[Shryke]

It's my opinion that I would chew out any school official who told me my 7 year old girl had to undergo psych tests in order to have her epilepsy dog with her. Rational response? Probably not. Me caring more about my child's mental well being than some stupid procedure? Definitely.

[johnfrink]

I agree the psychological test part is inane. My guess is that is part of the IEP process, and in her case would consist of a few short questions and that's all.

But you've got to understand why that is. My wife teaches special ed, and has told me about countless issues where a child will come in needing special services in, say, reading, and it will turn out that the child is suffering from some serious psychological trauma. You would not believe the freaky stuff that schools uncover while doing very routine testing for academic problems.

I'm not saying that is the case here--I'm saying there are good reasons in many cases for requiring those tests, and while it seems silly in this girl's case, she unfortunately is paying for the sins of other people.

I mean, I know it's absurd that I have to take an eye exam to get my driver's license renewed, but I also understand the reasons for that policy.

[luckystarmom]

They don't. I wish I had my IEP forms, but parents can opt out of the testing and still have an IEP.