Listen to the trailer for Season 1 of Understood Explains, which covers the ins and outs of the process school districts use to evaluate kids for special education. Host Dr. Andy Kahn is a psychologist who spent nearly 20 years evaluating kids for schools. He explains each step of the process and gives tips on how to talk with your child along the way.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about Understood Explains and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts.

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Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Is your child struggling in school? Are you wondering what supports might help? This episode explains the basics of how schools evaluate kids for special education. Host Andy Kahn is a psychologist. He talks with educator Julian Saavedra about looking for kids’ strengths as well as their weaknesses. Andy also trades tips with parenting expert Amanda Morin on what to say to your child along the way.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• What is an evaluation for special education?
• 6 benefits of having your child evaluated
• Different terms you may hear for evaluations
• Parent training centers: A free resource in your state

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

How do schools decide if a child needs an evaluation? And what role do families play? Host Dr. Andy Kahn explains common reasons to evaluate now — or to wait. Educator Julian Saavedra addresses special education myths that can affect what families decide to do. And parenting expert Amanda Morin offers tips on how to talk to kids about next steps.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• Deciding on an evaluation
• Are your child’s struggles serious enough for an evaluation?
• What is response to intervention (RTI)?
• 10 special education myths you may hear

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

What rights do families have in a school evaluation? This episode highlights five key ways that special education law protects your rights during the evaluation process. Host Dr. Andy Kahn talks with lawyer Andrew M.I. Lee about what to do if you think the school isn’t following the rules. And parenting expert Amanda Morin gives tips on what to avoid saying to your child about any disputes with the school.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• Evaluation rights: What you need to know
• You disagree with the school’s evaluation results. Now what?
• Independent educational evaluations: What you need to know
• 10 smart responses when the school cuts or denies services

Downloadable letter templates and talking points

• Sample letters for requesting evaluations and reports
• Sample letters for dispute resolution
• Sample scripts for dispute resolution

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

School evaluations are free — and you can ask for one at any time and for any reason. But the details you include when you ask can make a big difference. Host Dr. Andy Kahn and education advocate Christina Gutierrez explain how to request an evaluation and how soon the school needs to respond. Parenting expert Amanda Morin also shares tips on what to say to your child about requesting an evaluation — and what not to say.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• 6 steps to requesting a free school evaluation
• Download: Sample letters for requesting evaluations and reports
• Why your child’s school may deny your evaluation request
• Parent training centers: A free resource in your state

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

What happens during a school evaluation? And what role do families play? Host Dr. Andy Kahn and school psychologist Brittney Newcomer explain who’s on the school evaluation team, what they do, and how you can help shape the evaluation plan for your child. Parenting expert Amanda Morin also offers tips on how you can help your child get ready for the evaluation. (Hint: The answer does NOT involve any studying!)

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• Preparing for an evaluation
• The school evaluation process: What to expect
• Who’s on the evaluation team at your child’s school
• Should your child study for a special education evaluation?
• Download: Sample letters for things like accepting or rejecting an evaluation plan
• Video: Inside a dyslexia evaluation

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

The first time you look at your child’s evaluation report, you might be overwhelmed. What do all of those numbers mean? And are some numbers more important than others? Host Dr. Andy Kahn unpacks this topic with Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten, who co-wrote Straight Talk About Psychological Testing for Kids. Get tips on how to make sense of the results. And hear from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to share the evaluation findings with your child.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• Understanding evaluation results and next steps
• What evaluation testing results mean
• 5 conversation starters for discussing an evaluation report with teachers
• 6 ways kids might respond to an evaluation result
• Parent training centers: A free resource in your state

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Adverse impact. Eligibility determination. IEPs. 504 plans. What are these things? And what do they have to do with how school evaluation teams decide which kids need which supports? Listen as host Dr. Andy Kahn and special education teacher Lauren Jewett explain what happens after the evaluation report is done. And get tips from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to talk with your child about next steps.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Related resources

• What to expect at an IEP eligibility meeting
• The 13 disability categories under IDEA
• The difference between IEPs and 504 plans
• 10 smart responses when the school cuts or denies services
• Parent training centers: A free resource in your state

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give