Free or Low-Cost Dyslexia (and more)Testing for Homeschool and Private School Families
Wanting Dyslexia Testing That is Covered by Insurance or Medicaid? Or Free Dyslexia testing? We’ve got you! 💟
Free and Low-Cost Learning Disability testing does exist! Here’s what I’ve learned by helping families get the testing they need to help their children thrive.
As a homeschool or private school parent, you might be concerned that your child has a specific learning disability (SLD), such as dyslexia or dysgraphia. However, navigating the process of getting your child tested can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding your options for free or low-cost testing. Maybe you’ve been told that your school district doesn’t test kids who attend homeschool or private school (not true!). Or you’d like to find Dyslexia testing that is covered by insurance or Medicaid.
“I reached out to the school district and they said they don’t test homeschool kids”
☝️Sound familiar? Many parents that I speak with have had this experience and then they don’t know where to turn. Maybe private testing is not within in their budget or the wait list is too long. Then, I usually get asked, “Can I pay for your testing services with insurance?”.
We will explore why SLD testing is not typically covered by insurance, how to seek reimbursement through Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), the myths surrounding public school testing for homeschooled children, and the advantages of private testing.
Keep reading to grab a FREE DIY form letter that can help increase your chances of getting an evaluation request accepted by your school district.
✖️Why Dyslexia Testing is Not Covered by Insurance
One of the biggest hurdles for parents seeking Specific Learning Disability (SLD) testing is understanding why these tests are not typically covered by insurance. The main reason is that insurance companies often categorize these tests as EDUCATIONAL and not MEDICAL. This can be pretty confusing because other conditions that affect learning such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) do often have evaluations covered by insurance.
Since SLDs like dyslexia are seen as educational issues that affect learning and academic performance, they fall outside the realm of what insurance companies consider medically necessary.
It is always worth checking with your specific insurance company to see what they say, but because it is such a rare occurrence — like unicorn-rare — many evaluators do not accept insurance! Those that I have spoken with, myself included, have found that either we can’t get paid easily or, more likely, can’t even be considered as a “provider”.
1️⃣Getting Reimbursed for Testing Costs Using Your FSA Account 💰
One other option to consider is reimbursement through your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). An FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover medical expenses, including some psychological and educational testing. Here are some steps to improve your chances of getting reimbursed:
Obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity: Request a letter from your child’s pediatrician or a licensed psychologist stating that the evaluation is medically necessary for diagnosing and treating your child’s condition. While your pediatrician can’t test for Dyslexia themselves, they may be able to find it a “medical necessity” based on your child’s need for development and general well-being.
Submit Detailed Documentation: Provide itemized receipts and a comprehensive report from the evaluator that outlines the necessity and outcomes of the testing.
Check FSA Plan Guidelines: Review your FSA plan’s guidelines to ensure that educational testing is an eligible expense. Contact your FSA administrator for clarification if needed.
While reimbursement is not guaranteed, following these steps can increase the likelihood of receiving funds from your FSA to cover SLD testing.
2️⃣Testing Through the School District: Busting the Myth
A common myth among homeschool families is that public schools are not required to test homeschooled children for SLDs. In fact, you may even have been told this by someone at the district.
This is simply NOT true.
Under the Child Find mandate of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004, public school districts are obligated to identify, locate, and evaluate all children suspected of having disabilities, including those who are homeschooled.
Most homeschool parents who have attempted to get testing through their district have encountered two problems: 1) the person on the phone told them, “We don’t do that”. 2) their written request was denied.
Keep reading for help with both of these issues!
Here’s HOW you can navigate the process of getting your child tested through the school district:
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with IDEA 2004 and the Child Find mandate to understand the school district’s responsibilities. Often, your school district will have its own document that includes phrasing like “procedural safeguards” or “parental rights”. Try Googling your state’s name and those phrases. These documents will include information that you will find helpful! Here’s the one for Texas: https://www.spedtex.org/resources/notice-procedural-safeguards
Consistent Follow-Up: Be persistent in your communications with the school district. Follow up regularly to ensure your request is being processed.
Contact the Right People: Start by contacting the central placement unit or the school your child would attend if they were enrolled in public school. Request to speak with someone knowledgeable about Child Find and special education services. While many parents are told to call the campus their child would attend, the staff that answers the phone may not always have the full picture. Most of the time, testing for kids who don’t attend school is done at the “district” level rather than the campus level.
It is best to look for the district department called “special education”, “special services” or “student support”, and start calling people there.
Your main goal for the call is to get a name, not a yes for testing. You want the name of the person who “schedules Child Find testing services for children who are homeschooled”. You might also add, “I think my child might have a learning disability, and I want to have them tested through the district. I am sending my request and writing and would like to know who I should email.” Don’t ask, tell!
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS 👉Send Your Request in Writing: A written request is crucial. It creates a formal record of your request and triggers the school district’s obligation to respond. Also, if you’re not exactly sure who to email, you might want to CC a contact from each of the following places:
The principal of the campus your child would attend if they were in public school
The school counselor at that school
The head administrator of the Special Education Department
An educational diagnostician, school psychologist — sometimes called an L.S.S.P. — or a Speech Pathologist (L.S.P.) affiliated with the district. You can often find this through Google or even on the Special Education website for the district.
But what should you include in the letter? We can help with that! 👇
To help you with this, we offer a free, form letter designed to get noticed by your school district. This template can significantly increase your chances of having your evaluation request accepted. Fill out the Form to Recieve your Done-For-You Letter HERE!
3️⃣ Leveraging Free Testing Options to Save Money
Many parents are surprised to learn that public schools are obligated to provide evaluations for homeschool and private school children. While these evaluations are free, they often focus on basic scores with the purpose of “qualifying” a child for services, and may not provide a complete picture of your child's needs. However, these initial assessments can be a valuable starting point.
Combining Free and Private Testing for a Complete Evaluation
By strategically combining free testing from your school district with private evaluations, you can obtain a more detailed and actionable understanding of your child’s learning needs. This approach not only saves money but also ensures that you’re fully equipped to provide the right support for your child’s education, whether they’re homeschooled or in a traditional school setting.
After receiving the district’s report, you can take it to a private evaluator who can delve deeper into areas the school may have overlooked. By using the district's free testing as a foundation, you can save hundreds of dollars on the overall cost of a private evaluation.
Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services helps you understand the district's findings and identify what additional information might be needed to fully support your child’s learning needs. It costs about 60% less than a full evaluation but has many of the same benefits (learn about our full evaluations here). The initial consultation is to let you know what I can provide, and it’s free.
Free Dyslexia Screenings (Or other screenings)
In addition to school district testing, you might find free dyslexia or other screenings available through community organizations, universities, or online resources. These screenings, while not diagnostic, can be incredibly useful:
Early Detection: Screenings can help you get a preliminary "yes" for further testing, increasing the likelihood that the school district will approve a full evaluation.
Supplementary Data: If you pursue a private evaluation, these screening results can supplement the formal testing, potentially reducing the need for additional assessments and saving you money.
At Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services, we offer screenings that can provide a helpful first step in identifying potential learning disabilities. Even better, if you choose to move forward with a full evaluation, we apply the cost of the screening towards the full evaluation fee—if you schedule the evaluation within 30 days of receiving the screening results.
Read more about our screening services here and our full evaluations here to understand how we can help your child succeed.
4️⃣Why Private Testing May Be a Better and More Convenient Option
The Benefits of Private Testing
While public school evaluations are a valuable resource, private testing offers several advantages:
Convenience: Private evaluations can often be scheduled more quickly and at times that are convenient for your family.
Comprehensive Reports: Private evaluators typically provide more detailed and comprehensive reports, which can be invaluable in understanding your child's needs.
Specialized Expertise: Private evaluators often have specialized training and experience in diagnosing specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Read more about the benefits of A Clever Cogs’ Evaluation and the Beyond a Label Framework
Schedule a Free Consultation
At Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services, we offer personalized support to help you navigate the evaluation process. Whether you’re considering private testing or need help writing a detailed request letter for your school district, we're here to assist.
While we can’t guarantee that every school district will agree to testing, we can provide you with the tools and knowledge to advocate effectively for your child’s needs.
👉Conclusion
Securing an evaluation for your homeschool child can be challenging, but it’s a crucial step in identifying and addressing learning disabilities like dyslexia. By understanding your rights, leveraging available resources, and being persistent, you can ensure your child receives the support they need.
Remember, whether you choose to pursue testing through the school district or opt for a private evaluation, the goal is to provide your child with the best possible educational support. For more guidance and resources, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services.
Grab your free, form letter designed to get noticed by your school district. This template can significantly increase your chances of having your evaluation request accepted. Fill out the Form to Recieve your Done-For-You Letter HERE!
💜I’d love to chat with you. Whether you have already had testing, are just shopping, or don’t even know where to begin. Schedule a FREE Call.
Other Posts That Might Interest You:
“The Truth About Letter Flipping and Dyslexia: What Every Parent Needs to Know”
“Dyslexia and Math” Why kids with Dyslexia also have a hard time in math.
“What is an Evaluation” Understanding Tests for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and more.
