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If you have a student who constantly struggles with executive function challenges—missing assignments, avoiding teachers, feeling overwhelmed by school—you may have already tried tutoring, therapy, or even medication.
If nothing seems to help, it may be time to explore a structural change to their education plan.
Whether you’re a parent trying to advocate for your child or a general education teacher feeling overwhelmed by a student who needs more support than you can provide, knowing how to request a special education evaluation is key.
Let me show you how 👇
Why a Special Education Assessment is Critical for Students with Executive Function Challenges
Some students need more than just extra reminders or modified assignments.
If a student struggles with:
Planning,
Organization,
Task initiation,
or other key executive function skills
And, despite repeated interventions, they continue to struggle, they may require formal accommodations or services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
A special education assessment determines eligibility for an IEP or 504 Plan.
Learn more about the difference between an IEP and 504 plan in this article.
One challenge that both parents and educators face is that ADHD, which is often the root cause of executive function difficulties, is not recognized as a standalone disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
ADHD often flies under the radar because it doesn’t fit neatly into any of the specific categories under IDEA.
To qualify for special education services, ADHD has to be categorized under a broader category like Other Health Impairment (OHI) or Specific Learning Disability (SLD).
This is significant because research, including studies by John Hattie, has shown that ADHD can have one of the greatest negative impacts on a student’s ability to succeed in school.
Students with ADHD may struggle with:
organization,
attention,
task initiation,
and completing work on time
These are all key components of executive function—yet their struggles might not always be recognized as the underlying issue, limiting their access to the proper support.
This is why it’s critical for parents and educators to be vigilant and advocate for the services and assessments these students need, instead of downplaying the need with comments like:
He just needs to put in more effort.
She doesn’t care.
He needs to learn to take ownership of his education.
An assessment ensures that the child is properly evaluated for the right accommodations and support to help them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Without an accurate assessment and the appropriate interventions, students will continue to struggle with their challenges.
Common Reasons Parents and Teachers Avoid Requesting an Evaluation
Lack of Awareness About the Evaluation Process
Many parents and teachers don’t realize they have the right to request an evaluation.
Some believe only the school can initiate this process, but both parents and educators can advocate for it.
Schools are legally required to respond to a formal request, but if no one submits one, struggling students may continue to go unnoticed.
Uncertainty About How to Request an Evaluation
Some parents send emotional emails out of frustration, while teachers may bring up concerns in meetings without knowing they need to submit a formal request.
Without a clear process, evaluations can be delayed for months. Understanding how to document concerns and formally request an assessment can help move things forward faster.
Fear of Stigma or Labeling
Parents may worry about their child being labeled with a disability, while teachers may hesitate to recommend an evaluation out of concern that it will upset the family.
Some fear that a diagnosis will impact the student’s future opportunities.
However, avoiding an assessment only prolongs their struggles and denies them the support they need.
Here is how you can take action as a proactive parent or engaged educator.
Step-by-Step Guide to Requesting a Special Education Evaluation
Step 1: Document the Student’s Challenges
For parents, this means keeping track of specific struggles at home, such as avoiding homework, needing excessive reminders, or shutting down when asked to complete tasks.
Write down what you’ve tried—tutoring, different routines, behavioral strategies—and why they haven’t worked.
For teachers, this means documenting classroom behaviors like missing assignments, difficulty following multi-step directions, inability to start or complete work independently, or extreme frustration with tasks requiring organization.
Keep notes on any interventions you’ve tried and their results. This data will strengthen the request for an assessment.
Step 2: Write a Formal Request for an Evaluation
Parents should send this request to the school’s special education administrator. Keep it short and clear.
State that you formally request a comprehensive evaluation for special education services, outlining the executive function challenges you’ve observed.
For a template you can fill in with your unique situation, check out our article, How to advocate for executive function coaching services (as part of the IEP).
Teachers can write a request to the special education department or the school psychologist, documenting the student’s struggles and why interventions haven’t been enough.
Many schools require a Student Study Team (SST) meeting first, but a formal request should be made if delays persist.
Step 3: Check the Legal Timeline for a Response
Each state has a required response timeline for evaluation requests.
In most states, schools must respond within 15 school days to either begin the process or provide a written explanation for denial.
Parents and teachers should be aware of these deadlines to ensure follow-up if needed.
Step 4: Review the School’s Assessment Plan
If the school agrees to evaluate the student, they will send an assessment plan outlining which areas will be tested.
Parents should review this carefully and specifically request executive function testing if it isn’t included.
Teachers can support this by ensuring concerns about executive function challenges are clearly documented and discussed in meetings.
If the school denies the request for an evaluation, they are legally required to provide a written explanation detailing the specific reasons for the denial.
This explanation must include the data or observations they used to make their decision.
Parents and teachers should carefully review this response and, if necessary, challenge the decision by requesting a meeting, providing additional documentation of the student’s struggles, or filing a formal complaint with the district or state education agency.
Step 5: Request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) If Needed
If the school’s assessment does not accurately reflect the student’s challenges or does not qualify them for services, parents have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) by an outside professional.
If the school denies this request, they must provide a written reason.
Teachers can encourage families to explore this option if the results seem incomplete.
The Bottom Line
Watching a student struggle with executive function challenges while trying every solution with no real progress is frustrating.
Without the right school-based support, they’ll keep facing the same roadblocks, making school a daily battle.
The good news is that parents and teachers don’t have to wait for someone else to take action—there is a clear process to follow.
1. Document the student’s struggles and past attempts to get support.
2. Write a formal request for an evaluation.
3. Check your state’s response deadlines.
4. Review the school’s assessment plan and request additional evaluations if needed.
5. If necessary, request an independent evaluation for a second opinion.
Hope this helps 🤙
P.S. If you want to work on executive function skills with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and growing my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.