How to Request Evaluation from the School District
If you or someone you know thinks your child may have a disability and needs special education or related services to be involved in and make progress in school, then an evaluation for special education eligibility may be appropriate. To learn more, click here.
Any parent who obtains a full explanation of the school’s evaluation findings and recommendations, and still disagrees with the school’s justification for their proposed IEP services and placement, may request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) – limited to one IEE per year in any area of concern to the parent. The parent has the opportunity to choose the evaluator and the school must provide the IEE at no cost to the parent. For more information, click here.
Autism
Below are some neurodiversity affirming resources for Autism, including information for autistic children and adults and their families:
https://www.affirmingneurodiversity.com/resources–support.html
What is Autism? http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/what-is-autism/
This is Autism (an almost poetic piece about the subjective experience of being autistic): http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/this-is-autism/
Neurotypical Therapists working with Neurodivergent people: http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurotypical-psychotherapists-and-neurodivergent-clients/
Autism and the Pathology Paradigm:
http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/autism-and-the-pathology-paradigm/
Blog of Amy Sequenzia – Non Speaking Autistic Speaking: http://nonspeakingautisticspeaking.blogspot.com/
Blog of Elizabeth (Ibby) Grace: Grace Notes (Ask an Autistic)
http://tinygracenotes.blogspot.com/
How “Autism Warrior Parents” Harm Autistic Kids – http://www.theestablishment.co/2016/09/22/how-autism-warrior-parents-harm-autistic-kids/
Parenting Autistic Children with Love and Acceptance, official blog: http://autloveaccept.wordpress.com/
Respectfully Connected – another parent-oriented blog: http://respectfullyconnected.com/
We Are Like Your Child: http://wearelikeyourchild.blogspot.com/
The Neurodiversity Paradigm
https://neuroqueer.com/what-is-autism/
Neurodiversity Affirming Books
Books for Children:
Just Right for You by Melanie Heyworth
Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap: NT is okay! by Clay Morton and Gail Morton
My Wandering Dream Mind by Merriam Sarcia Saunders and Tammie Lyon
Lulu is a Rhinoceros by Jason Flom, Allison Flom and Sophie Corrigan
The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon
The Rainbow Brain by Sandhya Menon (for the AuDHD brain)
Some Brains by Nelly Thomas
Books for Adults:
Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life by Cynthia Kim
Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman
The Neurodiverse Workplace: An Employer’s Guide to Managing and Working with Neurodivergent Employees, Clients and Customers by Victoria Honeybourne
Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Pryzant
We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia
The Grace Autism & Neurodiversity Center
If you have a child who is Autistic or has ADHD and are searching for an approach that values their uniqueness will teach them self-acceptance and self-advocacy while providing a safe community, then the Grace Autism & Neurodiversity Center is the place for you. It was founded by Grace Psychological Services’ director, Dr. Reyes-McDonald, who is also neurodivergent. Visit the website here: www.graceautismcenter.com.
Other Psychologists
Dr. John Nomura is a Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst-Doctoral, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. He provides thorough assessments using gold-standard instruments.