal or the district's special education office, and keep a copy.
2. 2Describe what you seeGive a few concrete examples from home and school, such as how your child handles conversation, friendships, changes in routine or noise. Examples help the team decide what to look at.
3. 3Mention anything you already haveIf a doctor has raised autism, or your family has a private evaluation, say so. You decide whether to share the report itself.

Your consent and the 60-day clock

The school cannot start an initial evaluation without your informed consent. The IDEA rules say the school must give you notice and obtain your consent first, and that consent to an evaluation is not consent to special education services. Agreeing to the evaluation does not commit your child to anything.

Under § 14.123, the initial evaluation must be completed, and a copy of the report given to you, no later than 60 calendar days after the school receives your written consent. The days from the day after the last day of the spring term up to the day before the first day of the fall term are not counted.

When the school is considering autism, the group that reviews the evaluation results must include a certified school psychologist. You should receive the evaluation report at least 10 school days before the IEP team meeting, unless you waive that in writing, so you have time to read it and write down questions.

If your child is younger than school age

Autism signs can show in toddlers. If you have concerns about a young child, talk with your pediatrician; NIMH says caregivers should talk to their child's health care provider about autism screening or evaluation.

You can also contact Pennsylvania's Early Intervention program, which serves children from birth to age five with developmental delays and disabilities, at no cost to families. The state says to contact Pennsylvania Statewide CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288, and the family will be referred to a local Early Intervention program for a developmental screening and, if appropriate, an evaluation.

Where a private evaluation fits

A private evaluation is one your family arranges to understand your child more fully, at home as well as at school. NIMH notes that a school's special education team may perform an initial evaluation and then recommend further evaluation by a primary health care provider or a provider who specializes in autism.

If you share a private evaluation, the IDEA rules say the school must consider the results, if the evaluation meets the school's criteria, in decisions about your child's education. The school team still makes its own eligibility decision. Before you arrange anything, ask the district what it already plans to assess and what an outside report would need to include.

How we can help

If you are still deciding whether to ask anyone, our autism signs checklist is an informal list that can help you decide whether to talk to someone. It is not a screening test, it is not validated and it cannot diagnose.

Locascio Wellness offers a child autism evaluation by secure video. Evaluations are offered only to people physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona during appointments, and a parent or guardian arranges it and takes part. It usually involves an intake appointment, then one or two sessions, then the written report, which at the moment is usually ready about a month after the first evaluation appointment.

Evaluations are private-pay and are not billed to insurance. A sliding scale is available, and you can read about what evaluations cost. We cannot promise a school will accept or act on a report, so ask your district what it needs and share that with us. To start, use the short evaluation request form, noting any school meeting dates, or book a free 15-minute consultation.

We do not offer autism therapy, ABA, speech or occupational therapy. A diagnosis may open other supports that families arrange with their doctor or school. For ongoing emotional support, therapists on our team offer child therapy and teen therapy by video. If your child is in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.