School Accommodations and IEPs: How Evaluations Support Educational Success
by Dr. Lisandra Mendoza
When your child is struggling in school, falling behind in reading, missing deadlines, or feeling overwhelmed by the workload, it’s easy to feel stuck and unsure what comes next. You may wonder: Is this just a phase? Am I asking too much? How can I best support them?
At Avatar Cognitive and Behavioral Center, we believe that with the right support and accommodations, every individual can achieve their goals. Neuropsychological and psychological evaluations help illuminate that path for each person, both adults and children. For kids, these evaluations help us document strengths, uncover hidden challenges, and guide meaningful educational supports like Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans.
Here we’ll explore why evaluations matter, how they support school accommodations and IEPs, and practical steps you can take to advocate for your child’s educational success.
Why we need evaluations (and why they make a difference)
School-based evaluations can be helpful, but they often focus narrowly on academic performance, eligibility, and classification. They specialize in giving you a clear picture of how your child is performing and behaving at school.
Comprehensive neuropsychological or psychological evaluations go deeper. They help clarify why a child struggles, not just that they struggle. These types of evaluations produce a fuller picture of how your child learns, thinks, and processes stress, which is essential for recommending accommodations that truly support your child.
A neuropsychological evaluation goes deeper into how the brain works by assessing areas like attention, memory, problem-solving, and learning. A psychological evaluation looks at overall emotional, behavioral, and mental health functioning, including aspects like mood, anxiety, personality, and coping skills. Both provide valuable insights that can help providers, parents, and school personnel create stronger education plans that are more precise and more likely to help your child thrive.
Understanding IEPs, 504 Plans, and school accommodations
IEPs
An IEP is designed for students who qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It’s more intensive and tailored to meet both academic and functional needs.
Eligibility: Students must have a documented disability that affects their ability to learn in a general education classroom. Examples include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities, visual impairment, or other conditions that substantially impact learning.
Services: Includes specialized instruction, accommodations or modifications to existing curricula, and sometimes related services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling.
IEPs features:
Specific and measurable annual goals
A detailed outline of services and supports
Regular progress tracking related to specific goals
Meetings with a team that includes parents, teachers, and specialists to determine the services, supports, and goals.
504 plan
A 504 Plan falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education through accommodations. It is often less intensive than an IEP and does not replace curriculum or instruction.
Eligibility: Students with any disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities (like learning, reading, concentrating, or walking) can qualify. The disability does not have to affect learning as severely as for an IEP.
Services: Provides accommodations to remove barriers in the classroom. Examples include:
Extra time on tests
Preferential seating
Modified assignments
Assistive technology
504 Plan Features:
Accommodations are clearly listed
Implementation is typically overseen by the general education teacher
Review and updates usually occur annually
Together, IEPs and 504 plans are legal tools to level the playing field, but a student must first be determined eligible to receive one of these, and a student must have evidence of the need for the plan. That’s where evaluations come in.
How evaluations support educational success
Documenting eligibility & need:
An evaluation provides the objective data needed to prove that a disability (or neurodevelopmental difference) substantially impacts learning in the public-school setting. This documentation is essential for qualifying for an IEP or 504 plan and helping school teams set up needed adjustments for your child to be successful.
Targeted school accommodations:
Since the evaluation reveals which cognitive processes are affected (e.g., working memory, processing speed, executive control), the psychologist can recommend personalized accommodations, such as extended time, quiet testing rooms, use of graphic organizers, chunking tasks, or audio supports, that align with your child’s precise profile.
Tailored interventions:
Accommodations help, but sometimes the student also needs skill-building: cognitive strategies, executive functioning coaching, emotional regulation tools, or study routines. Evaluations guide those interventions by identifying both strengths and gaps.
Informed advocacy:
Detailed evaluation reports help you provide school personnel with a better understanding of your child. They can also give you the language, context, and recommendations to help you advocate for supports and services that are tailored to your child’s needs.
Tracking progress & adjusting course:
Evaluations are not a one-time fix; they are a benchmark for your child at that point in time. Later re-assessments or follow-up data help verify growth or adjust supports as your child evolves.
What happens during an evaluation
Many parents find it helpful to understand the evaluation process. While it varies by provider, here’s a typical flow:
Intake & interview: The psychologist will speak with you and your child to gather their history, learning, behavior, emotional struggles, medical background, and learning environment.
Record review: The evaluator will examine your child’s existing school records, past assessments, IEPs/504s, work samples, teacher reports, and more.
Testing sessions: Over several sessions, your child completes a series of tasks and answers questions to help the evaluator assess their cognitive, academic, attention, memory, and executive functioning. Typically, these sessions are scheduled to accommodate your child’s age and attention span. As their parent, you may also complete questionnaires regarding your child.
Scoring & interpretation: The raw scores are interpreted in light of developmental norms, cognitive profiles, and real-life functioning. The evaluator will make a diagnosis if applicable and identify your child’s strengths as well as areas they will need support.
Feedback & reporting: You’ll receive a comprehensive report and meet with the psychologist to review it. They will explain their findings and offer concrete recommendations that you can take back to the IEP/504 team at your child’s school.
How can school accommodations help?
When a student’s unique brain is understood and their needs and strengths are supported, positive changes are possible:
Students may feel more confident and motivated in their learning.
Anxiety and frustration can lessen when expectations better match their needs.
Teachers and parents gain tools to work together with shared strategies.
Barriers are lowered, opening more space for growth and success.
Tips for navigating the IEPs/504 journey
Begin early: If you suspect that your child may need additional support at school or may have a delay or disability, submit a written request for evaluation to the school administration or special education department.
Document everything: Keep a documentation folder of all school communication regarding your child (e.g., emails, phone calls, and meetings), as well as your child’s work samples and assessments.
Ask for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): If you disagree with the school’s evaluation, you may rightfully request an independent one.
Be collaborative, but be firm as you advocate for your child: You’re on the same team, and your child’s success should be the entire team’s goal.
Follow up: Support should be reviewed annually and adjusted as needed.
Interested in a neuropsychological or psychological evaluation for your child?
At Avatar CBC, we believe every learner deserves clarity, respect, and the tools to succeed. Neuropsychological and Psychological Evaluations provide those insights by revealing strengths, diagnosing hidden barriers, and guiding intentional, individualized support
If your child’s educational journey feels stuck or confusing when it comes to getting them the support they need, our team is here to help.
Contact Avatar Cognitive and Behavioral Center today to schedule a Neuropsychological or Psychological Evaluation
