Consideration should be given to the child's current and historical functioning. The parents, private professionals, and school staff all have the right to make a referral for evaluation for eligibility for special education. The school must then do the evaluation, or explain to the parents the reasons the school is not doing the evaluation and inform the parents of their right to request a hearing to challenge the school's decision. If the school agrees to do the evaluation, it must be done at no cost to the parents. If the school requires a medical evaluation, it must be provided at no cost to the parent.
Parents have the right to obtain a private evaluation at any time, at their own expense.
Parents may request a private evaluation at district expense if the district has conducted an evaluation that the parents are dissatisfied with. The school then must either agree to pay for the private evaluation or request an impartial due process hearing to prove that the district evaluation was appropriate. For educational purposes, local school district policy determines whether a medical evaluation is required. The school may require an evaluation, in which case it must pay for it. Of course, a medical evaluation may also be desirable, as it can rule out other causes for the problem and determine if medication would be an appropriate of the child's treatment.