Understanding Your Evaluation Report

Read the story before the scores

1. 1

   Start with the referral question and background

   Check that the report describes your child and your concerns accurately. Ask in writing for errors in the history to be corrected.

2. 2

   Look for patterns across data, not one number

   Scores are usually given as standard scores or percentiles, often with ranges. A consistent pattern across tests, settings, and reporters means more than one low score.

3. 3

   Ask how diagnoses were reached and alternatives considered

   A useful report explains why a diagnosis does or doesn't fit and which other explanations were considered.

4. 4

   Turn recommendations into named people, actions, and timelines

   For each recommendation, write down who will act on it, whether the school, a clinician, or you, and by when.

Questions worth asking